Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
The Human Rights & Action Learning Community is a new Living and Learning Community housed in the Alumni Quadrangle. It is seeking a current tenured or tenure-track faculty member to assume responsibilities as Faculty Director. The 10-month appointment is proposed as half-time. The Faculty Director will work with the Associate Director of Community Outreach and report to the Executive Director of First Year Programs & Learning Communities. Effective date of appointment is targeted for August 2015 and will be for a 3-year term.
The Human Rights Institute and The Community Outreach Office have partnered to create a new interdisciplinary learning community: Human Rights & Action Learning Community (HRALC). HRALC will engage first- and second-year students through interdisciplinary activities, courses and service experiences designed to increase knowledge of human rights at the local, national, and global levels. The academic courses will guide student exploration of key human rights themes and serve as a bridge between the university classroom and the broader community. Students will also engage in 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, is equipped with a high-tech classroom an office space, which is shared with the Leadership Learning Community, and shared community gathering space.
The Faculty Director’s primary responsibility, in collaboration with the Office of Community Outreach and the Human Rights Institute, is to provide vision and leadership for the development and operation of the Human Rights & Action Learning Community. The Faculty Director will work closely with the Associate Director for Community Outreach on the development and implementation of courses and programming related to the learning community. Responsibilities include:
- Increasing awareness and knowledge about human rights in theory and in practice among all members of the learning community
- Developing an effective Human Rights & Action team (GA, Student Leaders, Community Outreach and Residence Hall staff) and leading monthly meetings, as well as attending meetings with the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
- Developing curriculum for Human Rights & Action students and teaching two 1-credit courses each semester (typically, one for first-year, and one for second-year students)
- Oversee planning of enrichment activities to engage students throughout the academic year and attend community building, service events, and/or activities as schedule allows
- Seeking funding to support program initiatives (for example, via grant proposals)
- Establishing the means of assessing the Learning Community’s effectiveness
Community Outreach will work with First Year Programs & Learning Communities on hiring of a Graduate Assistant. The GA will be in charge planning and implementing Learning Community activities and of the service learning courses, service placements and instructing (or co-instructing) course(s) with the Associate Director for Community Outreach. Community Outreach will manage and supervise the graduate assistant and provide placement support for all service opportunities.
The search for the Director of the Human Rights & Action Learning Community 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; relevant interdisciplinary 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, committees and individuals concerned with undergraduate enrichment and strengthening human rights and community outreach 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 “Human Rights & Action 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