University of Connecticut * Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
Internal Call for Faculty Director to lead BSOUL House: A Learning Community in support of Black Sisters Optimizing Unity and Leadership
The Learning Community Program is seeking a current UConn faculty member to assume responsibilities as Faculty Director for the BSOUL Learning Community. This is proposed as a 10-month appointment. The Faculty Director will report to the Executive Director of the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities. Effective date of appointment will be August 2023 and is typically for a 3-year term.
Learning Communities are a high impact teaching and learning practice shown to be beneficial for college students from many backgrounds. They encourage integration of learning and an opportunity to engage students with the grand challenges facing humanity in the 21 st century relevant to the theme of this community, starting in their first semester. BSOUL House is an interdisciplinary Learning Community designed to support the scholastic efforts of first- and second-year undergraduate female students from any major who identify as African American/Black through academic and social/emotional support, access to research opportunities, and professional development. The intent of this Learning Community is to increase the retention and persistence of students using educational and social experiences to enhance their academic success at UConn and beyond in graduate and professional school placement. Academic courses, projects, 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. BSOUL House students will live in the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower, where a BSOUL high-tech Community Room, LC Team Landing Zone, and event spaces will be accessible.
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, provide opportunities to encourage meaningful engagement and support-seeking starting in students’ first semester, and increase awareness and knowledge of topics associated with the theme of this community among all members
Build and lead an effective LC Leadership Team (partners, graduate assistants, student leaders, and residence hall director), hold bi-weekly Leadership Team meetings; and hold a monthly Community Meeting with all members of the community
Develop a 2-year curriculum, teach at least 2 one-credit courses each semester, and oversee instruction of all sections (with 19 or fewer students enrolled in each), recognizing our program priority that faculty engage with first-year students
Engage with students both in- and out-of-class; oversee planning and implementation of enrichment activities, projects, and events to engage students throughout the academic year; commit to attending community events
Ensure student awareness of and engagement in UConn initiatives and activities related to the theme of this community
Engage students in projects in the UConn Innovation Zone (IZ) makerspace, a space with tools students learn to use; engage students in making through team building, creativity, problem solving, and skill development activities and projects
Attend meetings and events held by the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
Seek funding and engagement to support program initiatives via grant proposals and alumni and industry partnerships
Establish the means and carry out assessment of the Learning Community’s effectiveness
This search is internal to UConn. Requirements: status as tenured/tenure-track full-time faculty member (individuals in other types of faculty positions may be considered); commitment to building community and personalizing and enriching undergraduate education, including a willingness/ability to meet with and advise students and regularly engage with them outside of class in social and experiential activities; relevant interdisciplinary research/teaching interests; excellent communication skills and ability to strategically network; and enthusiasm 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, Residential Life and other offices, committees, and individuals concerned with undergraduate enrichment and strengthening UConn initiatives related to the theme of this Learning Community.
Compensation: An additional month of salary (paid throughout the year as a 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 April 12, 2023 will be given full consideration. Email letter of application, current CV, and contact information for 3 references to Melissa.Foreman@uconn.edu , including “BSOUL House Faculty Director Search” in subject line.
Questions can be directed to David Ouimette or Melissa Foreman.
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Learning Communities as a High Impact Practice: https://www.aacu.org/leap/hips
For more information, contact: Melissa Foreman at Melissa.Foreman@uconn.edu