Graduate students in Chemistry, Math and Physics have organized two professional development workshops for the Spring 2015 term. The first of these workshops focused on the tenure process. ůůֱ²¥â€™s own ůůֱ²¥ of Math presented a revealing look at a process that can often seem obscure, even to graduate students training for academic careers.
Beginning with a brief history of the tenure system, ůůֱ²¥ Traynor then carefully defined its many terms and explained in detail each of the steps leading up to becoming a professor with tenure. In addition, she also offered advice about balancing the various demands of a teaching career, research and departmental service and offered strategies for how best to stay on track throughout the reappointment process and on through tenure approval. Throughout, ůůֱ²¥ Traynor entertained questions from the graduate students, maintaining the frank and open dialogue that is a hallmark of graduate education at ůůֱ²¥.
ůůֱ²¥ Traynor has been teaching at ůůֱ²¥ since 1993 and was promoted to Full ůůֱ²¥ in 2006. She also serves on the Committee on Appointments at ůůֱ²¥ College and so was able to offer a look at the tenure process from the administrative side.