Chair of School for International Training First Year Experience

Chair of School for International Training First Year Experience 

Office of the Dean of Faculty

Reports to: Dean of Faculty 

Location: Brattleboro, VT / Remote Work Possible 

World Learning seeks a Chair to provide academic leadership of the School for International Training’s First year portfolio consisting of several in-person first-year semesters located in SIT program centers across the world. The position reports to the Dean of Faculty as part of their senior team. The chair ensures effective and consistent implementation of the academic vision of the Dean of Faculty while directly supporting faculty and staff globally and in Vermont as they run the programs; and liaising and working with SIT’s partner schools to ensure cohesive and appropriate delivery.

Responsibilities 

Support and provide academic leadership for the SIT First Year programs in: 

• Program development of SIT First Year semester/full-year programs 
• Curriculum and program review o Teaching effectiveness and quality performance reviews 
• Training new academic directors and youth leaders, designing program orientation, and organizing the semester calendar 
• Onboarding and mentoring new faculty/adjunct faculty/staff with SIT First Year in coordination with the Office of the Dean of Faculty Coordination and collaboration with sending schools 
• Faculty engagement 
• Implementation of SIT’s academic project on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion o SIT First Year academic policy development, implementation, and review 
• Other strategic priorities or special projects as assigned 
• Cross-coordination with Student Health Safety and Well-being to ensure effective relationship between the academic, the co-curriculum, and socio-emotional supports o Cross-coordination with Global Operations
• Providing thought leadership on global first year experiences

Provide support for the operation of SIT First Year:

• Launch new SIT First Year programs
• Develop future SIT First Year programs in collaboration with the Dean of Faculty and with sending schools as appropriate 
• Develop resources and training workshops to create a dynamic and innovative approach to experiential learning for FY students 
• Ensure appropriate resourcing for SIT First Year 
• Organize and chair regular SIT First Year meetings and retreats 
• Support the resolution of student appeals/concerns 
• Ensure consistency and organization of student orientations o Support recruitment activities to ensure healthy enrollment (in liaison with marketing and university relations) 
• Provide effective external and internal communications on behalf of the SIT First Year and the Dean of Faculty 
• Liaise with the Dean of Assessment and Learning Support in preparing institutional self-study reports and other assessment and accreditation activities 
• Identifies professional development opportunities for FY staff and program leaders o Provides related duties as assigned  

Requirements 

• Terminal degree required 
• University teaching experience with first year college students and familiarity with US higher education system 
• Three to five-year experience with US General Education programs in a teaching or leadership capacity 
• Teaching and publications that would merit academic rank 
• Experience in International Education 
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting access, diversity, equity, and inclusivity in higher education 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks 
• Ability to travel on short notice 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Preferred 

• Basic knowledge of student development theory 
• Familiarity with online teaching and learning 
• Communication skills in at least one other language 
• Experience participating in institutional accreditation and assessment 
• Grant writing and management experience