Educational & Literacy Leadership - Associate Professor

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University's eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si' campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre.
www.sacredheart.edu

Position: Associate Professor of Educational Literacy and Leadership and Department Chair
Appointment Type: 9-Month or 12-month tenure track faculty position

Sacred Heart University seeks a dynamic and experienced academic leader to join its Department of Educational and Literacy Leadership as a tenure track Associate Professor and Department Chair. This tenure-track position is pivotal in advancing the department's mission to prepare future leaders to create respectful learning environments where student, faculty and staff members' individual needs and perspectives are honored both within and outside the classroom. The Department Chair will embrace their leadership, providing a collegial, respectful community for all, while fostering innovative educational leadership strategies and being responsive to an ever-changing educational landscape.

Primary Responsibilities:

Teaching and Scholarship

• Teach graduate and/or doctoral courses in educational literacy and leadership, focusing on preparing candidates to support the academic, social, and emotional needs of the broad spectrum of students they will serve.
• Maintain a scholarly research agenda in areas aligned with the department's mission.
• Mentor and advise graduate and doctoral students, including serving as a dissertation chair or committee member.

Department Leadership

• Serve as the department's representative to the university administration, advocating for the mission of the department and the Farrington College of Education and Human Development (FCEHD).
• Lead departmental governance, including scheduling, setting agendas, facilitating meetings, and overseeing day-to-day operations.
• Supervise and mentor faculty and staff, fostering a collegial and collaborative departmental culture.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and support continuous improvement efforts, including course evaluations, program assessments, and curriculum reviews.
• Collaborate with program directors, course coordinators, and adjunct faculty to enhance program quality and support faculty development.

Service and Community Engagement

• Represent the department in local, state, and national forums and organizations.
• Promote and support professional development opportunities for faculty and adjunct instructors.
• Participate in university and college committees and initiatives to support Sacred Heart University's mission and strategic goals.

Program Oversight and Development

• Oversee programmatic changes, new course proposals, and revisions to ensure alignment with state and national standards, including accreditation requirements.
• Facilitate departmental efforts to integrate feedback from faculty, adjuncts, and students to improve courses and programs.
• Lead the review of the department's bylaws and governance processes, ensuring alignment with the Faculty Handbook and college-wide policies.

Departmental Governance Responsibilities:
The Department Chair, as outlined in the bylaws, plays a key role in fostering transparent shared governance. Key responsibilities include:

• Convening and facilitating monthly departmental meetings with clear agendas and minutes.
• Ensuring timely communication and decision-making through consensus-building and collaboration with faculty.
• Establishing and overseeing ad-hoc committees as needed for search processes, promotion and tenure reviews, and other department functions.
• Supporting adjunct faculty by gathering feedback and providing professional development to enhance teaching quality and alignment with department goals.

Required Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in Educational Literacy, Educational Leadership, or a closely related field.
• At least six years of experience in higher education with demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Evidence of effective leadership in roles such as department chair, program director, or similar.
• A sustained research agenda with a focus on educational literacy, leadership, or a closely related area of study.
• Experience mentoring and advising graduate and doctoral students, including dissertation supervision.
• Commitment to Sacred Heart University's mission and values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with program accreditation, curriculum development, and strategic planning.
• A record of professional service and leadership in educational organizations.
• Familiarity with innovative teaching practices and the integration of technology in education.

Compensation:
This position includes a nine-month faculty appointment with additional compensation for summer responsibilities related to department leadership. If 9 months, an administrative stipend and professional salary portions will be specified at the time of appointment. Alternatively, a 12-month position may be considered at the time of appointment.

Application Process:
Applicants should submit the following materials:

A letter of interest highlighting qualifications and experience.

A current curriculum vitae.

A statement of teaching philosophy.

Contact information for three professional references.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by April 1, 2025.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.

Other details

• Job Family Faculty
• Job Function Faculty
• Pay Type Salary
• Required Education Doctorate

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