The CEA Forum - Summer/Fall 2009 - Everything Changes and Nothing Changes: Life After Tenure - Kathleen McEvoy

Oct 15, 2026

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A faculty member recounts the final pre-tenure interview with the college president and a key question about how tenure would alter her relationship with the institution. She explains how, over six years, she became deeply integrated through governance roles, a writing initiative, and strong collegial ties. After receiving tenure, she discovers post-tenure malaise: loss of focus, exhaustion, and the realization that scholarship had been pursued without a long-term career plan. The narrative explores institutional culture and the personal adjustment beyond tenure approval.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Everything Changes and Nothing Changes: Life After Tenure

The Tenure Interview and the Question of Change

Building Collegial Ties Before Tenure

Life After Tenure and the Malaise

The CEA Forum Summer/Fall 2009: 38.2 Next: Making Lemonade EVERYTHING CHANGES AND NOTHING CHANGES: LIFE AFTER TENURE Kathleen McEvoy I had one last hurdle to clear before my tenure case was brought before the Washington & Jefferson College Board of Trustees for a vote: a one-on-one meeting with the college president. So far, everything had gone smoothly—my class observations, my outside review, my meeting with the Dean of Faculty. My tenure case was strong—quite strong—and I had never entertained the idea that I would not be granted tenure. Still, there was no reason to get cocky. Dr. HaringSmith could be a tough cookie, and I would be a fool to go into the interview arrogant or unprepared. The meeting was pleasant, no trick questions, no hardball tactics. It was more of a discussion of the changes I had seen in my six years at W&J and what I thought the college needed now. We talked at length about the college's writing requirement and the possibility of creating a dedicated writing center. Then Dr. Haring-Smith shifted the direction of the conversation and hit me with,“So how will your relationship with the college change if you're granted tenure?” Hmm… It was a question I should have anticipated but for some reason had not. With nothing prepared, I was forced to answer honestly: “It won't.” There was an odd “Excuse me?” moment, and then Dr. Haring-Smith asked me to elaborate. I explained that even before setting foot on W&J's campus, I'd already been made to feel like an integral part of the college. I served on a task force (or “working group,” as it was called back then) before classes even began. My second year I was appointed to one of the college's most demanding governance committees. By my fifth year I was holding three administrative positions, in addition to my regular departmental and committee service. Yes, they were relatively minor positions, only one had a course release, but, still, it was a lot of responsibility for a junior faculty member. I'd also helped to create an interdisciplinary program. The year before my tenure review, I was elected to the Faculty Executive Committee as its untenured faculty representative. In six years, I'd established excellent relationships with faculty across the campus, and I knew I was regarded as a hard-working, reasonable, trustworthy colleague who could be counted on to tackle difficult and complex issues. How would any of that change if I was granted tenure? Sure, I would be eligible to serve in different capacities, but I'd already forged iron-clad ties to W&J and its people. I'd made myself an important part of the college community. Tenure wouldn't change that. Before you get annoyed with me, let me explain that all of this did not happen because I'm an incredible, marvelous human being (although I am) . Much of my success is a direct result of my department and the college as a whole. My colleagues in English were eager to embrace me from the beginning and had no qualms treating me the same way they treated everyone else. We're a happy, collegial group who feel it is important to be a presence on campus. We assess our strengths and our interests, and insert ourselves as we see fit into virtually every aspect of college governance. Sure, there are a lot of us compared to other departments, but we have proudly become one of W&J's goto departments. We are well-represented on governance committees and our members are frequently asked to assume other duties on campus. Since I had been there, I had quickly fallen into the department's service-oriented mind-set. W&J is also a happy, collegial place. With only about 1500 students and roughly 100 full-time faculty members, W&J is intimate and close-knit. Most of the faculty knew who I was within the first week of my first semester, and many went out of their way to introduce themselves and engage me in conversation. Also, in addition to shared governance, we like our shared lunches and receptions and

FAQs

What question does the college president ask during the tenure meeting?

He asks how her relationship with the college will change if she is granted tenure.

Why does the author believe tenure will not change her relationship with the college?

She describes how she was already deeply involved in governance, service, and community life, and she felt tenure status was never a factor at the college.

What happens to her after she receives tenure?

Instead of relief, she experiences post-tenure malaise—unfocused exhaustion—and realizes she had neglected long-term career planning while chasing the short-term tenure goal.

Oct 15, 2026

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