Category:: Staff and Administrators
Subscribe::
Department:: DOF-Dean of the Faculty 4001
Locations:: Worcester, MA
Posted:: Apr 25, 2023
Closes:: Open Until Filled
Type:: Full-time - Exempt
Position ID:: 161575

About Clark University:

Founded in 1887, Clark was one of the first all-graduate institutions in the United States. Today the University is a highly-ranked, student-centered institution educating approximately 2,350 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate students to be imaginative and contributing citizens of the world and to advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding through rigorous scholarship and creative effort. This commitment to scholarship and inquiry reflects the University's commitment to "challenge convention and change our world" and to address issues of critical importance to society. It is also reflected by Clark's many national and international distinctions, including recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, innovation, community engagement and impact, as a top green campus, and for having a distinguished geography and international development program. Clark has also been included in the groundbreaking Colleges that Change Lives guide since it was first published in 1996.

Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a dynamic, diverse city "on the rise." The second largest city in New England, Worcester is home to 11 institutions of higher learning and is increasingly recognized for its growing healthcare and biotechnology communities, its thriving cultural scene, and as a vibrant food hub.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Associate Provost & Dean of the Faculty, the Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning (CETAL) will be primarily responsible for leading all faculty development efforts related to enhancing pedagogical goals and strategies, and methods for assessment of teaching efficacy as it related to student learning outcomes. Working collaboratively across Academic Affairs units, including with relevant staff in the office of the Dean of the Faculty, Dean of the College, and Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research, the successful candidate will utilize a data-informed approach to identifying faculty development needs and work directly with faculty and academic departments and programs to create workshops and facilitate various professional development opportunities that will improve faculty capacity to respond to the changing needs of a diverse student body; coordinate pedagogical training opportunities for graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) as future faculty members; and support training for undergraduate peer learning assistants (PLAs). Working closely with the Assistant Provost for Organizational Learning and Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research, the incumbent will help prepare faculty for course and program review as part of the institution's regular accreditation processes, serving as the primary point of contact regarding matters related to program assessment/evaluation, support coordination of assessment and evaluation efforts, and supporting NECHE accreditation learning outcomes assessment standards.

The work of the Director of CETAL is supported by the faculty governance CETAL Steering Committee and engages relevant governance committees as appropriate (such as Undergraduate Academic Board and Grad Board).

Major roles and responsibilities of the Director will entail:

• Establishing a culture of assessment at the individual faculty and departmental level
• Coordination of faculty development opportunities in the areas of syllabus and course design, delivery, assessment of student learning outcomes, and best practices in faculty advising
• Assisting faculty in the development and application of assessment tools for student learning outcomes at general education and introductory course levels as well as academic program major/minor learning objectives level
• Convening faculty and external scholars and partners for interdisciplinary discussions about teaching, advising, and learning, and offering opportunities for faculty to inquire about, explore, and reflect upon teaching, advising, and learning as ongoing and collaborative processes
• Working with faculty to create communities of teacher-scholars to develop and share best practices, and to promote inclusive excellence in student learning
• Oversight of course and syllabus consultations, classroom observations, student evaluation consultations, and presentation consultations; compilation of teaching and learning resources such as publications and online resources addressing a wide range of topics
• Promotion of equity-minded approaches to diversity, access, and inclusion matters from curricular and pedagogical perspectives
• Pursuit of grant opportunities that will amplify the institutional capacity for faculty to innovate a culture of excellence in teaching, learning, and assessment
• Fostering community by designing and implementing efforts that bring together faculty, staff, graduate students, and postdocs from across the disciplines.
• Supporting academic unit heads in refining program-level outcomes and assessment processes
• Designing and/or refining assessment instruments, collect data, maintain digital repositories, analyze findings, and submit official accreditation assessment reports
• Use of assessment data to support faculty in improving curricula and advancing pedagogical excellence
• Communication of assessment processes and outcomes to accreditation agencies (NECHE)

Specific Tasks Include:

• Organize professional development workshop series and annual Faculty Professional Development Day
• Conduct Graduate Teaching Assistant professional development trainings
• Conduct Undergraduate Peer Learning Assistant professional development trainings
• Collaborate with Assistant Provost for Organizational Learning on developing assessment metrics as well as tools, resources, and interventions to improve student learning outcomes through improved pedagogical practices and strategies
• Assist with NECHE accreditation processes related to assessment of learning outcomes
• Serve as administrative appointee to CETAL Steering Committee
• Maintain Canvas site and disseminate CETAL newsletter
• Coordinate pedagogical communities of practice, including the Anti-racist Praxis and Pedagogy Group
• Teach one undergraduate course annually that contributes to our program of liberal studies (general education curriculum)
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Graduate degree in relevant field, doctorate preferred
• Teaching experience at the college level, ideally in a research-based liberal arts context
• Minimum 3 years' experience in higher education assessment
• Experience with academic accreditation
• Ability to build and inspire community around pedagogy, faculty advising, and assessment
• Possess expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and visualization
• Ability to make data-driven recommendations for program improvement in various academic disciplines
• Ability to collaborate with institutional leaders, faculty, staff, and external constituencies (accreditation agencies, program reviewers, etc.)
• Talent for communicating assessment questions, findings, and recommendations to a variety of stakeholder audiences
• Advanced technical skills, including experience with survey systems, statistical methodology, and qualitative research
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational, project management, and team leadership skills

Clark University currently requires all employees and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions will be made for medical or disability reasons or religious beliefs, and could be made, at the sole discretion of the University, for other well-documented reasons.

Additional Information:

Clark University embraces equal opportunity as a core value: we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. This commitment applies to every aspect of education, services, and employment policies and practices at Clark. Our commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. All positions at Clark share in the responsibility for building a community that values diversity and the uniqueness of others by exhibiting integrity and respect in interacting with all members of the Clark community to create an atmosphere of fairness and belonging. We strongly encourage members from historically underrepresented communities, inclusive of all women, to apply.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your credentials online. Create a Clark University Careers Account by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below. You will be able to upload the following documents, which are required for consideration:

• Resume
• Cover letter

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

Already have a Clark University Careers Account? Login to your account to add documents or update your account.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

A successful background check is required upon acceptance.