Securing Faculty Engagement in Professional Development Programs

This chapter examines the persistent challenge of motivating faculty to engage meaningfully in professional development. It identifies barriers to participation (including time constraints, heavy workloads, unclear communication, and limited institutional incentives) and considers how these factors intersect with faculty values and organizational culture. The chapter outlines strategies for increasing engagement, such as aligning programs with institutional missions as well as integrating professional development into evaluation structures, and fostering a culture of recognition and support. Emphasis is placed on the role of leadership in modeling engagement, the importance of needs assessments, and the design of flexible programming that meets faculty where they are. By framing engagement as both a personal investment and a collective institutional value, the chapter argues that sustained participation requires not only strong programming but also cultural transformation in how faculty development is prioritized.