Director of the Center for Mentoring, Learning, and Academic Innovation

Company Description:

SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 by Dr. Ernest Boyer as a distinctive statewide institution focused on innovative, nontraditional teaching and learning.

SUNY Empire is part of the State University of New York system and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. With headquarters in Saratoga Springs, New York, SUNY Empire primarily serves working adults pursuing associate, bachelor's and master's degrees online and onsite at locations in every region of the state and abroad.

The college's 51-year commitment to flexible, individualized learning is represented by faculty mentors who guide students throughout their academic studies, the ability for students to build individualized degree plans, the award of credit for learning gained from life and work experience, world-class academic and social student-support communities, and flexible course delivery methods that meet students' diverse learning preferences. The college boasts more than 92,000 successful alumni and partners with nearly 17,000 students each year who want to expand their personal and professional horizons.

SUNY Empire State College is committed to creating a multicultural, inclusive academic and work environment. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that a diverse faculty is critical to academic excellence and prepares students to live and work in an increasingly global world.

Job Description:

SUNY Empire State seeks a dedicated, creative, and experienced educator to serve as Director of the Center for Mentoring, Learning, and Academic Innovation. The successful candidate will provide leadership for the college's strategic goal of ensuring academic quality and student success through the use of evidence-based strategies. The Director will re-envision the Center into a national model for researching and disseminating evidence-based strategies for enhancing teaching, learning, advising, and mentoring in flexible delivery modalities (e.g., online, hybrid, and independent study) to diverse learners. The Director also oversees a small professional and administrative staff and will report to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.   

Duties associated with this position include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing a strategic professional development agenda for the college's instructional faculty, mentors, and academic advisors, including:
  • Developing and curating evidence-based and data-informed information and resources to support teaching and learning excellence across schools and programs.
  • Developing, overseeing, and continuously improving professional development and other programs and activities designed to improve teaching and learning across the college.
  • Collaborating with functional offices (e.g., instructional design, decision support, mentor services) to identify and promote best practices in teaching, advising, mentoring and the development of individualized degree programs, as appropriate.
  • Curating the college's teaching and mentoring portal and constituent resources.
• Overseeing the college's programming for New Mentor Orientation and Institute on Mentoring, Teaching, and Learning.
• Maintaining, strengthening, and supporting a community of faculty, mentors, advisors, and other professionals in pursuit of SUNY Empire's mission, strategic goals, and core values related to teaching, learning, and mentoring.
• Collaborating with the Office of Academic Affairs, deans, and other constituencies to identify systematic improvements to mentoring and teaching activities and processes across programs and schools.
• Providing consultations and support to individual faculty, mentors, advisors, and other professionals engaged in teaching, advising, and mentoring.
• Identifying opportunities to engage in or support research projects, including externally funded opportunities, that advance the effectiveness of teaching, mentoring, and learning.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in educational psychology, education, instructional design/technology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of college-level teaching experience.
• Principled expertise in theories of teaching, learning, curricular design, and assessment.
• Expertise in online learning and using educational technology to support student learning.
• Experience providing evidence-based professional development.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting innovation in teaching and learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in educational psychology, education, instructional design/technology, or a related field.
• Experience managing faculty development programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique needs of learners seeking flexible, affordable tertiary education.
• 3+ years of experience leading a diverse team of highly qualified professionals.
• Experience with outcomes assessment and continuous improvement processes.
• Experience developing and using learning analytics to improve learning and instruction.
• A track record of published research in evidence-based practices to support student success in tertiary learning environments.

Special Information:

• This position will be located at the college's administrative offices in Saratoga Springs, NY.
• Some travel may be required.
• VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

Additional Information:

Rank/Salary: Management Confidential / $80,000.  

Empire State College is an EOE employer.

We are pleased to offer our employees a generous compensation and benefits package. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff, as well as faculty-development opportunities that encourage pursuit of disciplinary and community-focused research, scholarship of teaching and learning, and leadership development. 

IF YOU NEED A DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE ADA COORDINATOR AT (518) 587-2100, ext. 2240. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE II CRIME AWARENESS AND SECURITY ACT, A COPY OF OUR CRIME STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY CALLING (518) 587-2100, ext. 2800. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON-LINE AT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY WEBSITE AT http://www.esc.edu/safety-security

Application Instructions:

Applications Due By: The review of Applications will begin immediately and will be accepted until position is filled.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit the following documents, which are required for consideration by clicking on the APPLY NOW button:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Name and contact information of three references

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