Fourteen faculty members at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts have earned promotions through the school’s new Faculty Advancement Plan.
The Faculty Advancement Plan is designed to empower faculty members to reach their full potential through goal-setting and recognition of excellence. In addition to developing depth within their content area, the plan emphasizes breadth and balance across three domains — academic, service and professional achievements. It provides a financial benefit for those who complete the process.
The plan establishes three faculty ranks — Instructor, Instructor of Distinction and Instructor of Excellence. Instructor is the entry-level rank for all new full-time faculty members. Instructors may apply for either of the higher ranks by attaining points based on a rubric that takes into account the faculty members’ campus involvement and accomplishments both within and outside of the classroom.
Faculty base salary is determined by the level of degree they hold upon being hired — $47,000 for a bachelor’s degree, $53,000 for a master’s degree and $60,000 for a doctoral degree.
By earning higher ranks, educators may increase their base pay by as much as $10,000. Faculty members who attain the Instructor of Distinction designation have an additional $5,000 added to their base salary. Those who earn the Instructor of Excellence rank receive an additional $5,000. An educator may forgo the Instructor of Distinction rank and apply directly for Instructor of Excellence, which requires additional points in the rubric, and earn a $10,000 increase in their base salary.
As many schools districts struggle with teacher shortages, the Faculty Advancement Plan is a proactive approach to ensure ASMSA’s faculty compensation remains competitive on the state and national level.
“ASMSA is fortunate to have exceptional faculty who build and sustain their careers as part of our community of learning,” said ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice. “While the school does not face the same recruitment and retention challenges of many public school districts, we want to ensure our educators are recognized for their commitment to ASMSA’s special mission both in their service and salary.”
Discussions on the development of a Faculty Advancement Plan began about three years ago. ASMSA’s enabling legislation previously stated that teachers could not hold tenure nor rank. Act 354 of 2021 of the Arkansas General Assembly struck the language about rank. The ASMSA Governing Council subsequently began work on developing a draft plan for the program. Through the work of a select committee, the plan was completed, submitted to the University of Arkansas System for direction and comment, and later approved by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees at its May 2022 meeting.
Faculty members were able to submit an application for consideration for the first time this fall. Application deadlines were September 1, and each one was considered by the Faculty Advancement Committee.
The committee approved promotions for 14 faculty members to be considered for the rank of Instructor of Excellence. Those promotions were approved by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees at its November meeting.
Faculty members who were granted the rank of Instructor of Excellence, their highest degree, and their department included:
- Carl Frank, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;
- Caleb Grisham, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;
- Whitney Holden, Ph.D., Science;
- Bryan Ieamsang, Master of Arts, Arts and Humanities;
- James Katowich, Master of Fine Arts, Arts and Humanities;
- Dan Kostopulos, Ph.D., Arts and Humanities;
- Patrycja Krakowiak, Ph.D., Science;
- Walt Levisee, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;
- Ron Luckow, Master of Arts, Arts and Humanities;
- Nicholas Seward, Master of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science;
- Shane Thompson, Master of Science, Science;
- Jack Waddell, Ph.D., Science;
- Lindsey Waddell, Ph.D., Science; and
- Brad Wreyford, Master of Fine Arts, Arts and Humanities.
“To earn the Instructor of Excellence rank through our Faculty Advancement Plan, faculty members must demonstrate excellence in three domains: academic instruction, service, and professional development,” said Stuart Flynn, dean of academic affairs at ASMSA. “The application process is rigorous and requires applicants to review thoroughly their teaching practices and to think deeply about the arc of their careers.
“As the Faculty Advancement Committee reviewed applications, we were impressed by the quality of work demonstrated by these instructors and the commitment they showed not only to their individual students but also to the larger ASMSA community. I am proud to work alongside such accomplished and dedicated teachers, and I congratulate all of them on this significant achievement.”
The ranks will officially go into effect on January 1, 2023.