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Florida Polytechnic University Proposes Non- Tenure Model For New Faculty

May 2, 2013

As Florida Polytechnic University begins its faculty recruitment efforts, the Academic Affairs Committee has proposed that the university adopt a non-tenure model.

Instead of tenure, or tenure-track, new faculty members will sign fixed term, multi-year contracts. The contract length will be for either nine or twelve months and may be renewable.

“This model ensures a fair and equitable review process that allows us to recruit and maintain talented faculty,” said Sandra Featherman, Ph.D., Chair of the committee.

Ghazi Darkazalli, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs at Florida Poly agrees, and thinks the model will help attract top talent.

“There are many benefits of following a non-tenure track. It allows us the versatility for faculty to prove themselves outside the boundary and conditions set by the tenure process,” he said.

Darkazalli expects the first faculty member to be announced in June. Classes will begin in August 2014.

The committee will present their recommendations to the full Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 7.

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.