How many adjunct professors do you have? Chances are – a lot. In fact, “The Chronicle of Higher Education” finds that there are a lot of adjuncts professors across the country, teaching part-time and receiving little pay and no health benefits. The Chronicle wanted to find out why these adjuncts keep coming back. According to The Chronicle’s survey of more than 600 adjunct professors at 90 higher education institutions throughout Chicago found that many come day in and day out for the love of the job. It’s definitely not the pay: On average, many make an annual salary of $20,000 or less. Some, The Chronicle found, stick it out because they have dreams of landing a tenure-track, full-time position. But find it tough to get, especially because many adjuncts do not have their PhD degrees. One adjunct said, “Seeing the students that come (here) ready to learn and overcome their circumstances – it’s inspiring.”
