Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
INTERNAL CALL FOR FACULTY DIRECTOR: GLOBAL HOUSE LEARNING COMMUNITY
Global House is a successful Living and Learning Community which was launched in Fall 2007 on the Storrs campus. The Office of First Year Programs and Learning Communities is seeking a current tenured or tenure-track faculty member to assume responsibilities as Director. The 10-month appointment is proposed as half-time. Effective date of appointment is targeted for August 2015 and will be for a 3-year term.
UConn’s Academic Vision includes the growth of the Living and Learning Community program as an initiative contributing to sustaining excellence in undergraduate education.1 Learning Communities are a proven pedagogy that can provide intentionality and integration amongst students’ curricular, co-curricular and residential experiences. They become a foundation for a creative and holistic approach to education. They help first-year students in their transition to college and encourage all students to become engaged on campus; they enable students to have regular one-on-one or small group interaction with faculty, advisors, staff, and peer mentors; they emphasize undergraduate research and experiential learning; and they develop interdisciplinary habits of mind that encourage students to become life-long learners.
Global House was developed as an outgrowth of the Provost’s Developing Global Citizens initiative.2 Global House is a residential learning community housing a mix of about 129 domestic and international students who have an interest in global engagement, international issues and languages.
The Faculty Director’s primary responsibility is to provide vision and leadership for the continued development and operation of Global House. The director will work on the development and implementation of courses and programming related to the learning community. Responsibilities include:
- Increasing global awareness and knowledge among all members of the learning community, including: 1) promoting language study; 2) promoting intercultural competencies and sensitivities; 3) promoting study abroad; and 4) providing opportunities for interaction between domestic and international students
- Developing an effective Global House team (GA, Student Leaders, Residence Hall staff) and leading monthly meetings, as well as attending meetings with the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
- Developing curriculum for Global House students and teaching at least two 1-credit courses each semester
- Overseeing planning of enrichment activities to engage students throughout the academic year (Global Forums, cultural and social events) and attend events as schedule allows
- Providing a welcoming and supportive “home” for international students and returning study abroad students
- Seeking funding to support program initiatives (for example, via grant proposals)
- Establishing the means of assessing the Learning Community’s effectiveness
The Faculty Director will work with First Year Programs & Learning Communities on hiring of a Graduate Assistant. The GA will be in charge of planning and implementing Learning Community activities and may support instruction of Global House courses (teaching or co-teaching).
The search for the Director of Global House is internal to UConn. Requirements for the position include: status as a tenured or tenure-track full-time faculty member; commitment to undergraduate education, enrichment and advising; international research and teaching interests; administrative skills; an ability to market and recruit; excellent communication skills, including the ability to strategically network; and the enthusiasm needed to build 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, Residential Life, and other offices, individuals and committees concerned with undergraduate enrichment and strengthening global initiatives at UConn.
Compensation
- One additional month salary (10-month appointment)
- Release time/other matters negotiated between Vice Provost and your Dean or Department Head
Applications received by January 31, 2015 will be given first consideration, but the position will remain open until filled. Email a letter of application, current CV, and contact information for three personal references to: Kristen.Glines@uconn.edu, First Year Programs & Learning Communities, including “Global House Faculty Director Search” in the subject line.
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1 http://academicvision.uconn.edu/sustaining-excellence-in-undergraduate-education/living-learning-communities;
http://academicvision.uconn.edu/sustaining-excellence-in-undergraduate-education
2 See Task Force Report and Provost’s response: www.provost.uconn.edu
For more information, contact: Melissa Foreman at melissa.foreman@uconn.edu