Xavier University's Center of Teaching Excellence (CTE) is seeking applications for the position of Administrative Director. The Administrative Director provides creative and strategic leadership for a center that has firmly established itself as a vital, energetic, and collaborative place for engaging faculty in significant conversations about teaching. The Administrative Director partners collaboratively with a rotating CTE Faculty Director to determine strategic direction for the Center and to implement relevant and engaging programs. The Administrative Director helps disseminate best practices in pedagogy and fosters faculty participation in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The Administrative Director collaborates with related areas across campus and fosters alignment of CTE activities with institutional priorities, including its commitments to teaching excellence, inclusive pedagogy, student success, and innovative practices and course delivery methods. The Administrative Director oversees the administrative operations of the CTE, including the budget, physical spaces, support staff and assessment.
The CTE’s mission is to support Xavier faculty in creating inclusive, collaborative learning environments that challenge our students intellectually, morally, and spiritually to become engaged scholars and citizens. The Center promotes effective teaching that is reflective, engaging, creative, and informed by both pedagogical and disciplinary knowledge. Hundreds of faculty have participated in Center programs including Faculty Learning Communities, the Diversity and Inclusion Teaching Academy, Persistence Project, Book Discussion Groups, Faculty in Residence course observations, Teaching Mentoring Pairs, the Teaching as Research Program, New Faculty Orientation, workshops, panel discussions, and social events. In addition to the Faculty Director, the CTE is supported through faculty associates and a faculty advisory group, as well as an assistant director position, which is primarily dedicated to an HHMI grant project, and an operations coordinator position that also supports adjacent units.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide strategic oversight to the Center for Teaching Excellence, in alignment with the CTE mission and University strategic priorities and current, evidence-based practices in the field of teaching and learning. This includes:
- Communicating with academic leadership to assess needs and goals related to excellence in teaching and learning and advocate for resources, in alignment with University strategic and academic plans
- Collaborating with the CTE Faculty Director and to determine priorities and schedules for programming
- Creating strategies to meet the diverse needs of instructors, including new faculty, full-time tenure-track faculty and teaching professors, and adjunct faculty
- Contributing to University strategic initiatives with implications for teaching, such as classroom design, evaluation of teaching, student success, etc.
- Cultivating a pipeline of faculty leaders to fill CTE roles and mentoring the rotating faculty director and associates
- Staying abreast of and implementing best practices and emerging trends in the field of faculty development, while remaining active in teaching
Implement CTE programs in collaboration with the CTE Faculty Director. This includes:
- Identifying external and internal speakers and facilitators to offer timely and evidence-based programs, and conducting workshops on teaching-related issues
- Coordinating and implementing signature programs and soliciting active participation of faculty
- Assessing impact of programs and making improvements based upon result
Partner with areas on campus, particularly in support of inclusive teaching, community-engaged and mission-based pedagogies, and online learning.
Provide oversight to administrative functions of the CTE, including budgets, physical spaces and resources; supervise assistant director and operations coordinator for the CTE.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Master’s degree
- 3-5 years related experience
- Experience teaching in higher education
- Qualifications needed to serve as an instructor at Xavier
- Knowledge of pedagogical theories and practices that support effective teaching, including those related to active learning, course design, inclusive pedagogy, and adult learning
- Evidence of commitment to student-centered, inclusive, engaged learning
- Experience leading faculty groups and/or initiatives
- Track record of fostering collaboration, particularly in a higher education environment
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Experience managing budgets
Preferred:
- Terminal or doctoral degree in an academic discipline at Xavier
- Experience working in a higher education teaching and learning center
- Experience designing and delivering faculty development programs in in-person and blended formats
- 3+ years of successful teaching in higher education
- Experience with innovative pedagogy, such as interdisciplinary teaching, technology-enhanced teaching, or active learning methods
- Experience with inclusive teaching training and practices
- Contribution to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
- Experience teaching online courses
- Participation in national organizations on university teaching
Work hours are in-person M-F 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, with occasional need for earlier or later hours. Some flexible scheduling may be available, particularly during the summer.
Xavier University is an integral part of the 500-year-old Jesuit Catholic tradition of academic excellence in the liberal arts, with a strong commitment to advancing a culture of diversity, equity and belonging. These values are central to our mission. We strive for a climate of respect and inclusiveness that welcomes and supports members from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, is committed unreservedly to open and free inquiry, and deliberately seeks out varied perspectives.
Xavier University is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
To ensure consideration, interested and qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and the names and contact information of three professional references on Xavier University's website. Review of applications will start on July 30, 2024. Application will be accepted until the position closes at the University's discretion.
Benefits
Xavier University offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and employment class.
- Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
- Tax advantaged accounts including health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.
- Financial security via life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
- Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
- Tuition remission for employees and their eligible dependents.