A Pharmacy Faculty Academy to foster professional growth and long-term retention of junior faculty members.

OBJECTIVES: Implement a Pharmacy Faculty Academy designed to foster professional growth of new faculty members in an outcomes-oriented, "frames"-based manner and to evaluate the impact on faculty satisfaction and retention rates. DESIGN: A Faculty Academy was designed based on critical themes relevant to junior faculty members and important symbolic, structural, human resource, and political considerations. The year-long program included concentrated sessions during the first 4 weeks of employment followed by longitudinal activities requiring an advancing level of faculty performance. ASSESSMENT: Qualitative and quantitative metrics for engagement and professional growth improved dramatically during the implementation period. The 21 faculty members who completed the program from 2005-2007 provided positive feedback. CONCLUSION: An individualized, systematic approach to faculty development resulted in more highly engaged and productive faculty members who were more likely to remain long term within the College.