Associate Director of Engaged Transformative Learning

The Virginia Commonwealth University Division for Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL) seeks an experienced colleague to oversee, provide strategy for, and implement programs and initiatives focused on infusing community-based teaching and learning practices across the VCU transformative learning curriculum, including through undergraduate research, global learning (including study abroad), Vertically Integrated Projects, entrepreneurship and social innovation experiences, and work-based learning. The Associate Director for Engaged Transformative Learning will inherit a strong Service-Learning program and have a unique opportunity to both refresh and advance VCU’s commitment to solving social and health inequities in partnership with communities .

The incumbent will serve as a key member of the Associate Vice Provost for REAL’s leadership team with partnership responsibilities to the Office of Community Engagement. In addition, they will work closely with other members of the REAL division and Office of Provost to raise the visibility of REAL as a central hub and resource dedicated to helping students maximize their VCU education through making connections among their experiences on campus and in the community to their future lives and careers.

This is a full-time, 12-month university and academic professional position.

Key responsibilities

· 30% Strategic planning:

o Lead campus initiatives focused on embedding civic engagement outcomes into project-based learning contexts, with a specific focus on Vertically Integrated Projects

o Align Service Learning program and curriculum policies with REAL

· 30% Program management:

o Develop and/or maintain a portfolio of service-learning courses that adhere to VCU REAL classification principles, and that foster civic-mindedness and career readiness competencies through sound pedagogical practices

· 40% Capacity building:

o Consult with faculty and staff on community engaged learning pedagogy, including designing appropriate learning goals and instructional activities, facilitating student preparation and reflection, and evaluating student learning and community impact

o Collaborate with faculty/instructional staff to develop and deliver community engaged curricula, including facilitating workshops and trainings

o Partner with the Office of Community Engagement to build and sustain partnerships with nonprofit and community-based organizations, government agencies, and social impact-oriented companies, identifying reciprocal opportunities for students to learn and contribute to community partners’ work.

Minimum hiring standards

· Master’s degree in an academic discipline

· Two years minimum administrative experience within service-learning and/or community outreach programs

· Understanding and commitment to the values of liberal education and community engaged pedagogy

· Experience with strategic planning or change management

· Demonstrated competence in the use of database and spreadsheet programs

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· Ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels within the university and external constituents

· Ability to work independently as well as in teams

· Facility with word processing and spreadsheet software

· Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred hiring standards

· Current VCU employee

· Terminal degree in an academic discipline

· Higher education teaching experience, particularly community-engaged or service-learning courses

· Experience with community engaged research

· Staff or student supervision experience

· Experience with social media platforms

· Experience with collaborative research/scholarly projects and program evaluation

Please apply prior to the application deadline of June 9, 2023.

All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

Full-time, benefitted position
Salary range: $65,000-$78,000
Eligible for a Flexible/Hybrid Telework Arrangement
University job code: Program Manager GA

Position Details:
Department: Academic Affairs
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt

ORP Eligible: Yes