Mathematics Department Chair and Open Rank Professor
Job Summary:
The Department Chair and Open Rank Professor of Mathematics is responsible for the vision, implementation, and student outcomes of Mathematics classes within the Undergraduate College (UGC) at National Louis University (NLU). This position is also responsible for all aspects of the curriculum including revisions to existing coursework along with the development of new courses when applicable. Using a data-informed approach, the Chair collaborates on the delivery of PD for the faculty team they manage to ensure student success and preparation to become next-generation leaders.
In this role, the Chair provides leadership to a team of full-time and adjunct faculty teaching Mathematics courses in multiple modalities. This role is responsible for all aspects of hiring, staffing, evaluating, credentialing, and supporting faculty teaching in the department. The Chair supervises the full-time and adjunct faculty teaching Mathematics and provides ongoing performance management for faculty, as well as ongoing professional development to drive instructional excellence. Administrative responsibilities include ensuring ongoing communication between UGC administration and their department, faculty, and staff.
Excellence in teaching is the cornerstone for this position--this includes demonstrating best practices in teaching and learning with a teaching load potentially across modalities while also helping to develop excellence in the practice of others. The Chair serves as an exemplar for the model of teaching in the UGC: student-focused, culturally relevant, and equity-driven. This includes collaborating with the faculty team to ensure an excellent student experience. Central to this role is also supporting the resolution of student issues.
NLU UGC CORE COMPETENCIES
- Student-Focused: Make decisions based on what is best for students with the belief that when all students have access, resources and support, they are empowered to achieve success.
- Expect Excellence: Hold high expectations for our students and for the adults to serve them and hold ourselves accountable for achieving excellence.
- Personalized Support: Take a holistic approach to providing individualized support that encourages students to realize their full potential in college and beyond.
- Data-Driven, Collaborative Environment: Work together as a unified team, utilizing real-time data and technology to adapt to student needs.
- Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Remain agile and open to changes and new ideas-incorporating data as well as student, faculty and administration voice-to ensure that we are continuously learning, improving, and innovating in all aspects of the student experience.
Essential Responsibilities
- Demonstrate excellence in teaching: Teach designated load of courses per year; collaborate with faculty team to develop an effective student experience for students; facilitate courses by delivering engaging instruction in a blended or asynchronous classroom environment; empower students to develop competency by sharing a passion for the subject and skills being taught; utilize technology-based teaching platforms, including but not limited to an adaptive courseware engine to aid students in the development of competencies; and, communicate professionally and relate well to others.
- Hiring, Staffing, Evaluation, and Ongoing Professional Development: Collaborate with Human Resources to regularly create and maintain a hiring network in the subject area creating a diverse pool of hiring options for full-time and adjunct faculty positions, reviewing candidates, interview for FT faculty and make recommendations for hire to UGC leadership. Onboard new faculty and provide continuous support through classroom observations, constructive feedback, coaching, and individualized PD. Additionally, align and facilitate departmental professional development with University and College-level initiatives and expected outcomes. Assign and credential faculty to 100 - 400 level courses in content areas based upon qualifications, experience, and fit for the modality and student population. Conduct annual performance reviews and supervise full-time faculty, and meet with them on a regular basis to ensure progress on their goals and instructional excellence.
- Curricular oversight of Mathematics courses: Maintain current and active knowledge in subject matter expertise in the discipline areas. Conduct regular reviews of the curriculum, and make data-informed revisions of the 100 - 400 level courses offered, with a strong experiential and professional component including continuing maintenance of course syllabi, course data collection sheets, Learning Management System (LMS) course shells, etc. Lead subject matter experts in the maintenance, revisions, and new development of courses in blended and online formats designed to support student success and address the changing requirements in the field, compliance, and regulatory environments. Manage alignment of course outcomes to the University Level Outcomes. Collaborate with other departments (Computer Science, Secondary Education, Nursing, Developmental Education, etc.) to ensure content and skill alignment within the curriculum.
- Data-Driven Course Planning: Review program course data weekly, quarterly, and annually, in collaboration with UGC administration and content area faculty team, in order to inform ongoing course enhancements. This includes the follow-up on EAB reports, attendance, and grade entry to inform case management and student interventions.
- Support Resolution of Student Issues: General oversight and development of student support plans. Additionally, support UGC administration in the resolution of student issues in the content areas, such as academic appeals and re-admissions of returning students.
Qualifications
- A graduate degree in Mathematics or related field, and leadership experience is preferred. Ph.D. credentials preferred.
- Experience with digital tools for teaching, teaching in either online or blended/hybrid formats, and teaching to students of diverse backgrounds and abilities strongly preferred.
- Passionate about working with a highly diverse student body.
- Excellent facilitation and classroom management skills.
- Experience using a learning management system. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work with racially, culturally, and economically diverse colleagues and students.
- Ability to differentiate instruction and support based on student needs. Ability to consistently connect instruction to its real-world relevance, tying in concepts and theories in the classroom to students' current and future work experiences and highlighting immediate applicability.
- Technology proficient, including experience with digital tools for teaching, and teaching in either online or blended/hybrid formats.
- Experience using data for improvement purposes and to drive instruction.
- Strong project management skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated success in leading teams to achieve positive outcomes.
- Prepared, yet flexible.
Special Instructions
Please Include the following with your Application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Transcripts (Official or Unofficial)
- Optional Additional Attachments:
- Teaching Philosophy
- Sample Syllabus
- Additional Licenses/Certifications
- Course Evaluations
- Letters of Recommendation