Hope Tempered by Reality: Integrating Public Engagement into Promotion and Tenure Decisions

Abstract

Expanding the role of public engagement, service, and outreach in the promotion and tenure process entails changing the values embedded in the campus culture. This case study of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign illustrates that incremental changes can eventually lead to a campus culture supportive of public engagement. Critical to increasing the value of public engagement is the role of chancellors and presidents in setting a vision and providing a sympathetic context.