Reaching the pinnacle of one's academic career, achieving tenure, is a significant milestone in the life of a professor. It signifies years of hard work, dedication, and contributions to the academic community. However, tenure is not the end of the road; it is merely a waypoint in an ongoing journey of academic growth and development. Post-tenure review is a crucial process that ensures faculty members continue to excel and evolve in their roles. In this blog post, we will explore the key elements that make up a post-tenure academic portfolio, offering insights and guidance to help faculty members navigate this important phase of their career.

The Responsibility of Faculty Members:

Before we delve into the components of a post-tenure academic portfolio, it's essential to emphasize the responsibility of faculty members in this process. It is the faculty member's duty to maintain and update their dossier to ensure completeness, accuracy, and currency. Now, let's take a closer look at the items that typically go into a post-tenure academic portfolio.

• Post-Tenure Review Overview Document:
  The heart of your portfolio, this document provides an overview of your instructional, research and creative activity, and service statements. Think of it as a narrative that tells the story of your academic journey over the past five years. Highlight key accomplishments, innovative teaching methods, research breakthroughs, and notable service contributions. Be sure to connect these achievements to your institution's mission and values.
• Current CV:
  Your Curriculum Vitae is a comprehensive record of your academic and professional accomplishments. Ensure it is up-to-date, including publications, presentations, awards, and any other relevant information. A well-organized CV is essential for reviewers to assess your contributions effectively.
• Annual Assignments:
  Include a summary of your annual assignments for the five-year review period. This section provides a context for your workload and demonstrates how you have fulfilled your academic responsibilities.
• Sabbatical Activities:
  If you took a sabbatical during the review period, provide a final report detailing your activities. Explain how the sabbatical contributed to your professional growth, research, or teaching methods. This demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and development.
• Annual Evaluations:
  Include annual evaluations from the past five years. Highlight your strengths, areas of improvement, and any adjustments made based on feedback. Use these evaluations as evidence of your commitment to continuous improvement.
• Student Perceptions of Instruction:
  Incorporate student feedback, including comments, for all courses taught during the review period. This not only showcases your teaching effectiveness but also demonstrates your responsiveness to student needs and concerns.
• Promotion and Tenure Criteria:
  Include the current approved Promotion and Tenure Criteria for your college and department, as well as the university-wide criteria. This ensures that your portfolio aligns with the institution's expectations and standards.
• Annual Evaluation Standards and Procedures:
  Provide the current approved Annual Evaluation Standards and Procedures for your institution. Demonstrating your awareness of and adherence to these standards reflects your commitment to transparency and accountability.

Navigating the post-tenure academic portfolio can be a complex and time-consuming task, but it is a vital part of the academic journey. Your portfolio represents not only your accomplishments but also your dedication to your institution and the academic community. By ensuring that your dossier is complete, up-to-date, and accurate, you are taking a proactive step in demonstrating your ongoing commitment to excellence. Remember, post-tenure review is not the end; it's a new beginning, an opportunity for continued growth, and a chance to inspire the next generation of scholars. Embrace it, and let your academic journey flourish.