You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Director, Program for the Advancement of Learning

About Curry College:

Founded in 1879, Curry College is a private, four-year, liberal arts-based institution in Milton Massachusetts. In addition to the main campus classes for adult learners are also offered at our campus at Cordage Park in historic Plymouth. Curry College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Curry College offers 22 undergraduate majors, over 60 minors and concentrations, as well as five graduate programs.

The Curry College mission is to educate and graduate students prepared to engage in successful careers and active citizenship with a global perspective. We are an inclusive community of diverse learners and educators, committed to continuing their legacy of developing effective communicators with reflective and critical thinking skills. We mentor and empower our students, building meaningful relationships that inspire them to achieve their ambitions.

Curry College provides rigorous and relevant academic programs to undergraduate and graduate students, and their rich blend of liberal arts and career-directed programs is enhanced by practical field experiences and co-curricular activities. Learning at Curry extends beyond the classroom and is embedded in all that they do.

Diversity and a culture of equity and inclusion among students, faculty and staff are crucial to the mission statement of Curry College.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sex identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law, including Title IX.

Job Description:

The Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) at Curry College has a 50+ year history of teaching students with average to above average intelligence who have Learning Disabilities (LD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and/or Executive Function Disorder (EF) through metacognitive, strength-based approaches. PAL seeks an experienced and dynamic academic leader and educator with expertise in postsecondary learning challenges; a strong research background with current knowledge of cognitive science and the implications for teaching and learning; and evidence of administrative competencies to serve as its Director.

Working in a cross-disciplinary environment, the Director communicates with both internal and external stakeholders. By building relationships with college administrators, faculty across all disciplines, and families, the Director educates these stakeholders and advocates for approximately 200 students in PAL. As an active participant in the field of learning differences, the Director connects with other organizations and advances professional development through research, publications, and presentations. The Director also supports the strengths of department members and fosters their contributions to the program and to the discipline.

The Director contributes to the entirety of the PAL student lifecycle from their recruitment as a prospective student to supportive persistence efforts once matriculated, and through alumni relations upon their graduation from the College. The Director shall also be a proven and impactful leader who will be charged with implementing the PAL Strategic Plan. To accomplish these goals, the Director closely collaborates with faculty as well as administrative colleagues including, but not limited to, those individuals in Academic Affairs, Accessibility Services, Enrollment Management, Finance, Institutional Advancement, Marketing & Communications, and Student Affairs, among others.

As a visionary and collaborative leader, the Director has the unique opportunity to guide the evolution of PAL as a premier center for teaching college-able students with learning challenges. The creative processes of developing relationships, integrating theory and practice, and generating research offer possibilities to expand the Program for Advancement of Learning as a leader in postsecondary education.

Specifically, the Director is responsible for:

  • Assuring the interaction of PAL with other academic and administrative offices of the College;
  • Conducting regular program meetings and designing committee responsibilities; and facilitating implementation of committee recommendations related to matters such as facilities, security, space, technology, student services, professional development, etc.;
  • Communicating with outside organizations and other learning disability programs to promote the visibility of PAL in the LD community;
  • Facilitate the recruitment and participating in the evaluation of PAL faculty and staff;
  • Leadership in conducting research to evaluate program effectiveness;
  • Leadership in the conceptual development of the program; facilitating the development of new internal and external projects consistent with the mission of PAL and the College;
  • Preparing annual budget requests and administering budget allocations in a cost-effective manner;
  • Supervising the activities of the program on- and off-campus;
  • Supervising the recruitment and acceptance of students into the program;
  • Supporting and encouraging faculty growth and high performance in teaching, research and other professional activities;
  • Overseeing summer programs and administrative tasks that occur both during and outside the work period of the traditional academic year, including coordinating and working with Residence Life, Human Resources, Students Affairs and other institutional offices, developing publications and overseeing mailings, overseeing registration and billing matters, working with faculty on curriculum development, overseeing scheduling, and meeting with Coordinators; and
  • Other duties as assigned.

In addition to supporting faculty, the PAL Director supports and provides leadership for and supervision of PAL staff including, but not limited to, the administrative assistants, Assistive Technology Coordinator, PAL Admissions Counselor, and PAL Admissions Assistant.

The Director has full-time faculty status and is a member of the faculty's collective bargaining unit with responsibility to carry a 21-credit load during the academic year. 18 credits of assigned time during the academic year supports completion of Director responsibilities. Per the collective bargaining agreement, the Director is compensated for 13 weeks of additional pay at the administrative rate to carry out duties related to the Director position during the summer, winter and spring breaks. The Director is an elected position serving a three-year renewable term. Academic rank is contingent upon experience. Review of applications will begin immediately with an intended start date no later than August 2023.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ph.D./Ed.D. in relevant discipline.
  • Minimum of five years of leadership experience in a higher education environment.
  • Significant experience supporting students who have learning challenges.
  • Scholarship in the field of LD, ADHD, EF, and/or related discipline.
  • Evidence of administrative competencies.

Additional Information:

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Curry College will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

At the College's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the College, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Employment in this position is contingent upon the successful completion of all required pre-employment background checks.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be directed to the College's Title IX Coordinator, Elizabeth Canning at elizabeth.canning@curry.edu, (617) 979-3516, or King Academic Administration Building, 55 Atherton St, or US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights ("OCR") - Boston Office, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109-3921, (617) 289-0111.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online at https://www.curry.edu/about-us/community-resources/employment/job-opportunities for consideration. Interested applicants must submit the following:

  • a curriculum vitae;
  • cover letter;
  • a statement of your teaching philosophy;
  • a statement of contributions to diversity (statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through teaching, research, professional activity and/or service);
  • a copy of your unofficial transcript (an official transcript will be required upon acceptance of an offer of employment); and
  • a list of three professional references, one of which must be a former or current supervisor, including complete contact information and professional titles.