Translate
Phase 5 - Interviewing Candidates
It is during the interview process that strengths and weaknesses of candidates start to become more evident. It is also a time when implicit bias can start to sneak into the process (e.g., “I don't know why I feel so comfortable with this candidate!”). This is a good time to repeat the primary objectives for the position and the key areas you wish to assess in the search and keep them “front and center” in the evaluation process.
Selection of Questions Related to Student Success
Decide what information your search committee most needs from the candidate (certain areas of expertise, inclusive curricular development , inclusive and equity-minded teaching practices, experience working with students from various backgrounds , research agendas that center issues of equity, mentoring/service experience with students from all backgrounds, program building, etc.) and let that guide your selection of questions related to this area.
Sample Student Success Questions
A choice from this list of questions (or similar) should be utilized in rounds one and two of the interview process. Use more than one when needing to cover multiple areas or to gain clarity on previous answers/statements. The committee may decide to use one of the sample questions included below or they may create a more appropriate question for their recruitment. The question selected must be submitted in the recruitment plan and approved by OUDI and Academic Personnel.
Universal Student Success Screening Questions:
- Please describe your experience teaching a wide variety of students, and how does your teaching philosophy help all students to be successful?
- How do you foresee yourself contributing to Cal Poly’s commitment to its major initiatives?
- What does it mean for you to have a commitment to universal student success? How have you demonstrated that commitment, and how would you see yourself demonstrating it in this role?
- How have your experiences prepared you to advance our institution’s commitment to universal student success?
- In what ways have you attempted to advance your understanding of the experiences of students from all backgrounds? Can you provide specific examples of how you have applied that knowledge to your teaching, research, and/or service?
Teaching-Specific Questions:
- What strategies have you used to foster a fair learning environment in your courses? This could include inclusive course design, as well as interactions with students.
- Please describe an experience you have had that demonstrates your knowledge and awareness of the culturally diverse backgrounds of students.
- What steps have you taken, or would you take, to remove potential barriers to academic success that may be experienced by some students?
- What are some of the ways you strive to make students from all backgrounds feel included through your teaching and mentoring?
- Please describe your strategies for expanding students' knowledge of, and ability to work productively with, others who are different from them
Research-Specific Questions:
- In what ways have you incorporated varied populations or topics in your research activities?
- How do you stay up to date with research and current issues in your field especially related to today’s California student? How do/would you apply that knowledge into your work within this role?
Service-Specific Questions:
- In what ways have you fostered universal student success through your service activities?
- What service activities have you participated in that have specifically related to issues of universal student success?
*Note that graduate students or some applicants from industry may not have “service” activities per se. Consider broadening to include other types of work experience if necessary.
Evaluating answers to universal student success questions:
- Is an overly simplistic view applied to talking about universal student success (e.g., “We’re all human,”)?
- Do the answers center around one example/experience related to universal student success? (thereby indicating a lack of broad experience)
- What level of detail does the candidate provide in their plans to support and promote campus values and initiatives as a potential Cal Poly faculty member?
