NOVA Adjunct Faculty

Many of our Northern Virginia Community College adjunct professors have a desire to dedicate their time to teach and share the professional expertise gained during their business careers as they approach or enjoy retirement. Becoming an adjunct professor and working part-time may also be a rewarding goal, as you continue to work full-time within your chosen profession. The adjunct faculty who teach at NOVA often perceive their experience teaching and leading in the college classroom as personally fulfilling and rewarding. Making a difference in the lives of students as they pursue their dreams and goals is an experience that is both challenging and exciting. But don’t take my word for it, read the responses to my questions from Babur Kohy, Ellen Klatt, Jose Reboucas, Amos Dike and Rebecca Denton who are current NOVA adjunct faculty teaching classes in disciplines such as cybersecurity, math and science.

What is one lesson you learned from the students in your classes?
Adjunct professors have an opportunity to work within a culturally diverse community and contribute to the academic and professional development of college students. Many professors and adjunct professors share how they also learn from the students they teach. NOVA students represent all aspects of our surrounding communities and career fields. The experience of students enhances the dynamic classroom environment. This interactive classroom experience creates a learning environment for the professors and students as they successfully move forward through the classroom objectives. Mentoring students is a very important role for adjunct professors. Adjunct faculty in the on-campus or online classroom will receive many questions and requests for guidance from students of all ages and from all backgrounds. NOVA professors often engage in rewarding discussions with students that spark ideas for future study and career opportunities after college.

Why do you like teaching as an adjunct faculty member at NOVA?
As a NOVA adjunct faculty member, you have the unique opportunity to provide students with the knowledge and training that they require to be successful in their chosen career field, while also giving you the opportunity to work part-time on a course-by-course basis in your specialized academic field or area of expertise acquired during your business career. Dark Web Investigations, Secure Human Behaviors, General Cyber Hygiene, Biology, Math, Human Anatomy and Physiology are just a handful of the courses that adjunct faculty teach. 

Your unique qualifications can provide you with the flexibility to teach classes on campus or online. Becoming an adjunct professor can be a life-changing decision for you and the students you will impact. This decision can also lead to a new and rewarding career path. As you will see, our adjunct faculty are both engaged and inspired by their work, the students and the lives they impact with every class. Summing this up with one faculty member’s response says it all, “Teaching at NOVA is work that really matters.” So consider being an adjunct faculty member and join this incredible team of NOVA educators.

What support did you receive from NOVA as an adjunct faculty member?
Northern Virginia Community College adjunct faculty receive support and mentoring from current faculty and professors. NOVA adjunct faculty have a unique opportunity to access resources and support, online and in-person. Becoming mentors to students while receiving mentoring and guidance from current faculty is often mentioned by our Northern Virginia Community College adjunct professors as a key to their success in the classroom. Becoming a member of the Northern Virginia Community College team gives you access to and membership into the leading community college faculties around the world. You will always have the support you need to be successful in the classroom and as you continue your professional development.

Have you ever felt motivated to serve your community by sharing your knowledge within your area of expertise? If so, you should consider becoming an adjunct faculty member within the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) community. Teaching and leading as an adjunct professor may be a new pursuit and challenge for you to positively impact students. If you know someone who is interested in being an adjunct faculty member for NOVA, have them visit the NOVA’s VCCS jobs portal to see the opportunities that await!

Submitted by:
Paula Ford, Dean of IET, Paula.Ford@nvcc.edu