Director, Whitaker Center for STEM Education, Associate/Full Professor

published Oct 26, 2022 1:50pm

Job Summary
The Director of the Whitaker Center for STEM Education has overall responsibility for a well-established multidisciplinary Center with potential to expand. The Whitaker Center serves as the nexus of STEM education expertise and leadership for Southwest Florida. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Director coordinates and provides leadership for affiliated faculty from all of FGCU's five academic Colleges and FGCU's Water School, seeks and secures external funding for programs, oversees outreach programs to K-12 schools throughout FGCU's service area, and collaborates with the Lucas Center for Faculty Development to provide support for FGCU's STEM faculty. In consultation with a faculty Leadership Team, the Director maintains and develops programming to support FGCU's STEM faculty and students, community partners, and K-12 teachers and students consistent with the Center's mission and goals.

The director supervises an office with 1.5 FTE administrative support and student workers. The Director may teach a course in his/her disciplinary area of expertise from time to time, as desires and circumstances permit.

Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changing professional needs; be committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed to effective use of technology including distance learning; produce peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College, University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off-campus sites within our region.

Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive working and learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of the campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview.

At FGCU, we collectively stand against any individual or group that practices any form of racism, discrimination, intolerance, hate expressions, or disrespect. We are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, religious beliefs, abilities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, family statuses, and military backgrounds. FGCU strives to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our University stronger. The University community recognizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive institution and holds these ideals as paramount for the current and future success of the institution.

We seek colleagues who promote and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position as we believe that our University will grow and move forward through a commitment of equality for all.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

- Actively participate in university leadership as it relates to STEM Education.
- Actively participate in STEM Education efforts with community and K-12 partners.
- Develop or maintain university/community partnerships in STEM Education.
- Secure or develop funding for STEM Education programming with STEM faculty.
- Provide assessment and evaluation expertise to STEM initiatives.
- Support FGCU STEM student research.
- Assist with the development of curriculum.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications

- Earned Doctorate from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent. Current rank at Associate Professor level or higher in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline or a STEM Education discipline. Prior administrative experience. Experience in STEM education at the university level; knowledge and experience in STEM education reform. Successful grant writing and interdisciplinary teaching experience.
- Must meet the University and College criteria for the appointment to the level of Associate Professor or Professor.

Preferred Qualifications

- Multiple years' experience at the Associate Professor rank or higher. Experience with budgeting, management and supervising support staff in a university setting. Extensive experience with and knowledge of recent trends and best practices in K-20 STEM education; expertise in assessment and evaluation of STEM education practices; demonstrated success working with interdisciplinary teams for program development and evaluation, as well as professional development of STEM faculty; demonstrated ability to provide leadership in K-12 STEM outreach and building community alliances; strong working network with other professionals in STEM education reform; strong track record of securing external funding through gifts and competitive grant programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and colleges to meet Whitaker Center goals.
- Knowledge of evidence-based best practices in K-20 STEM education.
- Ability to manage support staff, students, multiple budgets, and grant funding.
- Skill in fundraising and donor relations.
- Ability to mentor STEM faculty in teaching, scholarship, and service.
- Experience with and commitment to the use of instructional technology in both online and face-to-face classroom environments.
- Must value continued scholarship and service to the school and university.
- Ability to contribute effectively and collegially to a positive, dynamic, and inclusive learning environment for a diverse student population.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Appointment will be made on a 12-month multi-year appointment basis available August 2023

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida's Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU.

Under Florida's Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

- Unofficial Transcripts
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Statement of Research
- Five (5) Professional References

The position is listed as "open until filled", however applications received by December 31, 2022, will receive priority consideration.

Salary commensurate with education and experience

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/3571233

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