00001633 - Director of Experiential Learning

The Director of the Experiential Learning Department will oversee the development and implementation of initiatives that support experiential learning practices, specifically GRCC’s Honors Program, service learning, and study away.  The Director provides oversight and supervision of the implementation of the annual Department Plan and daily operations through the coordination, design, and implementation of processes and procedures.  The Director is a member of the Instructional Support Team and serves as the institutional expert on academic service learning, faculty-community partnership development, honors program administration, and international and domestic credit-bearing travel experiences.

Requisition ID:
Position Number: 00001633
Employee Group:  Professional, Management and Administration
Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks
Compensation:
Benefits: Full-time Part-time Limited Benefits
Reports to:
Posting Opens:
Posting Closes: 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee the daily operations of the Department of Experiential Learning

• Lead the implementation of the annual Department Plan, including communicating goals, objectives, and milestones to the Dean of Instructional Support and college/community stakeholders

• Interview, hire, train, supervise, evaluate and professionally develop, as appropriate, the Experiential Learning Support Professional, Faculty Scholars/Coordinators, Graduate Assistants, and/or student works/Honors Ambassadors

• Manage the Department’s separate budget accounts and serve as Budget Control Officer

• Oversee multiple revenue and expense accounts and invoice processing functions related to activities sponsored by the Department of Experiential Learning in collaboration with the Cashier’s and Student Records areas

• Prepare report structures, formats, and timelines for program and internal reporting needs

• Conduct ongoing review of policies and internal processes as well as plan, develop, and recommend new policies and amendments to ensure overall quality and adherence to best practices in order to achieve departmental goals and contribute to College initiatives

• Manage purchasing and contracts in compliance with GRCC policies and code of ethics

• Supervise on and off-site Department activities by overseeing policy adherence, coordinating physical arrangements, and assisting in problem resolution and advisory support for all Department programs, as appropriate

• Maintain thorough knowledge of college policies and regulations as they relate to Department programs and activities, purchasing, building operations, and safety

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective risk management practices in compliance with College policy and engage in all aspects of risk management as it pertains to Department programs and activities.  This includes the responsibility of being the primary point of contact (24/7) during times of study away travel

• Engage all necessary aspects of risk management between the College and community partners, as it pertains to the Department’s programs and activities

• Maintain compliance as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) personnel, an official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities and required by law to complete annual training from the GRCC Police Department

• Implement and manage the Honors Program Recruitment and Communications Plan, including but not limited to the following activities: CRM, high school visits, Open Houses, New Student Orientations, application process, admissions support, communicating to/meeting with potential Honors students, developing/maintaining marketing materials, and developing/maintaining research queries

• Manage Honors-related transfer agreements and/or transfer-specific initiatives, in collaboration with other members of the Instructional Support Team and college faculty/staff members, as appropriate

• Manage key engagement and retention initiatives, such as the student Honors Ambassadors and student Honors Teams

• Manage the Honors Program curriculum and co-curricular programming, in collaboration with the Honors Program Faculty Coordinator, including: supporting faculty in the development, assessment, and revision of Honors courses/projects and facilitating the recruitment and professional development of Honors faculty

• Oversee Study Away curriculum including: supporting faculty in the development, assessment, and revision of study away courses

• Coordinate Honors and Study Away class scheduling and space requests with the appropriate Deans’ Office(s) and Department Heads/Program Directors

• Coordinate Honors Program Advising with the Deans’ Office and appropriate faculty/staff in the Student Success and Retention area

• Lead co-curricular program learning outcomes assessment for all three areas of the Experiential Learning Department

• Collaborate with faculty to provide information and technical assistance in order to implement, recruit, evaluate, and assess honors, service learning, and study away student and faculty experiences

• Lead monthly Experiential Learning Department meetings, including meetings with the Experiential Learning Support Professional and Faculty Scholars/Coordinators

• Collaborate with academic leadership, academic departments, faculty, staff, and students to develop and implement service learning into course curricula, as appropriate

• Lead and manage the faculty-facing Study Away Proposal Process

• Lead and manage the student-facing Study Away Intake Form and process

• Review criminal background checks and meet with students applying for study away trips to provide ongoing support for students who are interested and plan to participate in study away trips

• Coordinate and lead Study Away Information Sessions and Pre-Departure Orientations

• Plan and conduct programming to market study away experiences to faculty and students

• Organize and evaluate Study Away contracts, in collaboration with the General Counsel and Financial Services areas

• Develop, implement, and maintain study away-related travel policies, as appropriate

• Maintain awareness/knowledge of best practices in experiential learning through maintaining professional and institutional memberships to a variety of organizations such as: FAFSA, Forum on Education Abroad, NCHC, and MEHA

• Serve as a liaison between community organizations and faculty in the support of developing service learning experiences

• Maintain the Experiential Learning Department website with pertinent information regarding program processes and procedures

• Monitor and track students by using relevant software systems (PeopleSoft, Data Warehouse and/or Blackboard) to document student academic and/or personal progress of Experiential Learning program participants 

• Devise effective methods of keeping stakeholders informed of the Department’s programs and activities by composing, editing, and assembling various documents, meeting agendas/materials, activity calendars, newsletters, and/or reports for distribution to relevant offices

• Lead the Honors Program Leadership and Curriculum Teams, Service Learning Task Team, and Study Away Review Team

• Serve on college-wide committees, teams and community projects as appropriate and requested

• Maintain program and activity records and oversee electronic and hard copy recordkeeping systems to ensure that general and confidential filing is maintained in a system allowing for ready retrieval of program records

• Coordinate with the Dean of Instructional Support’s office, the GRCC Foundation, and the Financial Aid Office to promote and administer Honors Program scholarships

• Participate in strategy and planning sessions in Instructional Support

• Coordinate with the Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Director to provide training and support to faculty, as appropriate, to further Experiential Learning Department initiatives

• Communicate progress on Experiential Learning Department initiatives and related activities outlined above to the Dean of Instructional Support

• This role is a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs will be trained and responsible for reporting Clery Reportable Crimes to Campus Police as required by the Clery Act.

• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving customers and performing the essential functions of this position

• Performs other related duties as assigned

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Educational Credentials

• Master’s Degree required

Work Experience

• A minimum of three years of college/university administrative experience

• Knowledge and experience managing experiential learning-based practices (honors, service learning, study away, internships, etc.)

• Experience in traveling abroad, community partner development, research, advising and/or teaching, preferably in a college/university

• Previous supervisory experience required

• Previous experience developing and implementing student activities, events, and leadership programs with an emphasis on student learning outcomes

• Experience with data reporting systems and data tracking and preparing reports required.

• Explicit understanding of the pedagogy of Academic Service Learning. Ability to seamlessly integrate Academic Service Learning, course objectives, and student interests

•  Understanding of the mission of community colleges

• Understanding of confidentiality as related to FERPA guidelines

Skills

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Physical Demands

• Ability to lift a maximum of 30 pounds

• Ability to sit for prolong periods of time

Mental Demands

• Demonstrated skill in major event planning and implementation, exceptional communication and presentation skills, strong organization skills,  and a high level of initiative

• Qualified candidates will have experience in building coalitions with diverse faculty, community, and student groups

• General enthusiasm, positive attitude, a self-started with the ability to cultivate the same in others

• Ability to work independently and to serve as staff representative for weekend and evening programs

• Proven ability to work successfully with diverse customers and be customer-oriented

• Proficiency with electronic campus-wide and student information/learning management systems, word processing, and spreadsheet and database applications as well as internet applications/web-based programs and email

• Previous recruitment and marketing campaign development and implementation experience 

• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

• Ability to organize work, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines

Working Conditions

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed

• Ability to handle frequent interruptions