Director of the Office of Community-Engaged Learning

Vassar College

Director of the Office of Community-Engaged Learning

Department: Dean of the Faculty Office
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:
Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 01/03/2022
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS167P
Pay Rate:

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is deeply committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, diversity and inclusiveness. Vassar seeks to create a pluralistic community for all staff, faculty and students. Vassar College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer, and applications from women, individuals with disabilities and members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.  Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus. Note: Vassar College has a universal vaccination policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, for all employees except for those exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Dean of Faculty, the Director of the Office of Community-Engaged Learning is responsible for all aspects of the community-engaged learning program. This program provides Vassar students with academic credit-bearing internships and other types of experiential learning opportunities in Poughkeepsie, the mid-Hudson region, New York City, and elsewhere. Students may select from opportunities in a variety of agencies, organizations, and offices, accompanied by a substantial academic component that is mentored by members of the Vassar faculty. The Director oversees the office which includes an assistant director and an administrative assistant, provides resources and support to faculty as they develop intensive courses, works with community agencies to identify community needs and develop partnerships, advises students, and collaborates with other campus offices. Position responsibilities:

• Develop experiential educational opportunities with community partners, in response to partners' needs, curricular needs, learning goals of individual faculty members and departments/programs, and students' academic interests and goals.
• Foster new and enriched community-engaged learning opportunities in collaboration with faculty as they develop intensives. Co-administer (beginning in Summer or Fall 2022), with the Dean of the Faculty, the Community Engaged Intensives in the Humanities grant.
• Create new community engagement opportunities for students and faculty; create bibliographical resources for use by faculty; organize site visits for faculty; provide resources on experiential learning pedagogy.
• Work with faculty members to support the academic quality and workplace integrity of student community learning opportunities.
• Counsel students on opportunities that will serve their educational goals and support student learning by facilitating student cohort meetings and symposia.
• Convene and consult with the Community-Engaged Learning sub-committee of the college's Committee on Curricular Policies.
• Oversee administrative functioning of the office and supervise the Assistant Director and the Administrative Assistant.
• Manage all aspects of the summer Community Fellows program; oversee the Helen Miringoff award, the Wendy Rae Breslau award, and the Frances Aaron Hess ‘53 award.
• Work collaboratively with other campus offices and initiatives - including the Career Development Office, the Office for Fellowships and Pre-Health Advising, the Office of International Programs, Vassar Education Collaboration (VEC), and the Engaged Pluralism Initiative - to support experiential educational opportunities and student development in relation to the changing Vassar curriculum and to the many community-engaged efforts and offices at the College.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of experience in community-engaged learning or an adjacent field, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Strong vision of the potential role of experiential education in the liberal arts curriculum.
• Experience working with faculty members and advising students to connect classroom learning and community engagement.
• Experience facilitating connections between campus and community partners.
• Knowledge of the Hudson Valley and community agencies; ability to identify new community partners and curate opportunities for students and faculty.
• Strong administrative skills to oversee daily operations of the office.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to manage an office that bridges staff, students, faculty, administrators, and community partners.

Education/ Certification:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) required; Doctoral degree desired.

Travel requirements

• As needed

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820. Review of applications will begin on January 18, 2022.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/2347.

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