Evaluations of Kinesiology Faculty Revisited: Perspectives on the “Moving Goalposts” Problem From the Trenches

Faculty evaluations are among the most consequential yet challenging functions of academic departments. When effective, they provide feedback and guidance that help faculty, especially those at early- and midcareer stages, achieve professional excellence and thrive. Done poorly, they can become major sources of stress and occupational dissatisfaction. In this article, we revisit the issue of faculty evaluations in kinesiology, highlighting pragmatic difficulties faced by administrators and faculty. We present personal vignettes from four departments of kinesiology that differ in size, mission, culture, standards, and evaluation practices. These vignettes illustrate not only the range of challenges encountered across the field but also the diversity of approaches required to address them. Each vignette shares experiences and strategies developed in response to these challenges, offering practical insights for others. Collectively, they underscore the need for thoughtful evaluation processes that reflect the shifting landscape of higher education and the unique contexts of individual departments.