COACHE

October 2025

10 Things to Know About COACHE 2025

1. The data were collected by COACHE at Harvard University. VCU did not administer the survey or gather the responses.
2. All analyses were conducted by COACHE. VCU did not manipulate or interpret the raw data.
3. The report was provided to VCU by COACHE. It reflects Harvard’s independent analysis of VCU faculty responses.
4. VCU’s results are benchmarked against 85 peer institutions. This helps us understand where we lead and where we can grow.
5. The report is available at provost.vcu.edu/coache. Faculty are encouraged to explore the findings and follow ongoing updates via the provost’s blog and on the COACHE website.
6. We are committed to transparent sharing. All communications adhere to our IRB protocol and COACHE’s data-sharing agreement.
7. The raw survey data are protected under strict confidentiality. As part of our partnership with COACHE, VCU agreed to data-sharing and IRB protocols that prohibit distribution of the raw data. These safeguards ensure respondent privacy and uphold the integrity of the research.
8. A faculty-accessible dashboard is in development. Launching in spring 2026, it will allow tailored exploration of results by role, unit.
9. The COACHE Steering Committee meets regularly. Member responsibilities include interpreting the findings and identifying actionable opportunities.
10. Faculty voices are shaping the path forward. Your feedback is guiding recommendations, initiatives, and institutional priorities.

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10 Things to Know about COACHE

COACHE Survey Framework

VCU faculty response rate of 47% completion (55.9% total response) exceeded that of our five institutional peers (34%) and the overall rate for the 85 cohort institutions (40%).

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2025 Survey Administration - Context

• Only 21% of 85 cohort institutions conducted COACHE in 2025
• 0/5 peer institutions conducted COACHE in 2025

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Response Rates

63% would choose VCU again; 22% would not:

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90% recommend or strongly recommend their department:

Big picture

Have changes in institutional priorities had a negative impact on your work?

VCU - 55% “yes”; Peers - 33.3% “yes”; Cohort - 40.3% “yes”

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Big picture

In adapting to this changing mission, I have received adequate support from my:

Dean/Division Head

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Department Chair/Head

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Big picture

The Chief Academic

Officer seems to

care about the

quality of life for

faculty of my rank:

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Big picture

Benchmark Analyses

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Top 30% of cohort -

Health & retirement benefits

Interdisciplinary work

Tenure policies

Tenure expectations - clarity

Leadership - departmental

Departmental collegiality

Departmental engagement

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Bottom 30% of cohort -

Nature of work - Teaching

Mentoring

Promotion to full

Senior leadership

Governance - shared sense of purpose

Governance - adaptability

Governance - productivity

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Benchmarks - big picture

All faculty:

Quality of colleagues (29%, 5 peers, 84 cohort)

Support of colleagues (22%, 4 peers, 62 cohort)

Geographic location (25%, 5 peers, 60 cohort)

Diversity (12%,1 peer, 7 cohort)

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Global Views - Top 4 Best Aspects

All faculty:

Quality of colleagues (29%, 5 peers, 84 cohort)

Support of colleagues (22%, 4 peers, 62 cohort)

Geographic location (25%, 5 peers, 60 cohort)

Diversity (12%;1 peer, 7 cohort)

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Additional top 4 aspects across subgroups:

Quality of students - tenured, NTT, full, women, Asian, white

Opportunity to collaborate with colleagues - pre-tenure, men

Academic freedom - tenured

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Global Views - Top 4 Best Aspects

All faculty:

Quality of facilities (14%, 1 peer, 32 cohort)

Compensation (19%, all peers, 79 cohort)

Too much service (16%, 3 peers, 50 cohort)

Quality of leadership (21%, 2 peers, 30 cohort)

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Global Views - Top 4 Worst Aspects

All faculty:

Quality of facilities (14%, 1 peer, 32 cohort)

Compensation (19%, all peers, 79 cohort)

Too much service (16%, 3 peers, 50 cohort)

Quality of leadership (21%, 2 peers, 30 cohort)

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Additional top 4 worst aspects across subgroups:

Lack of support - tenured, pre-tenure, men, FOC

Teaching load - pre-tenure, NTT, Asian

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Global Views - Top 4 Worst Aspects

Areas of strength:

Health & retirement benefits

Interdisciplinary collaborations

Tenure policies

Leadership - departmental

Departmental collegiality and engagement

Geographic location

Diversity

Quality of students

Academic freedom

Key Takeaways

Areas of opportunity:

Leadership

Shared governance

Workload - service and teaching

Mentoring

Support

Promotion to full professor

Quality of facilities

Compensation*

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*This emerged as a top 4 worst aspect of VCU, but satisfaction with salary was highly rated compared to peers/cohort.

Key Takeaways

Faculty from MPC and HSC (+ administrative support)

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Primary responsibilities:

• interpretation and discussion of the results to develop actionable recommendations
• provide recommendations and feedback about communication and dissemination of results

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Subgroups will address specific areas of opportunity

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Steering Committee

Timeline:

• Steering committee will meet every 2-4 weeks
• Recommendations report by May 2026
• COACHE dashboard - spring 2026

Updates will be provided via:

• COACHE website (provost.vcu.edu/coache/)
• Open sessions for faculty (Oct 16 & 21)
• Faculty Senate meetings
• Provost’s blog
• Unit-level meetings

Timeline and Communication Plan

Email coache@vcu.edu

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Contact Steering Committee members

(provost.vcu.edu/coache/committee/)

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Questions/Comments