Assessing Efforts and Policies Related to the Recruitment and Retention of Minority Faculty at Accredited and Non-accredited Journalism and Mass Communication Programs

Abstract

Accredited and non-accredited journalism and mass communication programs participated in a nation-wide Web survey (45% completion rate) designed to assess minority faculty recruitment; retention structures, plans, or programs; promotion efforts and policies; and day care/child care support topics. Results indicate stark differences persist between accredited and non-accredited units regardless of state compositions and university size/composition. Recommendations orbit policy motions. More directives in efforts to increase, retain, and promote minority faculty should exist; various governing bodies should work together on establishing and helping enforce those directives to enhance faculty member diversity; and reward systems for minority faculty recruitment and retention efforts should be expanded.