Improving faculty engagement in college health initiatives: Insights from current faculty with a college health background.

ABSTRACT

Faculty can play a critical role in supporting college health professionals' efforts to enhance student health and well-being. However, many college health practitioners have expressed concerns about how to effectively engage faculty. This article, written by current faculty who are all former college health professionals, aims to bridge this gap. We propose that some difficulties in working with faculty could be improved by having a more nuanced understanding of faculty roles and expectations, and through identifying ways to leverage faculty duties for mutually beneficial partnerships. First, we describe characteristic faculty responsibilities based on position and institutional type. Next, we provide ideas for potential collaborative opportunities. Then we offer recommended approaches for how to engage faculty and sustain these relationships. We hope these insights will help to strengthen the needed connection between faculty and college health professionals in order to best meet the needs of college students.