Director, Office of Distance Education and Support

Western Illinois University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission , serves over 7,500 students at its traditional, residential four-year campus in Macomb, IL and its metropolitan branch campus in Moline, IL. Compliance to state and federal hiring standards is coordinated through WIU's Office of Equal Opportunity & Access.

Western Illinois University is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, veterans, women and individuals with disabilities. WIU has a non-discrimination policy that includes discrimination based on an individual's membership in the following classes: sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other classes protected by state or federal law.

Job Description:

APPOINTMENT: Spring 2021

RESPONSIBILITIES: Western Illinois University seeks innovative and diverse candidates for the inaugural position of Director for the Office of Distance Education and Support (ODES).  The director will work to coordinate activities with the ODES team to provide strategic vision across alternative format delivery, instruction, training and support.  The director will work collaboratively with WIU faculty, department chairs/program directors, instructional designers, and staff in the design, implementation, of online courses; setting direction and managing the instructional design and development processes. The director will work closely with the Office of Student Engagement and the Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Strategic Planning in the assessment of online learning educational and technological needs and make recommendations about new technologies, software, and applications that will enhance the online learning environment for WIU students and faculty. The director will coordinate with student services and enrollment management personnel to ensure appropriate services are available for online students, including responsibility for managing the delivery of student services to online and distance education students. The director will coordinate with the Chief Information Office (CIO), and/or University Technology (uTech) on a regular basis regarding the support of and evolution of distance learning technologies, including but not limited to course management systems, videoconferencing technologies, etc.  Additionally, the director is responsible for supervising and evaluating instructional designers and online learning support staff to ensure delivery of the highest quality online education.  This position reports to the Provost. 

RANK & SALARY: Negotiable, commensurate with experience. Western Illinois University offers a competitive benefits package including domestic partner benefits. For full benefit information visit: http://www.wiu.edu/vpas/human_resources/benefits/.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree from an appropriately accredited college or university with significant experience in online education, student services, adult learning or related field

Minimum of three (3) years of experience working on distance education
Experience with a commercial learning management system such as Blackboard or Desire2Learn. 
Knowledge in Instructional design, e-learning, media development, and training in multiple formats 
Strong interpersonal, presentation and other communication skills
Proven ability to work with diverse faculty populations, preferably in a variety of disciplines

Preferred Qualifications:

Five (5) or more years of experience working on distance education
Experience teaching university-level courses online
Experience addressing intellectual property issues in an academic setting.
Experience designing and implementing professional development programming for faculty focused on student learning and technology
Familiarity with the scholarship and practice of teaching and learning
Familiarity with adult learning theories, learning styles and learning outcomes assessment techniques

For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be "in hand" at the time of application.

Additional Information:

THE DEPARTMENT: The mission of the office of Distance Education and Support is to provide the university community with opportunities and resources for their professional and personal enrichment. This office will acknowledge, recognize, and champion faculty in all their roles.

Specifically this office will:

Facilitate the development of outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators who are enabled in their efforts/commitment to providing superior instruction, conduct research, and service.
Facilitate the development of faculty and administrators who are proactive in managing/responding to changing external and internal circumstances, including university, state, national, and international priorities.
Provide professional development opportunities to faculty, staff, and administrators designed to enrich the educational experience of the students of Western Illinois University. This includes enhancements in areas such as technology, pedagogy, research, and teaching.
Strengthen community at the University and encourage productive collaborative relationships among all participants.

The office of Distance Education and Support is supported by two instructional design and technology specialists and an office manager. 

THE UNIVERSITY: Since 1902, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.

More than 66 undergraduate degree programs, nearly 40 graduate programs and two doctoral programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation. Outside the classroom at Western, concerts, lectures, presentations, films, dance performances and more are performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, as well as a variety of service-oriented projects and activities, all in a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The Multicultural Center is home to four cultural and resource centers: The Gwendolyn Brooks, Casa Latina, the Women's Center, and the LGBT*QA Resource Center. These cultural and resource centers promote WIU's goal of enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through educational programming and advocacy.

The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 19 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. Football competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision through the Missouri Valley Football Conference; all other varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Summit League.

WIU-Macomb, IL (Student Population: 6,432): A traditional, residential four-year campus with  offering a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, WIU-Macomb is located in the heart of west central Illinois in Macomb (population 20,000). Amtrak provides twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in-between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).

WIU-Quad Cities (Student Population: 1,192): The only public university in the Quad Cities area, WIU-QC offers select undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education and a doctorate in environmental studies, at its metropolitan, non-residential campus in Moline, IL.

Application Instructions:

APPLICATION: Complete applications include:

1) a letter of application

2) current curriculum vita or resume

3) the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three current professional references

4) a separate statement regarding your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Please upload the requested documents by clicking APPLY NOW or by navigating to the WIU Employment page at the following URL http://www.wiu.edu/employment/

**Note** In order to upload Individual documents must be under 2 MB in size.

Screening will begin on January 4, 2021.

Western Illinois University endeavors to provide a safe environment for its employees and students and requires candidates to submit to a background investigation upon offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon compliance with University policies and procedures relating to the receipt and evaluation of information contained in the background investigation.

Questions regarding the search may be directed to: Debbie Kepple-Mamros at dj-kepple-mamros@wiu.edu.

For assistance with the online application system contact the Human Resources at (309)298-1971 or via email at academicpersonnel@wiu.edu.