Whether students at BYU realize it or not, they’ve likely taken at least one class from an adjunct professor. “Adjuncts spread across nearly the entire university. It’s literally across like 70 departments on campus,” said Karen Cottle, who manages BYU Evening Classes scheduling and payroll for instructors at BYU Continuing Education. “There are a couple of areas that are not included, but we’re talking maybe two departments out of the university.”
Adjunct instructors have long been a part of BYU Continuing Education, supporting students at the BYU Salt Lake Center, in BYU Evening Classes, and through BYU Online. One of the key differences between adjuncts and traditional faculty is that adjuncts often continue to work professionally in their respective fields while they teach. “These are people who are in the deep of it in real life,” Cottle said. “Students have access to those important, real-life conversations about what it’s really like and what they can expect.” She added that while full-time faculty certainly bring expertise, “it’s a little bit different when it’s someone who is a photojournalist teaching photojournalism.”
This real-world experience gives students a more grounded understanding of current industry trends. “They can help explain to the students what to expect, or what not to dream too big about, and where to focus that drive in the most effective way to get to where they want to be,” Cottle said. “We have a lot of really amazing research professors . . . but then you get someone who works in the big companies, especially the Marriott School, and you can have a massive effect in a worldwide education.”
Adjuncts are not only experienced professionals but also deeply mission-driven individuals. Many are motivated by gratitude and a desire to give back. “Nearly all of the adjuncts would agree that’s why they do it—because BYU gave them so much that they want to give back,” Cottle said. “They understand that goal, or the tenets of a BYU education, and they want to give that back to the university in terms of paying it forward.”
Even though most adjuncts work part-time, BYU Continuing Education strives to make them feel supported and included. “We make an effort to visit them in their classes at least once every two years . . . mostly so that they know that we care,” Cottle said. “We also allow them the opportunity to ask us to give them feedback.” Adjuncts are invited to attend departmental trainings and are included in faculty communities, aligning with President Reese’s vision for BYU.
One misconception Cottle hopes to correct is the idea that adjunct-taught classes are inherently easier than those taught by full-time faculty. “There may be a correlation, but there’s not a causation,” she said. “Pedagogically they might be [easier] because you have a better student-to-teacher ratio, but . . . we involve the academic departments enough that they know what’s being taught and are comfortable with the skill level of the instructors.”
Ultimately, adjuncts play an essential role at BYU Continuing Education. “There’s such an interest in BYU and such an interest in learning from this university that it is too large for the full-time faculty to cover,” Cottle said. “We have a bunch of really amazing people who also understand the goals of BYU and want to give back, and this is a really amazing way for them to be able to do that.”