Faculty Chair, General Studies

Full time Administrative/Faculty – Academic and Student Affairs

Location—Nashville, Tennessee

Time type—Full time

Posted on –July 1, 2024

Position Title –Faculty Chair, General Studies Program, Assistant or Associate Professor in Life Sciences or Mathematics

About the Opportunity

The mission of American Baptist College (ABC), a historically Black College with a liberal arts emphasis, is to educate, graduate, and prepare diverse students for Christian leadership, service, and social justice. The Academic and Student Affairs division of American Baptist College invites applications for a non-tenure track full time faculty (open rank) as the Faculty Chair for General Studies. This is a full-time position beginning August 15, 2024. Faculty rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Teaching Philosophy of ABC

The teaching philosophy at American Baptist College aims to help students develop a rigorous spirit of curiosity that connects theory to praxis, promotes community and inclusion, and cultivates habits of life-long learning through continuous self-reflection and self-evaluation. To accomplish these aims we will teach our students to grow ethically and spiritually by expanding their vision to include the principles of social justice, equity, advocacy, and leadership (SEAL) to build their analytical and interpretative skills in both faith communities and the broader society.

Responsibilities

As Faculty Chair of the General Studies Program, you play a significant role in the college’s mission of developing students to be transforming agents in broader society. Moreover, you lead the way in helping the College meet its academic mission of preparing graduates of our associate’s program to enter the workforce in diverse fields through acquiring writing and interpersonal skills, using digital technologies such as GIS, demonstrating digital literacy, and grasping general concepts for critical thinking and problem solving. The General Studies program serves as both the college’s Associate Arts degree and as the General Education requirements undergirding all Bachelor’s degree programs. Every student matriculating at American Baptist College must experience the solid foundation that is provided by the General Studies program. The role of Faculty Chair in General Studies combines academic expertise in a STEM field with teaching, advising, and administrative responsibilities to provide visionary leadership, foster collaboration, and drive innovation within General Studies in connection to the larger curriculum.

The General Studies Chair reports to the Associate Academic Dean. Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

·         Provide vision and leadership for developing and accomplishing departmental goals in alignment with the College’s mission and teaching philosophy (see above).

·         Ensure that the General Studies program is to the level of intellectual rigor commensurate with professional and accreditation standards for undergraduate education (see ABHE Standard 11).

·         Guide the development and liberal arts expansion of the General Studies program with particular attention to data analytics and/or digital and technological literacies.

·         Work in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Academics to develop curricular goals, objectives, and outcomes and to refine student learning outcomes for General Studies.

·         Communicate needs, opportunities, and risks regarding General Studies, including student progress, to the Associate Dean of Academics.

·         Serve on the presidentially appointed Faculty and Curriculum Committee, led by the Associate Dean of Academics.

·         Recruit General Studies adjunct faculty as needed to obtain program objectives and its students’ success (see ABHE Standard 9a); ensure faculty proficiency with effective pedagogical tools.

·         Contribute to the ABC learning community through continued professional scholarly activity.

·         Teach 1-2 courses per year in subject area expertise, either Life Sciences and/or Mathematics with focus on data analytics, technological/digital literacies, and/or GIS tools.

·         Advise General Studies students during their first 60 hours of coursework.

Qualifications

·         Ph.D. in a STEM field, preferably Life Sciences or Mathematics.

·         Minimum of three years relevant academic administration experience at the departmental or academic program level.

·         Demonstrated knowledge of program assessment, organizational management, and/or accreditation program procedures.

·         Record of excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship, with expertise in current trends and practices in STEM fields, including data analytics and digital/technological literacies.

·         Experience with incorporating technical applications in classroom teaching and student research (e.g., GIS tools, Excel, etc.) and ability to guide students and faculty in this work.

Skills and Attributes

·         Commitment to social justice, equity, advocacy, and leadership development (SEAL).

·         Ability to synthesize materials and ideas for good decision-making and the exercise of critical judgment.

·         Knowledge of and adherence to FERPA laws and regulations.

·         Possession of a collaborative spirit and collegial engagement with faculty and staff.

·         Experience teaching and advising students in an HBCU setting or in another environment with students from non-dominant cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds.

·         Experience teaching General Education in a Liberal Arts environment.

·         Pedagogical commitment to an educational process that is transparent, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages critical engagement with difference.

·         Possesses an understanding of the importance and role of HBCUs in U.S. higher education.

Position Type: Academic

For initial application, submit the following documents to Dr. Shan Overton, Associate Dean of Academics:

·         Curriculum Vitae

·         Cover Letter

Priority will be given to applications submitted by July 15, 2024 for an August 15, 2024 start date.

Additional Information

American Baptist College is a Historically Black College with a liberal arts emphasis. Its mission is to educate, graduate, and prepare diverse students for Christian leadership, service, and social justice in the world. The College gives preference in hiring qualified candidates who demonstrate cultural competence for, commitment to, and connection with the mission it advances and the communities and congregations it serves. Moreover, the College seeks candidates immersed in the best and emerging practices in their field for undergraduate education. As an equal opportunity employer, the College values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.