Director of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement

About Clark University:

Founded in 1887, Clark was one of the first all-graduate institutions in the United States. Today the University is a highly-ranked, student-centered institution educating approximately 2,350 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate students to be imaginative and contributing citizens of the world and to advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding through rigorous scholarship and creative effort. This commitment to scholarship and inquiry reflects the University's commitment to "challenge convention and change our world" and to address issues of critical importance to society. It is also reflected by Clark's many national and international distinctions, including recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, innovation, community engagement and impact, as a top green campus, and for having a distinguished geography and international development program. Clark has also been included in the groundbreaking Colleges that Change Lives guide since it was first published in 1996.

Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a dynamic, diverse city "on the rise." The second largest city in New England, Worcester is home to 11 institutions of higher learning and is increasingly recognized for its growing healthcare and biotechnology communities, its thriving cultural scene, and as a vibrant food hub.

Job Description:

Develop a strategic vision for ensuring high-quality, experiential and community engaged learning, research, and partnership development informed by The Clark Experience (15%)

• Create a vision, mission, and aligned theory of change for Clark's engagement and impact connected to experiential and community engaged learning.
• Systematically analyze the quality and satisfaction of experiential learning experiences for all stakeholders including students, faculty and community partners.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation system to better understand and evaluate Clark's varied community-engagement and experiential learning.

Coordinate and convene stakeholders to ensure accessible, coordinated, and high-quality experiential learning and community engagement (25%)

• Serve as a strategic convener for community and campus partners interested or involved in community engaged and experiential learning and research, in partnership with the Division of Student Success and Government and Community Affairs offices.
• Develop cross-university collaborative infrastructure that facilitates greater community engagement in ways that will also align with the standards within the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement
  • Collaborate with the Study Abroad/Study Away Office to ensure students participate in high-quality learning experiences and can demonstrate that learning upon their return.
  • Work with the Dean of Research, Advancement, and the Vice President of Government and Community Affairs to increase financial support for faculty and student scholarship in community engagement.
  • Work with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Division of Student Success to establish programs to support students and faculty to engage with the community in ways that support racial and social justice rather than simply extracting knowledge from the community.
  • Work collaboratively with the Division of Student Success to bolster community engagement opportunities within the student experience.
  • Collaborate with the office of Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research to set and monitor data metrics to track experiential learning and community engaged learning.
  • Liaise with the Director of Special Academic Opportunities and the Career Connections to ensure that students participating in community-based research or internships are prepared for and engage in reflection on their community-engaged learning experiences.
• Host ongoing meetings with campus and community partners to build mutually beneficial partnerships.

Support faculty and academic departments to implement and assess experiential learning and community engagement (20%)

• Build and sustain relationships with faculty to support experiential learning curricular integration. Working with the Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning, develop resources and materials to support faculty development and disseminate best practices in community-engaged and experiential learning.
• Collaborate with the Career Connections Center to develop and oversee undergraduate credit-bearing experiential learning and community-engaged academic experiences, including the Academic Internship Program (AIP).
• Provide strategic director for the assessment of experiential learning and community engagement through students' e-Portfolios.

Program Management & Administration (20%)

• Oversee grants and build meaningful donor opportunities related to experiential learning at every level (seed funding, collaborative projects, and community-based funding support)
• Manage a budget that ensures equitable access to funds, membership in Campus Compact, transportation and experiences for programs and students.
• Support Carnegie Classification applications and renewals.
• Oversee the development and facilitation of Alternative Spring Break and summer programming connected to community engagement.
• Teach/support an undergraduate course focused on community engagement and service learning no more than 1 time per year.
• Regularly produce reports to document experiential learning and community engaged at the university and across units.
• Supervise staff, Americorps volunteer, and student work studies.

Increase Clark's visibility in local, national and international conversations about experiential learning and community engagement (15%)

• Promote community engagement activities and ensure visibility of student experiences though a variety of internal and external marketing opportunities.
• Participate in panels and other events with Clark's admissions team.
• Serve as campus liaison to relevant organizations, including Campus Compact.
• Promote student and faculty scholarship connected to community engaged learning and research.

Serve as a member of the Academic Affairs Team (5%)

• Apprise the Academic Affairs of trends, strategic issues, and concerns; participates in professional activities and organizations that encourage continuous professional growth and development.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Master's degree required, with a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in community engagement, supporting curriculum development with faculty partners, advising, assessment, operations, program development, budget oversight, and/or administration at an institution of higher education; doctoral degree preferred
• Demonstrated experience building collaborative infrastructure across departments, with knowledge of models such as Collective Impact
• Demonstrated experience writing successful grant proposals and/or managing grant funded initiatives
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• Knowledge of the field of community engagement (e.g., involvement in Carnegie classification for community engagement application) and co-curricular experiential learning
• Demonstrated experience working with a diverse population and creating inclusive spaces
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain high-level institutional relations in the community
• Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to manage confidential information and sensitive situations
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal and intercultural communication skills
• Ability to organize, analyze, prioritize, and problem-solve within a fast-paced office environment with frequent interruptions
• Demonstrated experience with assessing student e-portfolios, community engagement tracking software, and student information systems
• Available to work some nights and weekends; some travel required

Additional Information:

As of June 1, 2023 Clark University no longer requires employees or students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, Clark urges all community members to follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination, which recommend that everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines including booster doses. This is important for your own personal health as well as the health of our community.

At Clark University, we are dedicated to building a workplace that celebrates diversity and fosters inclusion. We believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in our hiring practices, employee development programs, and campus culture. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here .

To review the Clark University Police Department Annual Security and Fire Safety Report visit here .

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your credentials online. Create a Clark University Careers Account by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below. You will be able to upload the following documents, which are required for consideration:

• Resume
• Cover letter

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

Already have a Clark University Careers Account? Login to your account to add documents or update your account.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

A successful background check is required upon acceptance.