Collaborative On Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE)

Kent State University has participated in the COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey since 2015. This national survey, led by a research initiative operating from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, represents a collective of institutions committed to collecting the data necessary to recruit, retain, and enhance the work experiences of faculty. Unlike other climate studies at Kent State that have focused on faculty, students and staff, COACHE focuses on uniquely faculty issues, delving into topics like support for teaching, research and service, shared governance, and appreciation and recognition for their work.

Message from the Provost:

Thank you to all the full-time faculty from all campuses who participated in the Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey that was conducted from February to April 2022. A Kent State COACHE Advisory Group, which consists of faculty and administrators from across the university, has been working to analyze the results of the survey to inform and improve the lives of Kent State Faculty. For benchmark reporting purposes, a cohort of 84 COACHE partners was identified by COACHE as similar to our institution and five peer institutions were selected by the Advisory Group. The infographic below depicts an overview of the survey results.

At Kent State we are committed to continuous improvement. Our outstanding faculty are a valuable resource, and we are dedicated to faculty success. I also sincerely thank the academic community at large for their work and participation in the outcomes of the survey that were identified as institutional strengths. The concerns identified are opportunities for our dedicated team of faculty and faculty administrators to work together to improve the work life for all Kent State faculty. We will continue to create programs, strategies, and opportunities to enhance the work life of faculty.

My best, 

Melody Tankersley, Ph.D. (she/her)

Senior Vice President and Provost

COACHE Facts and Figures
Past Highlights

The results of our 2015 COACHE survey showed that associate professors wanted more access to mentoring, and we responded by creating an institutional mentoring and coaching program focused specifically on associate professors. After 2018, this initiative was broadened to pre-tenure and non-tenure track faculty and included career coaching and a series of faculty success workshops, sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Center for Teaching and Learning. Additionally, all academic leadership has undergone training to help them better understand issues such as unconscious bias and how that can impact faculty success.

Current COACHE Advisory Group Members

Stavros Atsas – Director, Equity Assessment and Impact  
Denise Bartell – Associate Provost, Academic Affairs
Ginger Bihn-Coss – Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Ed Dauterich – Professor, English
Shannon Helfinstine – Associate Director, Assessment, AAL
Tracy Laux – Senior Lecturer and Faculty Senate Chair
Jenny Marcinkiewicz – Associate Professor, Biological Sciences and Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
Mandy Munro-Stasiuk – Professor and Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Susan Perry – Associate Provost, Institutional Effectiveness  
Sarah Smiley – Professor, Geography
Linnea Stafford  – Director, Institutional Research 
Sean Veney – Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Kevin West – Associate Provost, Faculty Affairs
Nicole Willey – Professor, English and Associate Director, Center for Teaching and Learning

Any questions about the COACHE survey or process can be directed to assessment@kent.edu.