Growing Throughout Your Career

Tenure, Promotion and Governance

DU values the contributions of faculty in all series. Faculty in the Teaching and Professional Tracks have institutionalized opportunities to seek promotion, governance participation, and leadership roles. Tenure Track faculty comprise a large percentage of our faculty, and tenure is taken seriously. The VPFA’s office and leadership in each college and unit work to provide transparent standards for tenure and/or promotion. We also offer the support faculty need to meet their goals, including learning communities, consultations, guidelines, and advocacy.

DU has a strong governance model, and the Faculty Senate leads the campus as a representative body promoting academic freedom, faculty well-being, and student learning. The Faculty Senate is the representative body responsible for faculty participation in university planning and governance, and partners with the Provost and Chancellor to guide the University forward.

Leadership Opportunities

The University of Denver offers multiple avenues for professional advancement and growth for all faculty members, including non-tenure track faculty members. Faculty become fellows, such as the Faculty Fellow for Mentoring Initiatives or the Faculty Scholar of Teaching and Professional Faculty. They serve as program directors and department chairs, and lead campus wide initiatives like 4D. Faculty also receive support and training to pursue Academic leadership roles as Vice Chancellors or Vice Provosts, working on important DEI, teaching and learning, IT or faculty support initiatives.