Scholarly Teaching Director and Cross Endowed Chair for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Position Summary:

The person in this position will promote the teacher-scholar ideal, serve as a lead expert resource in teaching and learning in higher education, and contribute to a national dialogue about teaching, learning, and assessment. The Director will lead the Scholarly Teaching Unit, housed in the Center for Teaching Learning and Technology, and will be responsible for leading professional development programming, services, and support for helping instructors develop expertise in evidence-based teaching practices. The Director will also serve as the Cross Endowed Chair for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and is expected to facilitate collaborative initiatives and form partnerships with faculty and academic and support units to advance the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Additionally, the Director will enhance and support the implementation of institution-wide initiatives related to inclusive teaching and learning excellence, faculty mentoring, and student success. This position will report to the Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Learning and will be a twelve-month tenurable appointment responsible for teaching a course at least 1-2 times per academic year.

Specifically, the person in this position will:

Support Instructors in Evidence-based, Innovative, and Equitable Teaching Practices

• Lead the design and implementation of professional development programming with unit staff and faculty leaders (e.g., workshops, course-designs, institutes, seminars, conferences, learning communities, etc.) including a variety of options along a continuum that emphasizes the need for instructors to learn about, apply, and study high impact approaches to course design and delivery for effective inclusive and equitable teaching practices and student success.
• Provide graduate students with access to specialized pedagogical training to expand and extend their teaching knowledge and skills and to prepare them for work in the academy following their degree attainment.
• Lead the assessment of program effectiveness from attendance, satisfaction, and outcomes. Analyze data trends and potential for growth and change, based on findings.
• Create and disseminate resources in support of evidence-informed teaching and learning (e.g., podcast, YouTube, web resources, journal)

Advance the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) through some of the following activities (list is not exhaustive)

• Mentor and consult in SoTL to encourage systematic study and/or reflection on teaching and/or learning.
• Assist faculty in publishing, presenting, and disseminating SoTL project results.
• Provide opportunities to showcase SoTL projects regionally, nationally, and internationally (i.e., conferences, web presence, campus events).
• Maintain currency in the field and contribute to national conversations through scholarship and/or engagement with relevant professional associations.

Collaborate, Provide Leadership, and Supervision

• Work with AVP for Faculty Development, Diversity and Learning to co-lead a University-wide professional development team aimed at building the capacity within Colleges and Departments/Schools to design, implement, and assess a yearly faculty/staff PD plan aligned to Illinois State University's Framework for Inclusive Teaching Excellence.
• Collaborate with other units on campus to study high impact approaches to course design and delivery to inform data-driven practices for student learning and course instructors at the institutional level.
• Collaborate with the Online Education Unit director to design professional development for online learning based on evidence-based teaching practices and study the impact of online learning and programs.
• Serve as Chair of the University Teaching Committee.
• Collaborate with the University Research Committee.
• Provide supervision for a team of unit staff, including a team of professional developers, a graphic designer, and other support personnel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. A terminal degree from an accredited U.S. university or equivalent international institution.
2. Significant history of academic achievement, including teaching, scholarship, and service sufficient to be appointed at the level of Associate Professor at Illinois State University.
3. A significant track record of multi-faceted experience in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, such as the following: professional presentations and publications; grant writing; involvement in assessment activities; editing a pedagogical journal.
4. Institutional recognition for outstanding teaching.
5. Demonstrated commitment and experience to mentoring faculty.
6. Experience working in conjunction with other faculty development groups, other campus units, and external partners to support instructors teaching practices.
7. Critical understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education. In particular, experience working on the development and/or implementation of inclusive and equitable teaching practices in all teaching modalities.
8. Exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated success with project management.

Desired Qualifications

1. Academic achievement, including in teaching, scholarship, and service, commensurate with being tenured at the rank of Professor.
2. Demonstrated understanding of current best practices related to faculty development and support, and trends in higher education.
3. Clearly articulated knowledge of and ability to develop and implement current professional approaches to the creation implementation, assessment, and evaluation of professional development programming for faculty, staff, and GTAs across various career stages and appointment types.
4. Ability to develop cross-campus relationships that allow for connecting faculty members to appropriate resources that will support their overall success in their careers.
5. Experience directing and supervising staff.

Application Process:

Initial application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

All application materials must be submitted online. Application materials submitted via fax, email, or mail will not be accepted.

Please prepare in advance separate documents representing a cover letter, reference list (specifically the names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references), your statement(s) of leadership, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) commitments, and philosophy of teaching, and resume/C.V. to attach to this application.

Initial review of applications will begin [day after posting closes] and continue until the position is filled.  Applications must be submitted no later than [posting close date].  To assure full consideration, an application along with a resume/curriculum vita, reference list (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references), and cover letter must be submitted online at http://jobsearch.illinoisstate.edu/cw/en-us/job/512530?lApplicationSubSourceID= .

Illinois State University:

Illinois State University, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. Illinois State is a co-educational, residential university committed to fostering a small-college atmosphere with large-university opportunities and promoting the highest academic standards in teaching, scholarship, and community service. Serving more than 20,000 students, our six colleges offer 178 undergraduate majors, 77 minors, 102 master’s programs, 18 doctoral degrees, and 42 certificate options. We have repeatedly been named a “Great Place to Work” by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Illinois State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our mission.

Bloomington-Normal Community:

Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a population of approximately 132,000 and conveniently located approximately two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis. The community is home to GROWMARK, Illinois Farm Bureau, State Farm Insurance International Headquarters, Rivian, Illinois Wesleyan University, Lincoln College, and Heartland Community College. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and educational attainment, parks and recreation, health care, job growth, economic opportunity, and low crime. Please visit the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.visitbn.org and Bloomington-Normal Advantage as www.bnadvantage.com for more information. 

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer