The Key with Inside Higher Ed

Ep. 161: Higher Ed’s Struggling Workforce

13 snips
Jun 18, 2025
In this conversation, Kevin McClure, a Professor at UNC Wilmington and expert in higher education workforce dynamics, discusses the current struggles facing the academic workforce. He highlights the effects of hiring freezes and funding cuts on staffing and recruitment, revealing a decreasing ability to attract new talent. McClure also dives into the vital role of shared governance in addressing these issues, suggesting that participatory practices could be key to revitalizing the sector. Plus, he shares insights on the emotional toll these challenges have on educators and students alike.
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INSIGHT

Hiring Freezes Impact Work Conditions

  • Hiring freezes in higher education restrict new hires and create ripple effects on working conditions like travel and student jobs.
  • Institutions face uncertainty impacting internal funding and staffing, stretching resources thin.
INSIGHT

Policy Erodes Higher Ed Careers

  • Policy choices have demoralized educators, making it harder to recruit new talent to higher ed.
  • This may cause a generational loss of scholars and artists, impacting the nation's cultural and scientific future.
INSIGHT

Pay Challenges Threaten Workforce

  • Faculty salaries falling behind inflation worsen financial insecurity in academia.
  • Staff face even greater pay struggles in costly college towns, threatening workforce sustainability.
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