Chairperson, Department of Teaching and Learning
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Full-time
Education
Posted on March 30, 2024
Chairperson, Department of Teaching and Learning
School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University
VCU Mission
At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It is a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.
About the Position
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Education is seeking an innovative and experienced leader for the Department of Teaching and Learning with a July 1, 2024 start date (the start date is negotiable). This is a 12-month, tenured faculty position.
At VCU, we believe different perspectives and expertise enhance possibilities and solutions. This philosophy drives our recruitment process, so we welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, who will contribute to an already diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.
The Department of Teaching and Learning blends top-tier, accredited programs in teacher education at the Baccalaureate and Master's levels, including elementary education and secondary education (English, STEM, and social studies). Our nationally-recognized faculty provide guidance and support, allowing students to fully explore their areas of interest. We provide the tools that help students examine, refine, and challenge the current methods and scholarship, and to use evidence-based research to develop their own.
Department faculty work in varied disciplines: Literacy and Language Education, English Education, STEM Education, Social Studies Education, and TESOL and conduct interdisciplinary work across these disciplines. Our goal is to prepare our graduates to be leaders, ready to make a difference in people's lives. We work together with faculty, students, university colleagues and community partners to generate knowledge, investigate effective strategies, disseminate evidence-based practices, advocate for those we serve and promote exemplary programs.
Department faculty members are associated with the Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Curriculum, Culture, and Change (CCC). The department offers Masters of Education programs in Curriculum & Instruction and Reading; Masters of Teaching with several concentrations, multiple B.S.Ed. programs, graduate certificates, and undergraduate minors. The department offers both traditional and residency-based teacher preparation options. Faculty value interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies, equity and social justice, and the preparation of teachers for success in urban and high-needs environments. Department faculty are involved in research activities and community-engaged partnerships designed to improve the lives of students and teachers in the Richmond-area and throughout national and international communities. We offer an opportunity for a senior researcher/scholar to grow the reputation of the department and foster high impact research and scholarship.
As a senior leader, the chairperson reports directly to the Dean of the School of Education and is responsible for all aspects of department leadership and management. This includes strategic visioning and data-informed planning, faculty and staff development and evaluation, budget and human resource management, course scheduling, and policy implementation. Applicants with research, teaching and leadership work experience with an emphasis on urban education and demonstrated experiences in advancing access, equity, inclusive excellence, and success for students, faculty, and staff from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations in academia are encouraged to apply.
Required qualifications:
●An earned doctorate in education or related field closely related to teaching and learning.
●Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education at the departmental level or higher, such as program coordination.
●A distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and professional service commensurate with tenure at the rank of full professor at a research-intensive university.
●A well-developed scholarly/research portfolio appropriate to complement existing expertise in the department.
●A track record of securing external funding and understanding its impact on department budget and faculty effort.
●Experience developing innovative, high-quality undergraduate, graduate and/or doctoral programs.
●Demonstrated experience in advancing policy, practice, and goals related to equity, diversity, inclusiveness, and anti-racism at the department, school/college, and university level.
●Demonstrated experience in fostering and advancing inclusive excellence including access and success for underrepresented and historically marginalized students, faculty, and staff.
●Record of effective leadership and capacity to promote a strong collegial culture and climate.
●Capacity for fiscal and human resource management.
●Ability to develop and support collaborative relationships across the university and community, including school systems, state agencies, research institutes, and policy networks.
Preferred qualifications:
●Prior relevant administrative experience as a department chair, co-chair, center director, or equivalent.
●Evidence of faculty development experience.
●Evidence of collaborations with research centers, institutes and/or with community agencies/organizations.
●Evidence of service and leadership in national or international professional associations.
●Experience in developing innovative and entrepreneurial programs, including online course offerings.
●Experience with Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) budget models and implementation.
About VCU
Virginia Commonwealth University VCU is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is recognized as a community-engaged institution by the Carnegie Foundation. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 226 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Recently voted as the "Best River Town in America" by Outside magazine, Richmond is a vibrant, prosperous metropolitan area of approximately one million people within a short driving distance from Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
About Richmond
Established as the commonwealth's capital in 1780, Richmond, Virginia, is a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture and real-world opportunities. Its rich history is much in evidence in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVA -- as locals call the region -- to life. With the historic James River and 550 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene and affordable suburbs, this small city with a low cost of living punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz.
Richmond's location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginia's many wineries (Travel + Leisure magazine named Virginia one of its five wine regions in the world to visit now). Richmond's location places VCU within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. It is within a day's drive of 50 percent of the nation's population and is in the path of growth in the mid-Atlantic metropolitan corridor. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to 10 Fortune 1000 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. TIME magazine's No. 2 city in the United States for attracting millennial talent, Richmond is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the country.
Beyond Richmond, CNBC has named Virginia as the number one state in the country to do business. It has accomplished this by bringing in over $18.5 billion in capital investment and over 50,000 new jobs; investing in education; expanding access to quality healthcare for all; making sure everyone has access to opportunity; and more. Suffice to say, Virginia is full of growth and opportunity.
Application Process:
To be considered for this position, application materials must be submitted online through VCU's Talent@VCU Recruiting portal and must include all of the following documents:
1. A cover letter that: (1) addresses the applicant's qualifications based on position announcement and consideration of the goals and mission of Virginia Commonwealth University and the School of Education; and (2) describes the applicant's leadership philosophy with specific attention to faculty development in a R1 research university.
2. Statement addressing the candidates experience, expertise, and focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
3. A curriculum vitae.
4. Names, email addresses, and phone numbers for three professional references
Application materials must be uploaded as one PDF document (when applying through the Talent@VCU Recruitment application process) for review by the Search Committee. Questions may be directed to Dr. Elizabeth Edmondson (ewedmondson@vcu.edu) or Dr. Kevin Sutherland (kssuther@vcu.edu), Search Committee Co-Chairs. Candidates must agree to current and prior employers being contacted if a finalist for the position. Review of applications will begin March 15th and will continue until the position is filled.
For additional information and to apply, please follow the link below:
(https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=vcu)
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action University providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran's status, political affiliation or disability.
Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100%
Tenure: Tenure Track
Rank: Professor
Salary: $166,000 to $175,000
