13: Metamorphosis of Young Faculty: Navigating Academic Selfhood in Higher Education Available to Purchase

This autoethnographic exposition delves into the transformative narrative of a young faculty member positioned within the pedagogical realm of a renowned R2 university in the Southeastern United States. Armed with an MBA in Human Resources and a PhD in Global Leadership the author’s scholarly expedition’s narrative arc unfolds, illuminating the identity establishment process within the intricate tapestry of academia. From the early challenges of securing adjunct roles to the pivotal juncture of emergent recognition, this article navigates the complex pathways of rapport-building, community cultivation, and self-navigation encountered by an emerging academic persona. Anchored within the paradigms of transformational leadership theory the narrative aligns with the archetype of the hero’s journey, underscoring the faculty member’s odyssey through tests of character, adversities, and the eventual conquest of scholarly prominence. The chapter seeks to elucidate the author’s metamorphosis and offer insights and guidance to fellow aspirants embarking upon analogous trajectories in the academic sphere.