Faculty Support

If Taft’s mission is “the education of the whole student,” we can only meet it with an extraordinary faculty. They are charged with nothing less than this: Be ready to teach every student, at every hour, on every corner of the campus. The development of our students’ intellectual, moral, spiritual, physical, and creative abilities cannot be achieved without setting the highest standards for their teachers. Recruiting, developing, and retaining exceptional faculty is a must. Taft faculty members have to be skilled in navigating rapidly changing technologies, attitudes, and global realities while, at the same time, embracing and preserving those Taft ideals that will not change: Character. Honesty. A willingness to serve the greater community. An ability to work for a greater good. A lot is expected of our faculty–teacher, coach, dorm parent, and advisor. These different roles provide perspectives that enable our faculty to know and understand their students well.

Faculty Chairs

Endowed chairs enable Taft to hire and promote faculty of exceptional ability. They are master teachers who are nationally recognized leaders in pedagogy and course design. They evaluate and mentor younger faculty, and are vital stewards of Taft’s heritage and traditions. To be named to an endowed chair is the highest honor that Taft can bestow.

• Department Chair $2,500,000
• Senior Faculty Chair $2,000,000
• Faculty Chair $1,500,000

Professional Development

Faculty innovation grants are awarded through a competitive process to support faculty at all stages of their careers. Grants cover tuition for graduate school courses and programs, provide resources for developing new courses, and support other opportunities for intellectual exchange.

Endowed Professional Development Funds start at $50,000.