Going downhill fast - Adjunct Faculty Baker College Employee Review

1.0
Nov 10, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most adjunct faculty care, or they wouldn't be there since the pay is so poor. The Owosso campus is generally appealing to the eye. There is a broad range of programs offerings to teach.

Cons

The college seems less focused on students and staff, then on the mighty dollar. Significant layoffs have taken place, (probably 5 rounds this year that I know about), leaving people without the experience necessary to be successful to fill the voids created. The college handled the layoffs very poorly: communicating the changes very poorly to the "survivors" and those affected, and poorly communicating the state of the college. Thus demonstrating that those who can't do business well, do actually teach it. Clearly those in leadership positions are not business savvy. Baker has been a case study in "what not to do". Additionally some of the college's pay practices have been sketchy at best, encouraging employees to do professional development directly related to their work for the college without pay, or reducing rates of pay without advance notice. Baker also does a terrible job preparing the faculty for their roles, making decisions regarding what you will be teaching at the last minute, and making books and resources for the class available too late to be properly prepared. In many cases the UBD (Understanding By Design) courses are designed by people who are not in the field and are clearly not subject matter experts. In addition to having poor content, the UBD restricts the instructor's ability to present relevant material that would actually prepare the students for their future. New faculty is poorly trained on internal systems (Blackboard, APA format, etc.) and resources to help them in their new position. I always feel bad for students who have a new instructor who is struggling to figure things out. They pay for the full class, but clearly don't get the full educational experience. Historically Baker was very proud that the adjunct faculty were working professionals. They did a fantastic job preparing students. Our current direction is making Baker a joke, and the unprepared students are damaging the long-standing reputation. There really isn't room to grow for adjunct faculty. Number of classes available to teach are restricted (due to both union concerns, and ACA restrictions to the number of hours to be benefit eligible). You really don't have much of a voice or any freedom in what to cover for the term or how to teach. At this point Baker should either set up the "checkout counter" and handout degrees to anyone who can pay, or sell prerecorded videos of lectures. Either would be as effective at preparing graduates as the current trend.

Explore other reviews about Baker College

5.0
Mar 17, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible work schedule, making it ideal for part-time faculty. Supportive administration that values faculty input. Well-structured curriculum and resources provided. Engaging students who are eager to learn. A professional and collaborative atmosphere.

Cons

Limited opportunities for career advancement as an adjunct. Compensation could be more competitive. Class availability depends on enrollment, which can fluctuate.

avatar
Baker College Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your experience at Baker College. We truly appreciate your insights as they help us understand the strengths and areas for improvement within our institution. We are delighted to hear that you find the flexible work schedule beneficial and that you feel supported by our administration. Your acknowledgment of our well-structured curriculum and the engaging atmosphere we strive to create for our students is heartening. At Baker College, we are committed to fostering a collaborative environment where educators can thrive and make a positive impact on our students' lives. We recognize the concerns you've raised regarding limited career advancement opportunities for adjunct faculty and the need for more competitive compensation. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will take it into consideration as we continue to evaluate our policies and practices. We are committed to exploring avenues to enhance career growth and ensure that our compensation reflects the dedication and expertise of our faculty. Thank you once again for your thoughtful review. We value your contributions to our college community and are dedicated to creating a fulfilling environment for all our educators.
4.0
Apr 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great learning environment and learning new marketable skills.

Cons

Low pay consider same work load and comparison to jobs with similar title

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All