To Heaven or Hell: Sensemaking about Why Faculty Leave

This article analyzes sensemaking about faculty departure among administrators, faculty colleagues, and faculty leavers in one research university. A mixed methods database was analyzed to reveal four dominant explanations for faculty departure and two influences on sensemaking. Dominant explanations included better opportunities, the likelihood the faculty member would not get tenure, family and geographic reasons, and work environment and fit. Sensemaking was influenced by status expectations and proximity to the departure. Implications for future research on faculty careers, and for campuses interested in improving faculty retention, are drawn.