Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
INTERNAL CALL FOR FACULTY DIRECTOR
Human Rights & Action House Learning Community
The Learning Community Program is seeking a current UConn faculty member to assume responsibilities as Faculty Director for Human Rights & Action House, a Living and Learning Community. This is proposed as a 10-month appointment. The Faculty Director will report to the Executive Director of First Year Programs & Learning Communities. Effective date of appointment is targeted for August 2018 and is typically for a 3-year term.
Human Rights & Action (HR&A) House is an interdisciplinary learning community that engages first- and second-year undergraduate students from any major in coursework and interdisciplinary educational, community-building, and community action activities designed to support students’ successful transition to college and to increase knowledge of human rights at the local, national, and global levels. The director will develop this program in partnership with FYP&LC, the Human Rights Institute, and Community Outreach. With a graduate assistant, the director teaches and oversees a series of 1-credit academic courses that help students explore key human rights themes and bridge the university classroom and broader community. In partnership with Community Outreach, students engage in for-credit service experiences aimed to provide practical forums to foster greater understanding of human rights principles, community issues, and the skills necessary for active citizenship. Human Rights & Action, located in Eddy Hall, and has a high-tech equipped Community Room and LC Team Landing Zone in the Ryan Building in the Alumni Quadrangle.
The Faculty Director’s primary responsibility is to provide vision and leadership for the operation of the Learning Community. Responsibilities include:
- Develop an educational program that will help students transition to college successfully, learn to navigate university resources/opportunities to encourage meaningful engagement and support-seeking starting in first semester, and increase awareness and knowledge of human rights in theory and in practice among all members
- Develop and lead an effective Learning Community Leadership Team (Partners, GA, Student Leaders, and Residence Hall Director), hold bi-weekly team meetings. The team will hold monthly meeting with all members of the community.
- Develop curriculum and teach at least 2 one-credit courses each semester, recognizing our priority that faculty engage with first-year students
- Oversee planning and implementation of enrichment activities and events to engage students throughout the academic year and attend Human Rights & Action House and Learning Community program events as schedule allows
- Partner with the Learning Community Innovation Zone (LCIZ) makerspace, a space with tools students learn how to use (laser cutter, 3D printer, milling machine, textile station, tabletop saw, etc.), to engage students in creative and innovative projects
- Attend meetings and events held by the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
- Seek funding to support program initiatives (for example, via grant proposals)
- Establish the means and carry out assessment of the Learning Community’s effectiveness
This search is internal to UConn. Requirements include: status as a tenured or tenure-track full-time faculty member (individuals in other types of faculty positions may be considered); commitment to personalizing and enriching the undergraduate education experience and building community, including a willingness to meet with and advise students; relevant interdisciplinary research and teaching interests; excellent communication skills including the ability to strategically network; and the enthusiasm needed to build and sustain a high-quality program. The Faculty Director will work closely with the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities (primarily), the Institute for Student Success, the Human Rights Institute, Community Outreach, Residential Life and other offices, committees, and individuals concerned with undergraduate enrichment and strengthening initiatives related to the theme of this LC at UConn.
Compensation: One additional month salary (10-month appointment); other matters to be discussed
*NOTE: If finalist is a non-tenured/tenure-track faculty member, compensation may depend on individual’s faculty position contract
Applications received by May 18, 2018 will be given full consideration. Email a letter of application, current CV, and contact information for three personal references to Melissa.Foreman@uconn.edu, First Year Programs & Learning Communities, including “HR&A House Faculty Director Search” in the subject line.
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Learning Communities in UConn’s Academic Vision:
http://academicvision.uconn.edu/sustaining-excellence-in-undergraduate-education/living-learning-communities;
http://academicvision.uconn.edu/sustaining-excellence-in-undergraduate-education
For more information, contact: Melissa Foreman at melissa.foreman@uconn.edu