lead instructor

Definition

The faculty member coordinating a multi-section course taught by various instructors, responsible for standardizing content while pretending everyone will follow the common syllabus. It's herding cats, but the cats have PhDs and opinions.

Example Usage

As lead instructor for Intro Biology, she created detailed lesson plans that her fellow instructors immediately modified to suit their preferences.

Origin

Administrative role formalized as large-enrollment courses proliferated in the late 20th century

Fun Fact

Lead instructor positions often come with minimal extra compensation despite significant coordination responsibilities, exemplifying academia's love of unpaid labor disguised as service.

Source: Academic coordination and multi-section course management

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