COACHE

Faculty are essential to the success of our university and academic mission. To better understand the needs of our faculty, the University of Cincinnati (UC) has partnered with Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE). For more than 10 years, COACHE has worked with more than 250 academic institutions to survey faculty and identify themes associated with faculty satisfaction.

Every four years, the Office of the Provost partners with the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) to assess faculty needs and satisfaction. The resulting survey focuses on key areas such as teaching, research, and recognition, aiming to enhance the faculty experience and support the university’s mission.

The university launched the 2026 COACHE survey in February. 

2022 Survey
During the most recent survey, UC faculty completed the COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey in the Spring of 2022. Results were received and reviewed by the COACHE Executive Team in the Fall of 2022. Results presented areas of strength and areas for development.

According to faculty, strengths are clarity of tenure expectations, personal and family policies and       promotion to full professor. Identified opportunities for development are appreciation and recognition, departmental engagement and quality, and leadership.

As a result of key findings, leadership development programming has been developed and launched as well as new faculty recognition efforts. 

2019 Survey
UC faculty completed the COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey in the Spring of 2018. Results were received and reviewed by the COACHE Executive Team in the Fall of 2018. Results presented three areas of strength and three areas for development. According to the faculty, our strengths are departmental collegiality, faculty leadership, and tenure policies. Areas for development include departmental leadership, interdisciplinary work, and mentoring.

During the spring 2019 semester, through a peer and self-nominated process, six working groups were formed that corresponded to our three areas of strength and three areas for development. These groups reviewed the COACHE quantitative and qualitative data in detail, conducted follow up interviews, and benchmarked practices at our peer institutions to create a set of recommendations in May 2019.

Visit the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education website to learn more.

Informed by faculty input through the 2019 COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey, and UC Women Lead's 2019 faculty project, the Office of the Provost implemened strategic initiatives to support faculty in teaching, research and service. These efforts focus on:

• Leadership Development
• Mentoring
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Collegiality

Unit Head Training is being held to provide leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to be effective leaders. Deans, associate deans and unit heads participate in leadership retreats, each semester, to hone leadership skills and align strategic priorities with our strategic direction, Next Lives Here. Leadership workshops as well as a mentoring program for new faculty are now available through the Faculty Enrichment Center.