Director, Center for Education

About the position

Widener University is currently seeking a Director of the Center for Education in the College of Health and Human Services. This 12-month position provides leadership and management for all programs and personnel of the Center and will also serve as a Tenure-track faculty member. The Director will serve as the organizational leader of the unit, leading faculty development opportunities for all faculty, promoting inter-disciplinary connections amongst faculty, and cultivating an environment for innovation and creative pedagogy. The role requires providing vision and leadership for the programs in the unit, working in partnership with individual graduate program directors, the Director of Teacher Education, and the Associate Dean/Dean. In this position, the Director will supervise the Director of the Widener Child Development Center and provide oversight for the management and leadership of the WCDC. The Director will also supervise faculty and staff in the Center and engage in the Performance Evaluation System with administrators and support staff. Additionally, the role involves managing Pennsylvania Department of Education accreditation processes and compliance, mentoring faculty development in terms of scholarship, teaching, and service, and managing the Promotion, Tenure, and Academic Freedom process for tenure-track and non-tenure track education faculty. The Director will coordinate the recruitment and search processes for faculty, adjunct faculty, and support staff in the unit. In collaboration with other academic departments, the Director will facilitate, encourage, and guide all curriculum development, revision, and approval in the Center. The role also includes managing and overseeing the Center for Education and Widener Child Development Center budgets, facilitating the work of the unit to develop grant proposals to corporations, foundations, and government agencies, and collaborating on research-based and community-based initiatives with faculty. Furthermore, the Director will cultivate external relations with relevant agencies, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, alumni, foundations, etc., and oversee and manage goals, processes, systems, and programs to enhance student admissions, enrollment, retention, and persistence to degree. The Director will collaborate with offices/departments such as Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, and others to provide an integrated experience that helps students successfully complete their program. Teaching graduate courses on campus, online, or via hybrid formats in the area of expertise is also a key responsibility, along with supervising students on special projects, practicum, and dissertations. The Director is expected to remain current in the academic discipline through continuing study, research, and/or participation in professional activities, engage in scholarly work related to the area of interest, and participate in relevant service responsibilities as a member or chairperson of committees/task forces at the Center, School, and/or University level.

Responsibilities
? Serve as organizational leader of the unit, leading faculty development opportunities for all faculty.
,
? Provide vision and leadership for the programs in the unit, working in partnership with individual graduate program directors, the Director of Teacher Education, and the Associate Dean/Dean.
,
? Supervise the Director of the Widener Child Development Center and provide oversight for the management and leadership of the WCDC.
,
? Supervise faculty and staff in the Center and engage in the Performance Evaluation System with administrators and support staff.
,
? Manage Pennsylvania Department of Education accreditation processes and compliance.
,
? Mentor faculty development in terms of scholarship, teaching, and service, and manage the Promotion, Tenure, and Academic Freedom process for tenure-track and non-tenure track education faculty.
,
? Coordinate the recruitment and search processes for faculty, adjunct faculty, and support staff in the unit.
,
? Facilitate, encourage, and guide all curriculum development, revision, and approval in the Center in collaboration with other academic departments.
,
? Manage and oversee the Center for Education and Widener Child Development Center budgets.
,
? Facilitate the work of the unit to develop grant proposals to corporations, foundations, and government agencies; collaborate on research-based and community-based initiatives with faculty.
,
? Cultivate external relations with relevant agencies, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, alumni, foundations, etc.
,
? Oversee and manage goals, processes, systems, and programs to enhance student admissions, enrollment, retention, and persistence to degree.
,
? Collaborate with offices/departments such as Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, and others to provide an integrated experience that helps students successfully complete their program.
,
? Collaborate with Facilities Management on building needs.
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? Teach graduate courses on campus, online, or via hybrid formats in area of expertise, carrying a load similar to others that hold faculty and administrative positions.
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? Demonstrate effectiveness in teaching and student assessment; use faculty development opportunities and teacher effectiveness tools to improve teaching.
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? Supervise students on special projects, practicum, and dissertations (including chair or member of committee).
,
? Remain current in the academic discipline through continuing study, research, and/or participation in professional activities.
,
? Engage in scholarly work related to area of interest on a regular basis and as required by expectations of the program and Center.
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? Pursue an active research agenda, resulting in contributions and dissemination through research, presentations, and/or publications.
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? Participate in relevant service responsibilities as a member or chairperson of committees/task forces at the Center, School, and/or University level.

Requirements
? A terminal degree in Education or a related field
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? Experience, qualifications and record of teaching excellence and scholarship for faculty appointment at the Associate Professor rank
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? Experience with higher education in recruitment and retention of students, curriculum development, and fiscal management of resources
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? Experience in supervision and mentoring of higher education personnel and faculty
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? Strong written and oral communication skills
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? Experience with curriculum development and assessment processes
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? Strong record of research and publication in area(s) of expertise
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? Demonstration of collaborative experiences with colleagues in their profession and workplace

Nice-to-haves
? Experience leading a department or unit in an academic setting
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? Record of demonstrated advocacy and leadership in education at the local, state and/or national level
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? Experience in accreditation and state compliance processes
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? Supervisory experience of staff and faculty

Benefits
? Flexible work policy allowing for hybrid or remote work arrangements
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? Commitment to fostering an inclusive community
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? Equal opportunity employer status

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