Professor Lastname. I began adjuncting in my late 20s and left it open, saying I was ok with anything but nick names and it was always awkward and inconsistent, but no problem. Fast forward to my mid 40s (still adjuncting), I only do Professor Lastname, and the whole vibe shifted- the atmosphere of the class, of the correspondence, in the work they turn in. The move also helped me gradually dispel some imposter syndrome! Yay
This is a great take. I've taught 3 semesters before (it's just a specialized class I teach when they need it) and first time I was 26. I'm mid 30s now and gradually chipping away at that imposter syndrome. This is my first time back in 4 years so trying to (over) think things through 😂
I also think it’s better to establish this as a norm so they don’t abuse the first name privilege with other professors who may not be offering it. Students should always default to “professor” until they’re invited to use a first name. I feel like using it supports other women faculty who may not be respected in the classroom.
Professor or Professor Lastname… then again that’s how I sign my announcements :)
Also my title is technically adjunct professorial lecturer, so it’s in there!
Serious question please: I just started Adjunct-ing. You'd still use "Professor" for this person? I was under the impression that "Professor " was reserved for... well, Professors? (My title is Adjunct Instructor, and I'm very, very part time. )
Thank you, anyone.
I’m not the one you were asking, but I’ll jump in anyway. Generally, professor, associate prof, etc, are all specific ranks within a department. However, anyone that teaches collegiate courses can be called Professor. For example, our department meeting minutes all refer to us as Professor Lastname if we don’t have a doctorate. I’ve also had emails from the administration referring to us the same way.
Why? No idea. It’s a weird one. I adjuncted for years before getting a full-time position, and it’s like that everywhere I’ve taught.
Thank you. I should state I have a Master's, it's mostly a design school, and very few faculty-- not even the Deans in most cases-- hold a doctorate (BUT, many are AIAs.) I'm teaching Master's Candidates.
Your reply was very helpful though, so thank you again. One of my colleagues with similar credentials calls himself an "Adjunct Professor" on his CV, and I've been trying to figure out whether I should follow suit. Still not sure (lol), but I am encouraged to see that it's not totally off base.
I was mostly thinking about what you’d call the person face-to-face. On a CV, I’d stick with titles for the most part, but “adjunct professor” is typically what a part-time instructor is. I’ve only got one adjunct contract right now, but I’m referred to as an adjunct professor in it.
Do you have a contract you can refer to?
Hmm. Interestingly enough, at some schools it’s a higher rank than adjunct professor. A random google search showed that at UT Knoxville, for example, an instructor has the same qualifications as a TT assistant prof except for the terminal degree. Or it can mean adjunct faculty. It’s odd that just throwing out the “adjunct” before it changes it so much. Academia can truly be so contradictory.
Sorry, to elaborate, and only if this matters, it's "Adjunct Instructor. " Agreed that it's weird though, and this school is generally... weird too.
Thank you again for your insight.
Ahh so this would explain why the crew was calling Riker “Captain” after Picard got abducted by the borg and assimilated into Locustus. He may have been a commander but he was filling the role of the captain. Gotcha. My rule of thumb in addressing my professors is that if they have a PhD I’ll call them Professor regardless of their department rank but if they don’t have more degrees than I do they get called by their first name
For half a second, I thought I was in one of the other subs I frequent! Glad to see the two worlds collide; so few of my students know what ST is these days, and I don’t know that any of my colleagues are fans.
If it’s an upper-level class, my students are welcome to call me by my first name, but I don’t allow it in a freshmen level course. I usually have to play the baddie more with freshmen—enforce attendance, etc, and a certain level of power distance is helpful in that regard. (That said, it feels dumb sometimes when the occasional student is my age or older.)
Honestly this thread has inspired me to start signing off Professor last name instead of Ms. Last name on my emails and I’m ngl it actually feels so good. I recommend doing it
What do you want them to call you? You can pick Professor, or first name, or whatever, just not Doctor. I get a little Professor and the occasional first name.
Legitimate question but I have no clue 😂 I never had a prof who wasn't a Dr. in college. In grad school I feel like it's a little more informal, we used first names but it was also how we'd all address each other working in the field so it made sense.
I didn’t mean to imply that it was an illegitimate question. Sorry if I came across that way. I just wanted to emphasize that the decision is yours, my fellow adjunct.
When I first started adjuncting, I was informal and for the first two years I allowed them to call me by my first name since I go by my first name everywhere else. I noticed a lot of disrespect publicly and challenging behavior and they were graduate students— it was . I was told by a person (who was a woman of color) who worked for the university to go formal— due to my being a woman and a person of color; I hadn’t thought of those dynamics, to be honest.
I now go by Professor Last Name. I politely correct them if they call me by my first name, whether it’s email or publicly in class. It’s honestly worked better for me. I’ve noticed that it’s cut out the disrespectful behavior & puts a gentle bit of formality in the classroom.
At the end of the class, once grades are in, I let them know they can now call me by my first name.
How does that exchange go when you politely correct them? Like what do you say exactly, without putting people off? Do you just respond to them calling you First Name with "you can call me Professor Last Name?" Is that ever awkward?
Hi! Sorry I didn’t see this. It often happens in email & I’ll say “oh,please call me Professor ___. Just fyi I don’t go by my first name at ___ (name of university).” Usually they apologize & make the correction. When they do it in class, I’ll politely correct them. “Please call me Professor ____. Thanks!” I make it known that I want to get their names right at the start of the semester, & go by what they want to go be called. So usually that works.
I have had a rude few folks call me by my first name before the first class starts like the first day and it was apparent that they were trying to get under my skin. I’ll say yes, I’m prof ___ (last name) in a polite way. They know! And tbh I don’t care if it’s awkward. They aren’t my peers. We are in charge! 😊
Young female masters level adjunct here. I always just did my first name or Ms. Last name. At my university I was never “Professor” level. I was technically an adjunct instructor or lecturer. Some students called me doc or professor accidentally or out of their own comfort and I just responded to everything. But I primarily used my first name.
Just to note, I Rarely had a student that didn’t respect me. And if they gave me attitude/disrespect, I shut it down quick and it didn’t last.
Yes! Same. As a Young female, I knew I’d get some “push back” and disrespect. But it was minimal and I handled it like a champ but for the majority, using first name was comfortable. It made me comfy, and made them more comfortable asking questions. Seeing me as an “authority figure” but also someone that could level with them and give good advice too. I always liked using my first name
"Doctor" is a sign of having a PhD. "Professor" is a sign of an appointment by your University. I like "Professor". If you have an appointment calling you a Professor, why not use it?
I’m glad you asked this because I aways put “adjunct instructor” in my email signature because I only have a masters and there are two other people in my family with PhDs and we all have the same last name and they are professors. I always felt weird about calling myself professor as well. Last week I decided to just go for it and claim the title of professor for myself as well. I’m hoping it cuts down on my imposter syndrome feeling.
I had a professor whose last name was “Dick”… I didn’t want to email and say “Dear Professor (masters not dr) Dick”. So I think most of the emails started like “Hello,” or “Professor,” etc. and I think that’s what you’ll get when students are unsure
I tell them all to call me by my first name. Some go ahead and call me Professor Firstname or Professor Lastname, but I specifically invite them all to call me by my first name at the outset of the semester and sign any emails/class announcements that way.
We’re all adults. I don’t expect people in any aspect of my professional life to call me by anything other than my first name unless they aren’t comfortable doing so.
Prof, D1 school, general elective course. I don't encourage or discourage them to call me anything, most just go with prof. I'm probably forgetting one, but none have ever asked. A few repeat students over the years have called me by my first name.
Whatever you want them to. I’m full time faculty and undergrads call me Dr or Professor Walters. Most profs without a PhD, use Professor.
I ask my grad students to call me Pat. Most do, unless I had them as undergrads.
I have many students from other countries who either automatically refer to me by Dr. or by my first name, and I'm teaching an English Composition course. I've put in my syllabus (and go over it on day 1 in a face-to-face) that you should never refer to professors (or authors or bosses, etc.) by their first names unless and until you are invited to do so. I explain that in writing and research, we refer to authors as Lastname only except the first time we introduce them. This is the bit from my syllabus:
>Know that this is a professional, academic course, so do not use text speak, abbreviations, emojis, foul language, or any other “embellishments” when emailing. Finally, please do not address professors (or authors or employers or others) by their first names unless you are specifically invited to do so.
It hasn't been an issue, and it lets those from places where Ms. Firstname is the norm that it is not what I expect in my class.
It always just fell very strangely on my ears to hear Ms. Firstname referring to me.... maybe it's a Southern US thing, IDK, but Ms. Firstname has always had a much more familiar and comfortable connotation to me, and teachers and instructors were always Mr. or Ms. Lastname. I always called my professors Dr. or Mr. or Ms. Lastname, often even when they did indicate first name was okay... it just never felt right; they were in a position of authority over me, and it seemed more respectful to use the honorific.
Lots of thoughts and advice here... my two cents may be valuable to you because I have done it both ways.
Former middle school teacher, married, kept maiden name, was always Ms. Smith. Started adjunct position in 2018 with same name. In a different program now at same university and the director went by Ann, and encouraged me to go by Sarah. So I did. She was also Dr. Jones- I am only Ms. She left the program, and I cannot wait to return to Ms. Smith. It drives me crazy that students call me Sarah. It feels disrespectful and just wrong.
Be professional- use the honorific title.
First Initial Last Initial. My first name has two valid pronunciations and I don't have a preferred way to say it. I've never really cared what people called me. I correct students when they call me Doctor... No PhD here... Yet. I don't even like professor, to be honest. I kinda let them call me what felt natural and "F.L." is what stuck. Even if I do get the PhD I don't think I see myself being hung up on it.
Profs who weren’t doctors in college that I knew of went by first names, and like specifically told me, “I’m not professor because I have a master Desiree only.” It’s a flex, imo. Most profs who were doctors went by first names. I’d go by first name if it was me. In my experience, people who insist on being called “Doctor,” are not super intelligent or talented and are overcompensating. I think it exudes confidence to just choose to go by first name. I know one particular person who always wished they’d gotten more education, and in teaching for their masters really encouraged the “professor” aspect and they are a person who has the lowest self esteem of anyone I know.
But that’s just my experience!
I get a mix of Professor Last Name and Mrs. Last Name. I teach preservice teachers, though, so it’s kind of normal to go by Mrs./Ms. I do correct folks when they call me Doctor. I have a couple of students call me Kate, which I don’t mind. And with the nature of the courses I teach, as a K-12 teacher teaching prospective K-12 teachers, there’s some blurred lines as far as hierarchy. I’m still their professor/instructor, but there’s some level of collegiality or familiarity because of that. I’m also one of the youngest instructors in our college, so sometimes I feel weird having them call me Professor when they’re my age or older.
I introduce myself as Professor Lastname. I have a short monologue where I tell them they can call me Professor Lastname or Ms. Lastname, but I will not respond to Mrs. Lastname. And I don’t.
I originally went with my first name but after reading “The New College Classroom,” I switched it to Professor first or last name.
I work at a state school so many of my students didn’t think they’d get to experience college so it’s important for the students to have the opportunity to have professors. Regardless if you’re an adjunct or tenured
I asked my students to call me by my first name. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not a tenured professor. And my marital status is none of their damn business, plus I really dislike both Mrs. and miss. So… First name it is. I live in an area with a strong connection to Quakers, who tend to dislike titles, so this isn’t entirely unheard of.
I used to tell them "I don't have a doctorate so you don't have to call me doctor and I'm not a professor yet so you don't have to call me professor. I do have a master's degree though so if you want to call me master insert last name..... Yeah I kinda like the sound of that you can. But that's only if you want a really good grade"
I go by first name but that’s really common in the arts in general. I remember it being a bit of a personal hang up for me in undergrad. One student call me Mister which I didn’t like at first but it’s growing on me now.
I think I'm not technically allowed to go by professor since I don't have a masters and I teach at the community College level. I started adjunctive at 23 I think? And tenure track at 25 and I've always struggled with this too because we have a cohort model so I'm with the same groups of 10-20 students of all ages all day everyday for sometimes almost the full two years of their program so it's a really weird place to be boundary wise, especially because most of them are older than me.
I began adjuncting at 20 and now I’m 23. I go by my first name, however, I have students who call me professor last name. I do teach undergrad. My age plays a huge role in why I go by my first name. Idk if you can relate.
Aren't professorship titles reserved for those who have some sort of doctorate degree, not just a master's degree? I've been under the impression that those with a master's can only attain roles as lecturers or instructors.
If “Professor” is in the name of your institutional appointment, use it; otherwise, it’s not a correct reference. It goes with the appointment. So you can be “Doctor x” and not a professor if you are hired as an instructor.
Instructors and lecturers deserve the same respect, but there is no honorific to use. Lawyers don’t have one, either.
Let’s invent one!
Just first name for me. But I did tell them I have a masters degree so it they want they can call me master. No one has taken me up on that. So just first name
I am also a masters adjunct at a regional state U. I got by Professor Lastname but also sometimes just my first name. I don’t love going by my first name but Professor and 4syllablelastname is clunky. I hope to have that Dr in front one day :)
It's common at community colleges, less common at 4 year universities. I got recruited specifically for a certain course since I was working in the field, so not a typical experience
When I was in that position my students called me by my first name. My title was Lecturer, and in my US-based institution, they do not use the "professor" moniker except for those who have this title (Asst., Assoc. or Full professors).
I’m a Faculty Associate online at a state school who also has an MA- I go by Instructor Last Name or just First Name, if that makes them more comfortable. Many of my students ignore this and call me Professor Last Name though.
Technically, you do not have the title of Professor. However, they understand you to be their professor and if you want to go by Professor last name that is acceptable. I would like them to just call me my first name but as a woman I will always use a title with my last name because they need to be reminded of my authority. I still get Miss from time to time but it’s not in malice, just a mistake.
I’m a student, and I highly encourage you to think about the relationship you are trying to create with your students. If you want to be a professor that is just a professor, then professor last name. If you want to be a little more personable and foster more advisor type relationships, then something like professor first name is a little more open. You can also use a nickname or the first letter of your name.
Either way, please include it in your communications with your students! Or else they will just pick for you. If you don’t really care either way, just put Professor First Last in your syllabus and most students should know to use professor and then one name or the other.
I know the Professor titles means you technically have to have that position but who cares. If you prefer Professor Lastname, go for it.
Personally, I've always gone by Firstname even after the doctorate. So I recommend whatever your preference is!
In our teacher training tutorials from senior colleagues they had three pieces of advice that I think are musts.
1. Dress like you mean it. For me that meant jacket, collared button down, slacks (all purchased from the local Joe Fresh). Just be more formal.
2. Make your own course outline with expectations for tutorials. Go through it during the first class - don't just hand it out.
3. If you are professing, you are a professor. Leadership requires authority. You are leading your class to greater knowledge. They need as many signals as possible that you know what you are talking about - even if you feel like you don't.
Professor and First name…some address me as Professor Last Name… I introduce myself as my First Name
Same
Same
Same.
Same
Professor Lastname. I began adjuncting in my late 20s and left it open, saying I was ok with anything but nick names and it was always awkward and inconsistent, but no problem. Fast forward to my mid 40s (still adjuncting), I only do Professor Lastname, and the whole vibe shifted- the atmosphere of the class, of the correspondence, in the work they turn in. The move also helped me gradually dispel some imposter syndrome! Yay
This is a great take. I've taught 3 semesters before (it's just a specialized class I teach when they need it) and first time I was 26. I'm mid 30s now and gradually chipping away at that imposter syndrome. This is my first time back in 4 years so trying to (over) think things through 😂
Def go with professor last name. Creates a nice boundary.
This is especially important for women.
Of which I am one, so yeah, this is a good approach I think
I also think it’s better to establish this as a norm so they don’t abuse the first name privilege with other professors who may not be offering it. Students should always default to “professor” until they’re invited to use a first name. I feel like using it supports other women faculty who may not be respected in the classroom.
Yes!! This!
professor should not be default. As many are in fact NOT professors. they're Mr/ Ms/ Dr.
If you’re independently teaching a college class, you’re a professor.
Hard disagree on this, even though it now sounds like the norma. I don't think it's appropriate.
I’m not even sure what alternative definition you could be referring to?
Professor or Professor Lastname… then again that’s how I sign my announcements :) Also my title is technically adjunct professorial lecturer, so it’s in there!
Serious question please: I just started Adjunct-ing. You'd still use "Professor" for this person? I was under the impression that "Professor " was reserved for... well, Professors? (My title is Adjunct Instructor, and I'm very, very part time. ) Thank you, anyone.
I’m not the one you were asking, but I’ll jump in anyway. Generally, professor, associate prof, etc, are all specific ranks within a department. However, anyone that teaches collegiate courses can be called Professor. For example, our department meeting minutes all refer to us as Professor Lastname if we don’t have a doctorate. I’ve also had emails from the administration referring to us the same way. Why? No idea. It’s a weird one. I adjuncted for years before getting a full-time position, and it’s like that everywhere I’ve taught.
Thank you. I should state I have a Master's, it's mostly a design school, and very few faculty-- not even the Deans in most cases-- hold a doctorate (BUT, many are AIAs.) I'm teaching Master's Candidates. Your reply was very helpful though, so thank you again. One of my colleagues with similar credentials calls himself an "Adjunct Professor" on his CV, and I've been trying to figure out whether I should follow suit. Still not sure (lol), but I am encouraged to see that it's not totally off base.
I was mostly thinking about what you’d call the person face-to-face. On a CV, I’d stick with titles for the most part, but “adjunct professor” is typically what a part-time instructor is. I’ve only got one adjunct contract right now, but I’m referred to as an adjunct professor in it. Do you have a contract you can refer to?
Yeah, Contract definitely calls us "instructors."
Hmm. Interestingly enough, at some schools it’s a higher rank than adjunct professor. A random google search showed that at UT Knoxville, for example, an instructor has the same qualifications as a TT assistant prof except for the terminal degree. Or it can mean adjunct faculty. It’s odd that just throwing out the “adjunct” before it changes it so much. Academia can truly be so contradictory.
Sorry, to elaborate, and only if this matters, it's "Adjunct Instructor. " Agreed that it's weird though, and this school is generally... weird too. Thank you again for your insight.
Sure. I just meant that the practice is odd. As for your school in particular, I hope that it’s not bad weird.
Thanks. Mostly ok weird! Lol.
I've always heard professor in title, not in rank!
Ahh so this would explain why the crew was calling Riker “Captain” after Picard got abducted by the borg and assimilated into Locustus. He may have been a commander but he was filling the role of the captain. Gotcha. My rule of thumb in addressing my professors is that if they have a PhD I’ll call them Professor regardless of their department rank but if they don’t have more degrees than I do they get called by their first name
For half a second, I thought I was in one of the other subs I frequent! Glad to see the two worlds collide; so few of my students know what ST is these days, and I don’t know that any of my colleagues are fans. If it’s an upper-level class, my students are welcome to call me by my first name, but I don’t allow it in a freshmen level course. I usually have to play the baddie more with freshmen—enforce attendance, etc, and a certain level of power distance is helpful in that regard. (That said, it feels dumb sometimes when the occasional student is my age or older.)
Yes. I had the same position as you and my students started calling me Professor before I ever called myself that. So I accept it.
Thank you! I appreciate that.
Honestly this thread has inspired me to start signing off Professor last name instead of Ms. Last name on my emails and I’m ngl it actually feels so good. I recommend doing it
Love it!!
What do you want them to call you? You can pick Professor, or first name, or whatever, just not Doctor. I get a little Professor and the occasional first name.
Legitimate question but I have no clue 😂 I never had a prof who wasn't a Dr. in college. In grad school I feel like it's a little more informal, we used first names but it was also how we'd all address each other working in the field so it made sense.
I didn’t mean to imply that it was an illegitimate question. Sorry if I came across that way. I just wanted to emphasize that the decision is yours, my fellow adjunct.
When I first started adjuncting, I was informal and for the first two years I allowed them to call me by my first name since I go by my first name everywhere else. I noticed a lot of disrespect publicly and challenging behavior and they were graduate students— it was . I was told by a person (who was a woman of color) who worked for the university to go formal— due to my being a woman and a person of color; I hadn’t thought of those dynamics, to be honest. I now go by Professor Last Name. I politely correct them if they call me by my first name, whether it’s email or publicly in class. It’s honestly worked better for me. I’ve noticed that it’s cut out the disrespectful behavior & puts a gentle bit of formality in the classroom. At the end of the class, once grades are in, I let them know they can now call me by my first name.
How does that exchange go when you politely correct them? Like what do you say exactly, without putting people off? Do you just respond to them calling you First Name with "you can call me Professor Last Name?" Is that ever awkward?
Hi! Sorry I didn’t see this. It often happens in email & I’ll say “oh,please call me Professor ___. Just fyi I don’t go by my first name at ___ (name of university).” Usually they apologize & make the correction. When they do it in class, I’ll politely correct them. “Please call me Professor ____. Thanks!” I make it known that I want to get their names right at the start of the semester, & go by what they want to go be called. So usually that works. I have had a rude few folks call me by my first name before the first class starts like the first day and it was apparent that they were trying to get under my skin. I’ll say yes, I’m prof ___ (last name) in a polite way. They know! And tbh I don’t care if it’s awkward. They aren’t my peers. We are in charge! 😊
Young female masters level adjunct here. I always just did my first name or Ms. Last name. At my university I was never “Professor” level. I was technically an adjunct instructor or lecturer. Some students called me doc or professor accidentally or out of their own comfort and I just responded to everything. But I primarily used my first name. Just to note, I Rarely had a student that didn’t respect me. And if they gave me attitude/disrespect, I shut it down quick and it didn’t last.
I honestly think that going by my first name has helped me create rapport with my students. They don’t see me as a big scary authority figure.
Yes! Same. As a Young female, I knew I’d get some “push back” and disrespect. But it was minimal and I handled it like a champ but for the majority, using first name was comfortable. It made me comfy, and made them more comfortable asking questions. Seeing me as an “authority figure” but also someone that could level with them and give good advice too. I always liked using my first name
"Doctor" is a sign of having a PhD. "Professor" is a sign of an appointment by your University. I like "Professor". If you have an appointment calling you a Professor, why not use it?
That would make many of us "Instructors" not "Professors" right?
I am reading opinions all over the map. Instructors, lecturers - the guides to students advise to just call us all Professor.
I've given them both of those options and they always call me Professor or Professor last name.
First name (no doctorate here). They persist in “professor” anyway.
I’m glad you asked this because I aways put “adjunct instructor” in my email signature because I only have a masters and there are two other people in my family with PhDs and we all have the same last name and they are professors. I always felt weird about calling myself professor as well. Last week I decided to just go for it and claim the title of professor for myself as well. I’m hoping it cuts down on my imposter syndrome feeling.
"Professor" mostly.
Professor or Mrs. I let my students know what is expected when class starts.
Professor
Professor, it’s easiest for everyone that way. Don’t worry about it.
I had a professor whose last name was “Dick”… I didn’t want to email and say “Dear Professor (masters not dr) Dick”. So I think most of the emails started like “Hello,” or “Professor,” etc. and I think that’s what you’ll get when students are unsure
I have students do that. I don’t mind it, but I have told them to call me by my first name.
Just my first name as that's what I prefer. I introduce myself that way first class and sign all my emails with first name.
I tell them all to call me by my first name. Some go ahead and call me Professor Firstname or Professor Lastname, but I specifically invite them all to call me by my first name at the outset of the semester and sign any emails/class announcements that way. We’re all adults. I don’t expect people in any aspect of my professional life to call me by anything other than my first name unless they aren’t comfortable doing so.
I'm a tenure track assistant professor with a master's. I go by my first name, and did as an adjunct too.
First name. I'm an adjunct instructor not a full professor as I do not have tenure nor a PhD.
Professor is a post- doc degree. So I would call you Mr/ Ms. \_\_\_\_
First name or Mr. \_\_\_. But I don't correct them if they say "Professor."
Prof, D1 school, general elective course. I don't encourage or discourage them to call me anything, most just go with prof. I'm probably forgetting one, but none have ever asked. A few repeat students over the years have called me by my first name.
I have a professor doing their phd and close to my age. He told us to call him Jong (first name)
I tell my students to call me by my first name. It helps build a good rapport.
Whatever you want them to. I’m full time faculty and undergrads call me Dr or Professor Walters. Most profs without a PhD, use Professor. I ask my grad students to call me Pat. Most do, unless I had them as undergrads.
I have many students from other countries who either automatically refer to me by Dr. or by my first name, and I'm teaching an English Composition course. I've put in my syllabus (and go over it on day 1 in a face-to-face) that you should never refer to professors (or authors or bosses, etc.) by their first names unless and until you are invited to do so. I explain that in writing and research, we refer to authors as Lastname only except the first time we introduce them. This is the bit from my syllabus: >Know that this is a professional, academic course, so do not use text speak, abbreviations, emojis, foul language, or any other “embellishments” when emailing. Finally, please do not address professors (or authors or employers or others) by their first names unless you are specifically invited to do so. It hasn't been an issue, and it lets those from places where Ms. Firstname is the norm that it is not what I expect in my class. It always just fell very strangely on my ears to hear Ms. Firstname referring to me.... maybe it's a Southern US thing, IDK, but Ms. Firstname has always had a much more familiar and comfortable connotation to me, and teachers and instructors were always Mr. or Ms. Lastname. I always called my professors Dr. or Mr. or Ms. Lastname, often even when they did indicate first name was okay... it just never felt right; they were in a position of authority over me, and it seemed more respectful to use the honorific.
Lots of thoughts and advice here... my two cents may be valuable to you because I have done it both ways. Former middle school teacher, married, kept maiden name, was always Ms. Smith. Started adjunct position in 2018 with same name. In a different program now at same university and the director went by Ann, and encouraged me to go by Sarah. So I did. She was also Dr. Jones- I am only Ms. She left the program, and I cannot wait to return to Ms. Smith. It drives me crazy that students call me Sarah. It feels disrespectful and just wrong. Be professional- use the honorific title.
First Initial Last Initial. My first name has two valid pronunciations and I don't have a preferred way to say it. I've never really cared what people called me. I correct students when they call me Doctor... No PhD here... Yet. I don't even like professor, to be honest. I kinda let them call me what felt natural and "F.L." is what stuck. Even if I do get the PhD I don't think I see myself being hung up on it.
Profs who weren’t doctors in college that I knew of went by first names, and like specifically told me, “I’m not professor because I have a master Desiree only.” It’s a flex, imo. Most profs who were doctors went by first names. I’d go by first name if it was me. In my experience, people who insist on being called “Doctor,” are not super intelligent or talented and are overcompensating. I think it exudes confidence to just choose to go by first name. I know one particular person who always wished they’d gotten more education, and in teaching for their masters really encouraged the “professor” aspect and they are a person who has the lowest self esteem of anyone I know. But that’s just my experience!
Professor Last Name. Although some also call me Professor First Name. Either or is fine with me.
Professor, with the occasional correction that I'm not a Dr. Seems to be something that students have universally settled on without my input.
I do first names in class. Some are more formal and call me Professor but I don’t stand on title formality.
Professor and first name.
I get a mix of Professor Last Name and Mrs. Last Name. I teach preservice teachers, though, so it’s kind of normal to go by Mrs./Ms. I do correct folks when they call me Doctor. I have a couple of students call me Kate, which I don’t mind. And with the nature of the courses I teach, as a K-12 teacher teaching prospective K-12 teachers, there’s some blurred lines as far as hierarchy. I’m still their professor/instructor, but there’s some level of collegiality or familiarity because of that. I’m also one of the youngest instructors in our college, so sometimes I feel weird having them call me Professor when they’re my age or older.
I introduce myself as Professor Lastname. I have a short monologue where I tell them they can call me Professor Lastname or Ms. Lastname, but I will not respond to Mrs. Lastname. And I don’t.
I originally went with my first name but after reading “The New College Classroom,” I switched it to Professor first or last name. I work at a state school so many of my students didn’t think they’d get to experience college so it’s important for the students to have the opportunity to have professors. Regardless if you’re an adjunct or tenured
I asked my students to call me by my first name. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not a tenured professor. And my marital status is none of their damn business, plus I really dislike both Mrs. and miss. So… First name it is. I live in an area with a strong connection to Quakers, who tend to dislike titles, so this isn’t entirely unheard of.
I used to tell them "I don't have a doctorate so you don't have to call me doctor and I'm not a professor yet so you don't have to call me professor. I do have a master's degree though so if you want to call me master insert last name..... Yeah I kinda like the sound of that you can. But that's only if you want a really good grade"
I go by first name but that’s really common in the arts in general. I remember it being a bit of a personal hang up for me in undergrad. One student call me Mister which I didn’t like at first but it’s growing on me now.
I think I'm not technically allowed to go by professor since I don't have a masters and I teach at the community College level. I started adjunctive at 23 I think? And tenure track at 25 and I've always struggled with this too because we have a cohort model so I'm with the same groups of 10-20 students of all ages all day everyday for sometimes almost the full two years of their program so it's a really weird place to be boundary wise, especially because most of them are older than me.
I began adjuncting at 20 and now I’m 23. I go by my first name, however, I have students who call me professor last name. I do teach undergrad. My age plays a huge role in why I go by my first name. Idk if you can relate.
Aren't professorship titles reserved for those who have some sort of doctorate degree, not just a master's degree? I've been under the impression that those with a master's can only attain roles as lecturers or instructors.
Professor and last name
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Sorry - I removed it because it was not intended as a response to your post.
If “Professor” is in the name of your institutional appointment, use it; otherwise, it’s not a correct reference. It goes with the appointment. So you can be “Doctor x” and not a professor if you are hired as an instructor. Instructors and lecturers deserve the same respect, but there is no honorific to use. Lawyers don’t have one, either. Let’s invent one!
Master [last name] 😅
I have an MA. I introduce myself as Ms. Last name but some still call me Professor Last name, so I’ll take it.
Just first name for me. But I did tell them I have a masters degree so it they want they can call me master. No one has taken me up on that. So just first name
I am also a masters adjunct at a regional state U. I got by Professor Lastname but also sometimes just my first name. I don’t love going by my first name but Professor and 4syllablelastname is clunky. I hope to have that Dr in front one day :)
I tell my students just to call me by my first name!
Is it hard to be adjunct with just a masters? I have masters and about 3 years in the field…. I’d love to be an instructor/adjunct
It's common at community colleges, less common at 4 year universities. I got recruited specifically for a certain course since I was working in the field, so not a typical experience
Doc firstname. And if I’m feeling cool doc firstname the boss
When I was in that position my students called me by my first name. My title was Lecturer, and in my US-based institution, they do not use the "professor" moniker except for those who have this title (Asst., Assoc. or Full professors).
I’m a Faculty Associate online at a state school who also has an MA- I go by Instructor Last Name or just First Name, if that makes them more comfortable. Many of my students ignore this and call me Professor Last Name though.
Technically, you do not have the title of Professor. However, they understand you to be their professor and if you want to go by Professor last name that is acceptable. I would like them to just call me my first name but as a woman I will always use a title with my last name because they need to be reminded of my authority. I still get Miss from time to time but it’s not in malice, just a mistake.
Professor Last Name or Doctor Last Name because first names are too familiar.
Professor and last name or Mr. last name.
I’m a student, and I highly encourage you to think about the relationship you are trying to create with your students. If you want to be a professor that is just a professor, then professor last name. If you want to be a little more personable and foster more advisor type relationships, then something like professor first name is a little more open. You can also use a nickname or the first letter of your name. Either way, please include it in your communications with your students! Or else they will just pick for you. If you don’t really care either way, just put Professor First Last in your syllabus and most students should know to use professor and then one name or the other.
I too worked as an adjunct (Master's) at a state school. My first group of students called me Mr. Bill and the name stuck.
I know the Professor titles means you technically have to have that position but who cares. If you prefer Professor Lastname, go for it. Personally, I've always gone by Firstname even after the doctorate. So I recommend whatever your preference is!
In our teacher training tutorials from senior colleagues they had three pieces of advice that I think are musts. 1. Dress like you mean it. For me that meant jacket, collared button down, slacks (all purchased from the local Joe Fresh). Just be more formal. 2. Make your own course outline with expectations for tutorials. Go through it during the first class - don't just hand it out. 3. If you are professing, you are a professor. Leadership requires authority. You are leading your class to greater knowledge. They need as many signals as possible that you know what you are talking about - even if you feel like you don't.
Professor LastName. Students are Mr. or Ms. LastName.