INTERNAL CALL FOR FACULTY DIRECTOR:
INNOVATION HOUSE LEARNING COMMUNITY
The Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities is seeking a current UConn tenured or tenure-track faculty member* to assume responsibilities as Faculty Director for Innovation House, a Living and Learning Community. This is a 10-month appointment and is proposed as half-time. The Faculty Director will report to the Executive Director of First Year Programs & Learning Communities. Effective date of appointment is targeted for August 2017 and is typically for a 3-year term.
Innovation House is an interdisciplinary learning community that engages first- and second-year undergraduate students from any major in coursework and interdisciplinary educational and community-building activities designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, including topics such as value creation, idea development, and design thinking. The academic courses and out-of-class activities will guide student exploration of key themes and serve as a bridge between the university classroom and the broader campus and local communities. Innovation House is situated in NextGen Hall and is equipped with a high-tech Innovation House Community Room, a LC Team Landing Zone, a LC Innovation Zone makerspace with equipment such as 3D printers, a laser cutter, a table top milling machine, and tools, as well as other community spaces.
The Faculty Director’s primary responsibility is to provide vision and leadership for the development and operation of the Learning Community. The Faculty Director will implement courses and programming related to the learning community. Responsibilities include:
Increase awareness and knowledge of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity in theory and in practice among all members of the learning community
Develop and lead an effective Learning Community Team (GA, Student Leaders, and Residence Hall staff), holding bi-weekly meetings, as well as attending meetings and events held by the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
Develop curriculum and teach at least two 1-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 Innovation House and Learning Community program events and activities as schedule allows
Seek funding to support program initiatives (for example, via grant proposals)
Establish the means and carry out assessment of the Learning Community’s effectiveness
The Faculty Director position is supported by a Graduate Assistant hired by FYP&LC. The GA will be responsible for planning and implementing Learning Community activities, engaging with students, and instructing (or co-instructing) LC course(s). The Faculty Director and a representative from FYP&LC will co-supervise the GA.
This faculty director search is internal to UConn. Requirements for the position 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, including a willingness to meet with and advise students; relevant interdisciplinary research and teaching interests; administrative skills; 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 Entrepreneur and Innovation Consortium, Residential Life and other offices, committees, and individuals concerned with undergraduate enrichment and strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives at UConn.
Compensation
One additional month salary (10-month appointment)
Release time/other matters negotiated between Vice Provost and candidate’s Dean or Department Head
*NOTE: If finalist is a non-tenured/tenure-track faculty member, compensation may depend on individual’s faculty position contract
Applications received by April 10, 2017 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 “Innovation 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