Assistant Provost of Faculty Development, Teaching, and Learning

Assistant Provost

Lander University

Position Description: Lander University seeks applications for the position Assistant Provost of Faculty Development, Teaching, and Learning. The successful candidate will be an experienced academic eager to develop and implement a strategic vision for a Center for Faculty Excellence: The Assistant Provost will serve as director of the center, focusing on:

• Fostering professional development in faculty across all career stages
• Coordinating programming and resources for effective teaching and learning, including online instruction and teaching technologies
• Supporting efforts to improve student learning and success

In addition, the Assistant Provost will be a key member of the Provost’s leadership team, identifying and advocating for faculty needs.

The Assistant Provost of Faculty Development, Teaching, and Learning is a 12-month academic administrative appointment, reporting directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. The position will also hold academic rank in a college or school of the university and teach at least one course per semester. The successful candidate will establish a new Center for Faculty Excellence at the university.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in an academic discipline from a regionally accredited college or university. 
• A record of teaching and scholarship sufficient to earn the rank of associate professor in one of the disciplines of a College or School at the university. 
• Evidence of excellence in teaching in higher education
• Experience in faculty development, such as mentoring, peer review, or service as an academic chair.
• Excellent management, collaboration, communication, and leadership skills.

In addition, the following qualifications are highly desirable:

• Experience as a director of a center for teaching and learning
• Evidence of a record of developing and delivering professional development programming for faculty
• Knowledge of research on a variety of teaching modalities, such as face-to-face, online, and hybrid.
• A record of accomplishments sufficient to earn the rank of professor in one of the disciplines of a College or School at the university. 
• Experience at a public regional comprehensive university
• Expertise in fostering a diverse and inclusive university community, mentoring faculty from traditionally underrepresented groups, and/or guiding university efforts to promote an inclusive environment for a diverse student body
• Success in producing scholarship of teaching and learning

The Opportunity

In 2016, under the leadership of its new president, Dr. Richard Cosentino, Lander University approved a new mission statement and developed a bold strategic plan entitled Launch. This bold strategy set LU on an academic and administrative course that continues to result in student success and academic growth across the entire university. 

The 60 areas of study, including 16 signature academic programs in emerging and high demand fields, are attracting academically talented students from across the state and the nation. Over the past four years, freshman enrollment at Lander has increased more than 69 percent, with the 2019-20 freshman class totaling 944 students. Currently serving nearly 3,200 students, Lander is one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in South Carolina. Future projections trend upwards to 5,000 students in the next four years, which will bring new challenges associated with the University’s physical infrastructure.

Along with its tremendous growth, Lander continues to be recognized for its quality and innovative academic programs. For 2020, U.S. News & World Report placed the University at #5 among the Top Public Schools in the South, with a ranking of No. 29 in the publication’s Regional Colleges South category. It also named Lander as one of the South’s best colleges for veterans.

In 2019, Lander became the newest member of the University Center of Greenville (UCG), a higher education collaboration of seven highly ranked South Carolina universities and colleges. Located an hour from the University’s historic campus in Greenwood, UCG’s mission is to advance access and attainment of higher education degrees for the benefit of the citizens and economic community of greater Greenville, S.C., and the region at-large. 

Still in the process of finalizing its degree program offerings at UCG, Lander began offering courses in Fall 2020. UCG will enable Lander to expand its student capacity with undergraduate, online, and graduate programs. 

About Lander University

Established in 1872, Lander University is experiencing unprecedented growth. More than 91 percent of Lander’s students are South Carolina residents, with every county in the state represented. 

Lander has five academic colleges - Arts and Humanities, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, Education, and Science and Mathematics; a School of Nursing; and an Honors College. Students receive an education that integrates the liberal arts and sciences with professional studies; brings them into frequent contact with diverse ideas and culture; and guides them in developing communication skills and the ability to work well with others. 

A robust selection of pre-professional programs is offered in dentistry, law, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, and veterinary medicine. 

Committed to opening the world to students, the University offers a variety of study abroad opportunities in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. With traditional semester-, summer- and year abroad options, students are able to learn about other cultures firsthand while earning credit for a degree and gaining valuable international experience.

The University has more than 500 full- and part-time faculty and staff. The campus is a close-knit community of professionals who work together toward the same goal of providing the best educational experience for students. 

Student success is a priority at Lander. Academic support is available through peer tutoring, one-on-one mentoring, and study skills classes. Freshman transition programs assist students in navigating their acclimation to college life. 

Lander’s athletic teams are continually ranked in the top 25 in the country and are highly competitive in the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II. Lander student-athletes also score high in the classroom, as many are listed on the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll.

Greenwood, South Carolina 

Lander University is located in Greenwood, a beautiful, thriving city nestled in South Carolina’s Upstate region. Greenwood is home to a number of regional festivals, including the nationally acclaimed Festival of Flowers and the Food Network-featured Festival of Discovery. 

Exceptional dining, shopping, and cultural attractions, as well as plenty of recreational options can be found minutes from campus. The beautiful 11,000-acre Lake Greenwood provides a wide variety of water recreation and sports. 

Major cities, coastal beaches, and the mountains are easily accessible. Greenville/Spartanburg, ranked on numerous lists of top U.S. cities from People magazine to National Geographic Traveler, is only 55 miles away and has an international airport and an Amtrak station for additional connections.

Other major metropolitan areas that are easy drives include Charlotte, N.C., Columbia, S.C., and Atlanta, Ga.

Application and Nomination Process

To Apply - Applications must include:

1. A letter of introduction outlining the applicant’s background and qualifications for the position (This letter should specifically address the leadership attributes and professional competencies for this position.)
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Unofficial Transcripts for all degrees earned
4. Full contact information, including e-mail addresses, for five professional references,

Submit application materials to mthompson@lander.edu (preferably as PDFs).

Review of candidate material will begin on June 4, 2021.

The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Start date of the position is negotiable.

Lander University is an AA/EEO/Title IX employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or genetic information and complies with Title IX requirements. Lander University is a tobacco-free campus. Lander University will not provide sponsorship. All final candidates are subject to successfully completing background requirements. The duties and responsibilities of this position require that all applicants be subject to the customary background review, including a credit report.