The role of adjunct faculty in future engineering education

Abstract

Adjunct engineering faculty are being utilized to a greater extent in engineering education for a variety of reasons. When utilized properly, they can be a valuable asset to engineering programs in their efforts to prepare future engineers for professional engineering practice. Adjunct faculty from industry typically possess an abundance of real world experiences which can enhance student learning. Recent changes in ABET accreditation criteria and educational initiatives by professional societies like ASCE have provided justification for the use of adjunct faculty to provide a more complete educational experience for engineering students. This paper discusses the use of adjunct faculty in engineering education and provides recommendations regarding adjunct faculty as a way to better prepare future engineers for engineering practice. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2008.