Coming in from the Margins - Faculty Development Reimagined

In this review of Coming in from the Margins, the bottom line is clear: this book is for leaders and staff of faculty development centers who need a practical, conceptual push to redefine their role on campus. Connie Schroeder argues persuasively that centers can no longer rely solely on traditional teaching support; they must adopt an explicit organizational development orientation to avoid marginalization or closure. This review focuses on the book's central case, its implications for practice, and why academic administrators and professional developers should read it now.

Key Features

• Core argument: Presents a focused case that faculty development centers must merge past instructional services with a leadership role in organizational change to remain relevant.
• Risk analysis: Explains how being busy and in demand does not guarantee institutional standing and shows the pathways to marginalization and center closings.
• Role definition: Outlines the dimensions and expertise required for centers to act as organizational developers rather than solely service providers.
• Call to action: Urges collective reflection and planning across the field to define a sustainable, visible mission for faculty development.
• Audience focus: Written for people who manage, staff, or evaluate teaching and learning centers and for academic leaders deciding resource priorities.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to directors of teaching and learning centers, university administrators who oversee academic support units, and faculty developers seeking a strategic framework for expanding their center's influence. Readers looking for practical case studies mixed with conceptual argumentation will find the perspective useful.

Those who should look elsewhere include readers seeking a step-by-step operational manual or extensive empirical program evaluations; the text is a thoughtful professional argument about mission and role rather than a how-to checklist of activities.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, timely thesis that reframes the purpose of faculty development toward institutional leadership.
• Helpful language and constructs for advocates who must make the case to campus decision makers.
• Encourages strategic reflection that can prevent marginalization and make centers more sustainable.

Cons

• The book emphasizes conceptual reframing over granular operational guidance, which may leave readers wanting concrete implementation steps.

Specifications

Title	Coming in from the Margins
Author	Connie Schroeder
Primary focus	Faculty development centers and organizational role change
Core argument	Merge traditional services with organizational development leadership
Intended audience	Directors, staff, and academic leaders overseeing teaching centers
Key outcome	Reduce risk of marginalization and center closings

Our Verdict

Coming in from the Margins is a compact, persuasive professional intervention for academic developers who must rethink mission and visibility. It delivers strong conceptual tools that make a compelling case for leadership in organizational change; institutions committed to sustaining faculty development will find it good value despite its limited operational detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should read this book?
Directors and staff of faculty development centers, and academic leaders responsible for resource and strategic decisions about teaching support.

Does it provide practical implementation steps?
The book emphasizes conceptual reframing and role definition rather than detailed step-by-step operational guides.

What problem does it aim to solve?
It addresses the growing risk that centers, despite busy activity, may be institutionally marginalized or closed without a renewed leadership-oriented mission.