About ACN

The Academic Career Network (ACN) was established as a means of addressing a critical need within the Academy. The significant number of dual-career couples, both of whom are scholars and desire to live together, is posing real challenges for schools in both retaining and recruiting top-notch candidates. But very few schools have the financial means to add new academic positions for faculty partners, resulting in a seemingly intractable dilemma for couples and schools alike.

ACN, conceived as a joint effort of the academic deans of the Five Colleges (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith colleges, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst), strives to put more resources at the disposal of these couples as they explore employment opportunities within the region where one of them is currently teaching or has an offer of appointment. The links found on the ACN home page are one such resource, making it simple to access postings at over 150 schools and colleges in the region. There are also other resources available exclusively for participating faculty partners: a database of faculty positions at member institutions, professional development workshops, referral to contacts at member schools, and assistance networking with the private sector, including hospitals and others within the region. Member institutions are served in turn by having password access to curriculum vitae and résumés of potential candidates online.

Initially established in the spring of 2003 with a planning grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, ACN has continued to evolve, grow, and change in response to its members and those they seek to serve. This year, for example, ACN explicitly expanded its mission to give equal emphasis to supporting the efforts of its member schools to achieve greater diversity.

ACN is administered through and based at Five Colleges, Incorporated in Amherst, Massachusetts. Questions regarding the Academic Career Network may be directed to the Coordinator, Academic Career Network; Five Colleges, Incorporated; 97 Spring Street; Amherst, MA 01002 (Tel 413.256.8316, Fax 413.256.0249).

Terms & Conditions of Use

Please click here to read the Terms & Conditions of Use for the Academic Career Network.