The University of Alaska Anchorage seeks applications for a Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Learning (CCEL). The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is an innovative and dynamic institution with national distinction in community engagement, holding a Carnegie classification for both Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships. UAA is Alaska’s largest regional university with an enrollment of 20,000 students studying in over 190 degree programs.
The Center for Community Engagement and Learning (CCEL)
The Center is the primary entity promoting and supporting service-learning and community-engaged research at UAA. The CCEL enables the university to effectively carry out its community engagement mission to connect academic programs with community need, and use scholarship and action for the mutual benefit of the University and the State, its communities, and its diverse peoples. It mentors faculty as they develop courses and projects incorporating engagement between academia and the community, and evaluates the community engagement activities at UAA. The Center also provides the development and support for UAA’s Certificate in Civic Engagement, The Center for Community Engagement & Learning was established by the University of Alaska Board of Regents in 2000. It resides within the UAA Office of Academic Affairs and is accountable to the Senior Vice Provost.
CCEL Director Job Description
The Director will lead the Center in the development and expansion of its mission, provide administrative oversight of its activities, programs, and staff, and will direct activities associated with the evaluation of community engagement. Responsibilities include working with the Senior Vice Provost, faculty, and the advisory board to identify, develop, and support service-learning and community-engaged research courses, projects, and curricula; supervising personnel; managing fiscal and other resources; and working with colleagues within the university and public and private sector partners. The successful candidate will devote time to teaching, research, and service in their discipline.
Applicants must have experience with service-learning courses and/or community-engaged research in a higher education environment, as well as demonstrated experience in (1) forging and maintaining community connections, (2) program development, management and assessment, (3) successful proposal writing for external funding, and (4) faculty development, student mentoring, interdisciplinary teaching, program and curriculum development. Competitive candidates will demonstrate successful partnerships with diverse community agencies, and possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Assist faculty through consultation, mentoring, and facilitation to integrate community-engaged learning and research into existing courses and the development of new courses;
- Develop campus awareness of principles and best practices of effective and ethical university-community partnerships and the scholarship of engagement;
- Manage, coordinate, and monitor a network of Center relationships and partnerships;
- Oversee, plan, and serve as primary representative for UAA’s community-engaged learning and research at local, national, and international levels;
- Develop, write, and administer grants from public and private sources to support the advancement of community-university partnerships and community-engaged learning;
- Allocate resources to faculty and students involved in community-engaged learning;
- Increase campus-wide community-engaged learning and research activities;
- Assess the impact of community-engaged activities on students, faculty, and community partners;
- Teach and develop curriculum within the undergraduate Certificate for Civic Engagement.
This is a ten-month appointment. Option for fixed term or tenure track faculty appointment commensurate with candidate’s qualifications.
A master’s degree is required, with terminal degree or PhD preferred (discipline open). UAA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Candidates with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Information about UAA may be found at www.uaa.alaska.edu. Information about the CCEL may be found at www.uaa.alaska.edu/engage. To apply, go to http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/humanresources/employment/index.cfm