<p>Shoshana Bass has been appointed to an exciting new position within NYU SPS as the School’s first assistant dean of adjunct faculty advancement. This inaugural role signals a transformative shift in how adjunct instructors are supported, recognized, and empowered across the School of Professional Studies, where adjunct faculty make up 92% of instructors, spanning undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education offerings.</p> <p>“This role was created to recognize the essential contributions of adjunct faculty to NYU SPS’s mission and to ensure all faculty are supported, connected, and enabled to thrive,” Bass explains. “Adjuncts represent a significant portion of our teaching community, and their success directly impacts the student experience.”</p> <p>“Because most adjuncts are actively working in their fields, they provide up-to-the-minute insights, case studies, and examples that connect theory to real-world practice,” shares Bass. “This helps students see the relevance of their coursework and prepares them more directly for their careers.” This new assistant deanship reflects the goal of NYU SPS Dean Angie Kamath and Office of Faculty Affairs Vice Dean Karen Krahulik to ensure the School’s “highly talented and dedicated adjunct faculty are as effective as possible in shaping student learning.”</p>

<p>As assistant dean of adjunct faculty advancement, Bass will provide adjuncts with tailored resources and professional development opportunities while fostering community across the diverse group of instructor-practitioners who span the School’s seven divisions. Additionally, the assistant dean will help streamline communication by serving as a dedicated point of contact for adjunct needs.</p> <p>“This initiative is about more than programs and policies–it’s about building community and ensuring adjunct faculty feel seen, valued, and empowered to flourish,” says Bass. “We are proud to be launching a truly one-of-a-kind initiative in higher education with this new leadership position dedicated to adjunct faculty advancement. By creating a role and resources designed specifically for adjunct faculty, SPS is not only affirming their critical contributions, but also setting a standard for what faculty support can look like across NYU. We see this as another way SPS is living up to its reputation as a real-world space that innovates and champions change.”</p>