Director of Literacy Center

Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia

Director of Literacy Center

Associate Professor/Professor

(Full-time tenure-track position)

College:                     College of Education

Department:              Literacy Center

Job ID #:                    228635

Position #:                 40022315

Starting Date:            August 1, 2021 or until the position is filled

Job Information: The College of Education (COE) at Augusta University (AU) invites applications for a full-time, 12 month, tenure-track appointment for an Associate/Full Professor in Literacy who will serve in an administrative role as the Director of the Augusta University Literacy Center beginning in August 2021 (or as appropriate). 

The Augusta University Literacy Center was founded in 1990 and provides free tutoring for children and adults in the community.  Due to a generous gift, our Literacy Center has an exciting and unprecedented opportunity to expand our services to support the surrounding Harrisburg and Laney Walker communities. As part of Augusta's HUB for Community Innovation, the Literacy Center is part of a capital project of over $10 million dollars being funded by Augusta National, IBM, Bank of America, and AT&T. The new Literacy Center will            open in April, 2022.  This is an excellent opportunity for the College of Education to make a real impact on our local communities. 

The Director will report directly to the Dean of the COE and will have the following responsibilities:

• Develop the vision, mission, and strategic plan for the Center
• Evaluate, select, and plan the tutoring curriculum
• Manage the tutoring programs including marketing programs, coordinating training for tutors, and tracking student outcomes
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Literacy Center
• Meet regularly as a partner with local school districts to ensure that the Center’s programming meets the needs of the communities’ students
• Collaborate with the other three non-profits in the new building to maximize effectiveness
• Seek external funding to safeguard long term sustainability of the Literacy Center
• Monitor, support, and evaluate the progress of the Center and generate research about the Center’s effectiveness in order to utilize it  to strengthen the Center   
• Responsible for leading and communicating directly with national and state opinion audiences and media, formulating strategic alliances with non-profit organizations and potential donors, initiating key partnerships with local and state educational leaders, and maintaining enthusiasm for enhancing literacy in Georgia
• Manage the budget as well as coordinate the hiring and supervision of a full-time Administrative Assistant, Graduate Assistants, and Federal Work Study Students
• Partner with the College of Education Field Experience Coordinator to create opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain educational experiences through tutoring at the Literacy Center.
• Collaborate with the Chairs of the Department of Advanced Studies and Innovation and the Department of Teaching and Leading to ensure that undergraduate and graduate literacy courses are taught on site at the Center each semester (fall, spring, and summer).
• Teach at least one undergraduate or graduate literacy course on site at the Center during the academic year.

This new leadership position is important not only to the College of Education but also to Augusta University. The Director of the AU Literacy Center will be the face of Augusta University in the local community.

We invite you to come grow with us at a unique institution where we are committed to increasing inclusive excellence, promoting equity, and cultivating a welcoming environment for all students, faculty, and staff. We know that our employees are our greatest contributors to the legacy of achievement and promise that is Augusta University.

College of Education: The College of Education has three academic departments whose programs are accredited by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities (SACS). 

University: Founded 1828, Augusta University became Georgia's fourth comprehensive research university in 2013. Its current total student enrollment is approximately 9,565, which includes an undergraduate student body of nearly 5,675 students, consisting of approximately 12% first-generation students, 45% Pell-eligible students, 48% students of color, and a sizeable number of international students from more than 50 countries. A primary goal of Augusta University is to foster the intellectual growth of its students, and cultivate faculty who are excellent in teaching, active in scholarship, and generous in service. Augusta University is at the forefront of groundbreaking research focused on improving and enriching the human experience.

Augusta University is located in beautiful historic Augusta.  Georgia’s second-oldest and second-largest city, Augusta is a vibrant, progressive, and diverse community built on a solid foundation of local pride. Affectionately known as the South’s Garden City, Augusta extends Southern hospitality and eclectic offerings in culture, food, entertainment, sports, and outdoor amenities, which allow for year-round adventures. These offerings, coupled with its low cost of living, make Augusta the city of choice for more than half of a million people in its metropolitan area. Most notably, Augusta is world- renowned as home to the prestigious Masters Tournament, the birthplace of Soul Icon James Brown, and home of the US Army’s Fort Gordon.

Minimum Requirements: Terminal degree in literacy or a related field, K-12 school administration including significant administrative and budget experience, a strong track record working with multiple stakeholders, and extensive knowledge of a balanced literacy framework. Relevant experience to include ten years of leadership experience in literacy, higher education, foundations, or related nonprofit organizations. Established record of work with literacy and school and community partners.  Outstanding communication skills which include written, oral, listening, and public speaking ability. Strong leadership, collaboration, and supervisory skills. Technology competency. Experience with P-12 partnerships.

Preferred Requirements:  K-12 school administration including significant administrative and budget experience, a strong track record working with multiple stakeholders, and extensive knowledge of a balanced literacy framework. Ten years of leadership experience in literacy, higher education, foundations, or related nonprofit organizations. Established record of work with literacy and school and community partners.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with training, education, and experience.

Conditions of Employment: All candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review. For specific positions, the final candidate may be subject to a (pre-employment) physical, drug screen, and/or credit check. The final candidate will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.

How To Apply: To be considered an applicant for this position you must apply online at http://www.augusta.edu/hr/jobs/faculty. For information on the position, contact Dr. Judi Wilson, Dean, College of Education at jwilso24@augusta.edu or 706-737-1499.