Division Chair of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

The University of Saint Mary is a Roman Catholic, liberal arts university located in Leavenworth, Kansas, just 25 minutes away from Kansas City. For over 90 years, the University of Saint Mary has helped students find their way to meaningful lives and careers through an education that blends the liberal arts and a focus on critical thinking with the development of key professional skills. USM serves about 1,400 students at its main campus in Leavenworth, its satellite location in Overland Park, as well as online.

POSITION SUMMARY:

USM is seeking a creative, dynamic and innovative individual to provide leadership to the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.  This position is a 12-month appointment with partial teaching responsibilities in biology courses and laboratories.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides academic leadership for the Division.
• Plans, coordinates and evaluates short- and long-range goals and objectives for the Division.
• Provides information and makes recommendations to the Academic Dean and Provost on matters related to the Division.
• Provides leadership and guidance in faculty and staff searches and supports access, equity, and diversity.
• Directs and evaluates the work of the program directors, faculty, and support staff
• Instructs assigned course(s) per academic semester.
• Advise and/or mentor students through posted office hours, electronic communications, and other appropriate methods.
• Monitors policies/procedures in alignment with USM mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Receives, reviews, facilitates and assures proper and timely resolution of student, staff, faculty, program issues, complaints and conflicts.
• Participates in university meetings, committees, or task forces.
• Formulates and administers the division budget and sets priorities for resource allocation and utilization.
• Collaborates with Marketing/Admissions recruitment and provides leadership in establishing and meeting enrollment goals; analyzes retention information and ensures a focus on enrollment/recruitment management within the division and across the University; develops marketing strategies leading to program recognition and growth.
• Provides leadership and support in accomplishing accreditation, program review, and program assessment activities; engages in best practice research and evidence-based analysis and works in collaboration with colleagues, completes internal and external reporting requirements.
• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures and regulations.
• Administers and monitors instructional programs and courses to assure compliance with established curriculum, program accreditation standards and requirements.
• Develops schedule, monitors enrollments, class sizes and faculty workloads and curriculum changes.
• Actively engages in community organizations and/or events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize goals/objectives and to exercise informed judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies, procedures and activities.
• Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information in order to develop procedures and to solve problems.
• Strong managerial skills, initiative, and vision in program development and administration.
• Ability to apply budgeting and fiscal planning techniques within fiscal constraints in order to maximize resources.
• Ability to present information effectively to administrators/staff/faculty/students/external groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively—orally, in person, in writing, and by telephone
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Doctorate degree or willing to pursue doctorate required.
• Established record of teaching, advising, assessment, research, and service within the disciplines in the Division.
• Previous leadership experience in postsecondary academic administrative leadership preferred.
• Experience in curriculum development, assessment, budget management, research, supervision, development and evaluation of faculty.
• Commitment to, and ability to communicate and promote, the philosophy, mission, and core values of the University of Saint Mary.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to relate to individuals of varied ethnicity, ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Project management and problem-solving skills with the ability to use computer information systems for data collection, analysis and reporting to identify trends and needs.