Barriers that affect faculty development participation at military colleges

This exploratory study is the first to determine barriers and participation at military colleges in faculty development. This study compared the findings with a study from a set of civilian colleges in the Minnesota High Education system. To determine barriers and participation in faculty development opportunities, the methodology used two instruments: a survey and an interview. The research concluded that in comparison to civilian colleges the military colleges participated more than civilian colleges in faculty development opportunities. The barriers that prevent participation were very similar to those at civilian colleges. However, it was noted in each of the barriers reported the percentages were reported higher at the two military colleges versus the civilian set of colleges. Despite the reporting of higher percentages, the participants at the military colleges participated more in faculty development than the civilian colleges by a difference of 31%. The dissimilarities reported that civilian colleges did not receive recognition as well as those at the military colleges. The military colleges' participants reported that their higher education leaders did a better job of recognizing their employees versus the civilian colleges. Therefore, there was a higher participation rate in faculty development at the two participating military colleges.