Lees-McRae College
AC-10: Support for Sustainability Research

Omega Projects required for all Wildlife Biology students.

This capstone research course involves data collection, analysis and
presentation. Oral and written presentations will be required.

1.2 Faculty Appointment and Promotion Criteria
The following are minimum requirements for consideration of appointment to faculty rank.

Academic programs in a number of fields, particularly professional programs and the creative, visual and performing arts, often benefit
from faculty whose accomplishments and significant professional experiences are outside the academy. An earned bachelor’s degree with
exceptional qualifications (as attested to by years of professional experience directly applicable to the teaching assignment) and regionally and nationally recognized accomplishments in areas such as publications, awards, performances, honors and scholarly/professional activity or
possessing professional certifications in the field may act in lieu of the master’s/terminal degree. The faculty’s performance-related experience
must be directly related to their teaching assignment and documented by the
School Dean. Promotion in rank is based upon outstanding performance demonstrated over time. A faculty member may perform satisfactorily at a given academic rank without necessarily warranting promotion to a higher rank. Consideration for promotion will be given to those recognized as
outstanding teachers who are engaged in assigned responsibilities, scholarship, and service activities of high quality.
The demonstration of achievements for promotion and contract conversion is understood to be cumulative. For those who have received
a promotion at Lees-McRae College or another institution of higher learning, this means since the time of application for the last received
promotion. For those without prior service, this means since appointment at Lees-McRae College. Longevity alone is not a basis for promotion.
When a promotion is being considered, a history of sustained professional achievements is expected. The higher the rank of the faculty
member, the greater is the level of expectation for performance and leadership.

1.2.1 Instructor Qualifications and Experience
An Instructor must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a major in the teaching discipline or
a master’s degree and at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline. In exceptional cases, outstanding professional
experience and demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline may be presented in lieu of formal academic preparation. The
academic school in which the faculty member will be housed must justify such exceptions. Evidence of successful teaching and/or
related work experience, the promise of engaging in scholarly and professional activities, commitment to the values of the College, and
the ability to contribute to the mission and strategic goals of the College are required. Instructors new to the College will be assigned
the Instructor rank.

1.2.2 Associate Instructor Qualifications and Experience
An associate instructor must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a major in the teaching
discipline or a master’s degree and at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline. Six years of successful college
teaching at the Instructor level and/or directly related work experience, demonstrated excellence in teaching, engagement in scholarly
and professional activities, commitment to the College values, and contributions to the mission and strategic goals of the College are
required. Instructors may only be appointed to the associate instructor rank by undergoing the peer-review process at Lees-McRae
College.

1.2.3 Senior Instructor Qualifications and Experience
A senior instructor must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a major in the teaching discipline
or a master’s degree and at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline. Ten years of successful college teaching at the
instructor and/or associate instructor levels and/or directly related exceptional work experience, demonstrated consistent excellence
in teaching, engagement in scholarly and professional activities, commitment to College values, and contributions to the mission and
strategic goals of the College are required. Instructors may only be appointed to the senior instructor rank by undergoing the peer-1.2.4 Assistant Professor Qualifications and Experience
An assistant professor must hold a terminal graduate degree, usually the earned doctorate, from a regionally accredited institution in
the appropriate discipline. In some disciplines, the master’s degree in the discipline may be considered the terminal degree, such as the
MFA or the MLS; in others, a master’s degree in the discipline, coupled with a doctoral degree in a related discipline, may be considered
appropriate. The academic School in which the faculty member will be housed must justify the master’s degree or master’s degree
coupled with a related doctorate, as the terminal degree for the faculty member. Evidence of successful teaching and/or related work
experience, the promise of engaging in scholarly and professional activities, commitment to the values of the College, and the ability to
contribute to the mission and strategic goals of the College are required.

1.2.5 Associate Professor Qualifications and Experience
An associate professor must hold a terminal graduate degree, usually the earned doctorate, from a regionally accredited institution
in the appropriate discipline. Six years of successful college teaching at the assistant professor level and/or directly related work
experience, demonstrated excellence in teaching, engagement in scholarly and professional activities, commitment to the College
values, and contributions to the mission and strategic goals of the College are required. Generally, faculty new to the College may only
be appointed to the associate professor rank if the rank was achieved through a peer-review process at a previous institution.

1.2.6 Professor Qualifications and Experience
A professor must hold a terminal graduate degree, usually the doctorate, from a regionally accredited institution in the appropriate
discipline and have ten years of successful college teaching and/or directly related exceptional work experience. Demonstrated
consistent excellence in teaching, engagement in scholarly and professional activities, commitment to College values, and contributions
to the mission and strategic goals of the College are required. Faculty new to the College may only be appointed to the professor rank
if the rank was achieved through a peer-review process at a previous institution.

The library does not have ongoing support for sustainability research.

We do have materials in our collection on the subject but we do not have any of the listed examples.