Abstract
This response essay engages with the preceding discussions on professionalism in small academic departments, particularly those by Duffy, Rosenfield, and Ryan. The author argues that professionalism is determined more by individual and institutional values than by departmental organization or discipline. The analysis commends Duffy’s perspective on thriving within merged departments, noting that collegial support and shared commitment matter more than structural autonomy. It also reflects on Rosenfield’s treatment of unionism, suggesting that while collective bargaining once represented liberation for faculty, it risks devolving into an excessive focus on wages and working conditions rather than educational quality. The essay praises Ryan’s integration of teaching, research, and grantsmanship as a model for personal and professional fulfillment, yet warns against the inflation of publication as a false measure of academic worth. Mathis concludes with a set of practical recommendations for faculty development, emphasizing renewal through teaching innovation, collegial dialogue, institutional governance, and sustained opportunities for professional growth. The essay envisions a reformed higher education system that balances personal integrity, institutional responsibility, and collective progress.
Recommended Citation
Mathis, Claude
(1986)
"A Response to Achieving Professional Professions,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 58, Article 16.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol58/iss1/16
