Oklahoma City University

Director

Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning

Oklahoma City University invites applications for the position of

Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

The University:

Founded in 1904, Oklahoma City University is an independent university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university is characterized by an intellectually challenging and vibrant student-centered learning community committed to preparing students to become effective leaders in service to others. With an enrollment of approximately 3600 students and a low faculty-student ratio of 1:14, classes are small and students have many opportunities for close associations with faculty and staff in the classroom and beyond. Faculty and students are partners in a learning process that focuses on creating effective communicators who respect diversity, possess critical thinking skills and cultural and aesthetic awareness, and are prepared to be responsible and ethical leaders in their communities.

Oklahoma City University is ranked by U.S. News in the top tier of master’s level universities in the 2007 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Additional information about the university may be found on the OCU web site.

The Center:

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is funded in part by a $4.6 million grant for the infusion of fine arts across the curriculum. Incorporated within this grant is more than $1.6 million for faculty development over the next four years, including funding for faculty summer institute stipends, faculty travel, course materials, faculty release time, a faculty development seminar room, laptop computers, and staff support.

Director’s Responsibilities:

The Director will be responsible for continuing to develop the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and creating a nationally recognized model for faculty development with an initial focus of infusing the fine arts across the curriculum. Additional responsibilities include organizing and offering faculty development workshops and other activities designed to improve student learning in a faculty-led environment. The Director of the Center will work closely with the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment on assessment of student learning and, with the Director of the Fine Arts Institute, on infusing the fine arts across the curriculum.

Qualifications:

A terminal degree is required. Additionally, applicants must have three to five years of experience and demonstrable accomplishments in the area of faculty development, significant teaching experience, and an ability to work with faculty across a wide range of disciplines. Background or experience in liberal arts or fine arts education is desirable.

Position Description:

Non-tenure track, with a multi-year, twelve-month contract. Some teaching and/or promotion of undergraduate research is expected. The Director of the Center will report directly to the Associate Provost. Applicants for the position must be eligible for appointment as associate professor or professor in one of the university’s academic departments. Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employee Benefits:

The position includes an excellent benefit package including: tuition remission for spouses and children pursuing a degree at Oklahoma City University and over 500 other participating private institutions, health insurance, long term disability, life insurance, family membership to the university’s wellness center, and TIAA-CREF retirement plan. A brief synopsis of the faculty benefit package may be viewed on the www.okcu.edu/facultysearch website.

To apply:

Make application for Working Title “Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning” at https://jobs.okcu.edu. Attach a letter of application or nomination, current curriculum vitae, transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at the initial stage), and names and contact information of four professional references. As the “Other Documents” attachment, the applicant should provide a description of accomplishments in faculty development, evidence of working collaboratively with administrative personnel (program heads, deans, etc.) and with faculty across academic disciplines, and a philosophy of faculty development. Attachable documents may be in either MicrosoftÔ Word or Adobe AcrobatÔ (pdf) format.

Deadline: Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Start Date: The target date for filling the position is January 2007 or earlier if possible.

Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Questions:

Questions about the position or search should be directed to Dr. Susan Barber, Associate Provost (sbarber@okcu.edu) or Melanie Shelley, Chair of the Search Committee (mailto:mshelley@okcu.edu).

Oklahoma City University, in compliance with federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or status as a veteran in any of its educational programs, activities, policies, practices or procedures.  This includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.  The university also expects vendors who provide employment opportunities related to the university to observe these policies and practices.

The Vice President for Student Affairs, located in Room 205 of the Administration Building, serves as the university’s affirmative action officer and coordinates the University’s compliance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 of the ADA and the ADEA.   Inquiries concerning application of and compliance with these regulations should be addressed to the coordinator or to the Office of Civil Rights.