University of Connecticut | Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities
Call for Learning Community Faculty Director, UConn-Storrs faculty may apply
The Learning Community Program is seeking applicants to fill the role of Faculty Director for the Human Rights & Action House Living/Learning Community. This directorship is proposed as a 10-month appointment. Learning Community (LC) Faculty Directors (FD) report to the Executive Director of the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities. Effective date of appointment is August of this year and is typically for a 3-year term.
Learning Communities are high-impact programs designed to engage and support first- and second-year undergraduate students by integrating coursework, co-curricular activities, and exploration of 21st-century global challenges. These communities provide transformative educational experiences that promote student success and well-being. Students in Living/LCs reside together on one or more floors in a Residence Hall, they have access to a Community Room, they take courses together and engage in activities designed to build community and a sense of belonging.
Human Rights & Action (HR&A) House is an interdisciplinary LC that emphasizes human rights education, community action, and active citizenship. Engaging students across disciplines, HR&A helps students develop knowledge of human rights issues at local, national, and global levels. The director will oversee courses while fostering student engagement in community action projects that contribute to meaningful change. HR&A House engages about 44 students who reside in Eddy Hall on campus.
Responsibilities. The primary responsibility of the director is to provide leadership and vision for the LC. Key duties:
· Design a transformative educational experience that helps students transition to college, navigate resources and opportunities, and fosters confidence and support-seeking behaviors; promote deeper understanding of the LC’s theme, build strong mentoring relationships, track student success, and provide targeted interventions as needed
· Lead the LC Team which provides layers of mentoring to community members. The team includes graduate student support and student Floor & FYE Mentors; collaborate with Residence Hall Director and RAs; facilitate bi-weekly LC Team meetings, mentor student leaders, organize monthly community events to engage all LC members;
· Develop curriculum; teach at least 2 course sections each semester; oversee the instruction of all sections; this role emphasizes faculty engagement with first-year students
- LC FYE (First Year Experience): UNIV 1810, 1-credit, offered in Fall & Spring
- LC Sophomore Seminar: UNIV 3820, 1-credit, offered in Fall & Spring
· Oversee the planning of co-curricular enrichment activities, projects, events, and actively participate in LC events
· Promote student involvement in UConn initiatives that align with the community’s theme
· Attend meetings/events held by First Year Programs & Learning Communities; participate in LC recruitment
· Seek funding and other support to enhance program initiatives
· Submit an annual report and assess the effectiveness of the program
Requirements: Applicants should be UConn tenured/tenure-track, full-time faculty (individuals in other types of faculty positions may be considered). The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to building community and enriching undergraduate education, be willing to meet with and advise students and engage with them out-of-class in social and programmatic activities. The role requires relevant interdisciplinary research or teaching interests, excellent communication skills, and the ability to strategically network. Enthusiasm for building and sustaining a high-quality program is essential. The director will collaborate closely with the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities to enhance undergraduate enrichment and advance UConn initiatives related to the theme of this LC.
Compensation: A 10-month appointment is compensated as an additional month of salary (paid throughout the year); other matters to be discussed. *Compensation variables may depend on an individual’s faculty position contract.
To Apply: Email Melissa.Foreman@uconn.edu including Director Search in subject line: letter of application, current CV, contact information for 3 references. Position will remain open until filled. Reach out to Melissa Foreman with questions.
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LCs as High Impact Practice: https://www.aacu.org/leap/hips/ ; UConn 2024-34 Strategic Plan: https://strategicplan.uconn.edu/
For more information, contact: Melissa Foreman at melissa.foreman@uconn.edu