Introduction

Contingent faculty members at institutions of higher education often find themselves underpaid, underemployed, and undervalued by their employers. As the numbers of contingent faculty swell, most notably at community colleges and teaching institutions, it is vital that campus administrators and other leaders involved in hiring faculty assess their campus’s strengths and growth areas in terms of how contingent faculty are treated and then make decisions accordingly. Arguably, by making the work environment of contingent faculty more materially, professionally, and socially equitable, campus leaders will take the important step of enhancing the learning outcomes and academic of their institutions. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.