Kevin R. McClure
@drkevinrmcclure.com
Professor of Higher Ed & Dept Chair | Author of The Caring University (JHUP, 2025) | Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges | Columnist at The Chronicle of Higher Education
Had a great time visiting the University of Tennessee to deliver the Bogue Lecture. Many thanks to @robertkelchen.com for the invite and being a great host!
February 10, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Had a great time visiting the University of Tennessee to deliver the Bogue Lecture. Many thanks to @robertkelchen.com for the invite and being a great host!
Saying that the halftime show is evidence we are winning the culture wars is too naive, isn't it? (But we are.)
February 9, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Saying that the halftime show is evidence we are winning the culture wars is too naive, isn't it? (But we are.)
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
A $1,500 raise after a promotion, a celebrated 1% raise, and other tales from the frontlines of higher ed. How have you encountered higher ed's absurd compensation practices? Tell us about it. https://chroni.cl/3LZAGLP
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
A $1,500 raise after a promotion, a celebrated 1% raise, and other tales from the frontlines of higher ed. How have you encountered higher ed's absurd compensation practices? Tell us about it. https://chroni.cl/3LZAGLP
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Picking up on @drkevinrmcclure.com 's thoughts on compensation absurdities in higher Ed www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Compensation and Its Discontents
Some absurdities are less obvious.
www.insidehighered.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Picking up on @drkevinrmcclure.com 's thoughts on compensation absurdities in higher Ed www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Whenever I read @drkevinrmcclure.com's excellent work on academic work I'm left asking, why is it this way? Keven offers some good explanations, but I think it's also this way because people like it: politicians like it, students and especially the public are indifferent at best.
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Whenever I read @drkevinrmcclure.com's excellent work on academic work I'm left asking, why is it this way? Keven offers some good explanations, but I think it's also this way because people like it: politicians like it, students and especially the public are indifferent at best.
Gonna settle in for non-step Olympics viewing. Doesn't matter the event, I'll watch it and be irrationally invested.
February 7, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Gonna settle in for non-step Olympics viewing. Doesn't matter the event, I'll watch it and be irrationally invested.
Had an interesting discussion recently with some faculty about an uptick in students wanting more "direct instruction" or, as the students sometimes put it, more "teaching."
What they seem to mean is more lecture, presentation with slides, or sage on the stage stuff.
What they seem to mean is more lecture, presentation with slides, or sage on the stage stuff.
February 6, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Had an interesting discussion recently with some faculty about an uptick in students wanting more "direct instruction" or, as the students sometimes put it, more "teaching."
What they seem to mean is more lecture, presentation with slides, or sage on the stage stuff.
What they seem to mean is more lecture, presentation with slides, or sage on the stage stuff.
As I was despairing about everything in HE, I asked my Texan friend (and fellow professor) how she was so unflappable in the face of all this.
Her sense was that everyone in many industries are unhappy right now, and maybe we're primed for a pendulum swing. God, I hope she's right.
Her sense was that everyone in many industries are unhappy right now, and maybe we're primed for a pendulum swing. God, I hope she's right.
February 6, 2026 at 1:15 PM
As I was despairing about everything in HE, I asked my Texan friend (and fellow professor) how she was so unflappable in the face of all this.
Her sense was that everyone in many industries are unhappy right now, and maybe we're primed for a pendulum swing. God, I hope she's right.
Her sense was that everyone in many industries are unhappy right now, and maybe we're primed for a pendulum swing. God, I hope she's right.
Reading The Chronicle as a professor is really hard today.
February 5, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Reading The Chronicle as a professor is really hard today.
I've reached whatever phase of adulthood and parenting where anytime I read nonfiction after 7pm I fall asleep.
February 5, 2026 at 1:55 AM
I've reached whatever phase of adulthood and parenting where anytime I read nonfiction after 7pm I fall asleep.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Consider the suite of “reforms” for public higher education in Iowa. This is a sweeping package that would dismantle public universities. The justification? Public money should go only to training people for high demand jobs. In the Postliberal University we call this a “neoliberal Trojan Horse”
‘Barrage of Bills’ Would Upend Iowa Higher Ed—If They Pass
The state’s new House Higher Education Committee has advanced a raft of bills that would hit universities’ pocketbooks, hide presidential candidates’ names, and more.
www.insidehighered.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Consider the suite of “reforms” for public higher education in Iowa. This is a sweeping package that would dismantle public universities. The justification? Public money should go only to training people for high demand jobs. In the Postliberal University we call this a “neoliberal Trojan Horse”
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
This is a great post on the craziness of higher ed pay practices. I’m glad the article references staff pay issues as well. Schools have yet to learn that it’s cheaper and easier to retain (and fairly compensate) people than recruiting new employees.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:04 PM
This is a great post on the craziness of higher ed pay practices. I’m glad the article references staff pay issues as well. Schools have yet to learn that it’s cheaper and easier to retain (and fairly compensate) people than recruiting new employees.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
I recently left academia... the topics covered here hit HARD
Getting paid WAY too little?✔️
Working multiple years without a raise?✔️
A small pay increase when getting promoted✔️
Worked 10 year at a small liberal arts university & a state university. Both knew they could find someone else for less.
Getting paid WAY too little?✔️
Working multiple years without a raise?✔️
A small pay increase when getting promoted✔️
Worked 10 year at a small liberal arts university & a state university. Both knew they could find someone else for less.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:36 AM
I recently left academia... the topics covered here hit HARD
Getting paid WAY too little?✔️
Working multiple years without a raise?✔️
A small pay increase when getting promoted✔️
Worked 10 year at a small liberal arts university & a state university. Both knew they could find someone else for less.
Getting paid WAY too little?✔️
Working multiple years without a raise?✔️
A small pay increase when getting promoted✔️
Worked 10 year at a small liberal arts university & a state university. Both knew they could find someone else for less.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Have personally experienced nearly everything in this article that can apply to staff. It really is completely absurd and the office that is most egregiously underpaid and can't hold on to talent? HR. I'm not joking.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Have personally experienced nearly everything in this article that can apply to staff. It really is completely absurd and the office that is most egregiously underpaid and can't hold on to talent? HR. I'm not joking.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
This one resonated. As NTT faculty, only systematic raises are merit raises which range 0-<3%. I am not eligible for retention raises- food workers can get retentions, but not me. Also, different rules for different TT people- some people get retentions, others told similar offer doesn’t count.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:48 PM
This one resonated. As NTT faculty, only systematic raises are merit raises which range 0-<3%. I am not eligible for retention raises- food workers can get retentions, but not me. Also, different rules for different TT people- some people get retentions, others told similar offer doesn’t count.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Everything in this piece, but I'm especially feeling this part right now. #AcademicSky
February 3, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Everything in this piece, but I'm especially feeling this part right now. #AcademicSky
People get mad at HR, and I get it. But here's the thing: we have woefully under-invested in HR infrastructure, and we pay the price over and over.
Have personally experienced nearly everything in this article that can apply to staff. It really is completely absurd and the office that is most egregiously underpaid and can't hold on to talent? HR. I'm not joking.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
February 3, 2026 at 8:42 PM
People get mad at HR, and I get it. But here's the thing: we have woefully under-invested in HR infrastructure, and we pay the price over and over.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
Y'all. This.
"higher education treats routine pay increases that are common in many other industries as a once-in-a-blue-moon cause for celebration"
Cannot "this" this enough.
"higher education treats routine pay increases that are common in many other industries as a once-in-a-blue-moon cause for celebration"
Cannot "this" this enough.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Y'all. This.
"higher education treats routine pay increases that are common in many other industries as a once-in-a-blue-moon cause for celebration"
Cannot "this" this enough.
"higher education treats routine pay increases that are common in many other industries as a once-in-a-blue-moon cause for celebration"
Cannot "this" this enough.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
This is a great piece!
At my current role: no one explained I would wait 4 weeks to be paid and 6 weeks for health insurance to kick in. HR was like "it's ok, because you get 2 pay checks after you leave". And I could have worked longer at my last job to extend my health insurance.
At my current role: no one explained I would wait 4 weeks to be paid and 6 weeks for health insurance to kick in. HR was like "it's ok, because you get 2 pay checks after you leave". And I could have worked longer at my last job to extend my health insurance.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:46 PM
This is a great piece!
At my current role: no one explained I would wait 4 weeks to be paid and 6 weeks for health insurance to kick in. HR was like "it's ok, because you get 2 pay checks after you leave". And I could have worked longer at my last job to extend my health insurance.
At my current role: no one explained I would wait 4 weeks to be paid and 6 weeks for health insurance to kick in. HR was like "it's ok, because you get 2 pay checks after you leave". And I could have worked longer at my last job to extend my health insurance.
Very ambitious goal at ODU, to say the least. www.chronicle.com/article/can-...
February 3, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Very ambitious goal at ODU, to say the least. www.chronicle.com/article/can-...
There's a little survey at the bottom of the piece where The Chronicle is collecting other examples of compensation absurdities, if you feel compelled to add your own. These usually find their way into good companion pieces to these essays.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:35 PM
There's a little survey at the bottom of the piece where The Chronicle is collecting other examples of compensation absurdities, if you feel compelled to add your own. These usually find their way into good companion pieces to these essays.
Reposted by Kevin R. McClure
I’m not here to argue that the accreditation system is perfect but running it down has been a bipartisan project for higher ed. policy advocates for years. Now the right it’s poised to break the system to pave the way for state dictated curriculua. Congrats! www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
New Heritage Report Shows Tension in Federal Role in Higher Ed
Building on the higher ed policies outlined in Project 2025, the new report urges more state involvement in holding colleges and universities accountable.
www.insidehighered.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:06 PM
I’m not here to argue that the accreditation system is perfect but running it down has been a bipartisan project for higher ed. policy advocates for years. Now the right it’s poised to break the system to pave the way for state dictated curriculua. Congrats! www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
I forgot how much of a snow day is just keeping kids fed.
February 2, 2026 at 11:53 PM
I forgot how much of a snow day is just keeping kids fed.
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
Opinion | Higher Education’s Compensation Charade
We’ve come to accept illogical, unjust, and occasionally insulting pay practices. Why?
www.chronicle.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Here's my piece on compensation absurdities in higher. Only scratches the surface, but hopeful we can use this as a springboard to say: this weird thing we do? We don't have to keep doing it. Or, we can do this better. Let's aim higher www.chronicle.com/article/high...
I haven't given up on writing something about Workday rollouts. I actually need to work on some new column ideas...
February 2, 2026 at 2:54 PM
I haven't given up on writing something about Workday rollouts. I actually need to work on some new column ideas...