Jobs
Announcement
Associate Dean and Director of the University Writing Program
Interim Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education (VPDUE) Ken Baerenklau invites nominations and applications for the position of Associate Dean and Director of the University Writing Program. This is an internal campus search for a 100% appointment reporting directly to the VPDUE.
The University Writing Program (UWP) is dedicated to helping all UCR undergraduate students improve their abilities to be thoughtful and effective writers, speakers, and readers. In courses that enroll approximately 13,000 students per year, the program is responsible for offering instruction that fulfills UCR’s Senate-mandated writing requirements. In addition to the three-quarter composition sequence, the program includes entry-level placement and instruction, English Language Learner (ELL) instruction, Writing Across the Curriculum, and outreach to local K-12 teachers through its National Writing Project site (the Inland Area Writing Project). UWP instructors use program-wide grading standards and rubrics, reflect upon best practices, and participate in pedagogical innovation. UWP TA training activities, both in composition and writing across the curriculum, are extensive.
With the assistance of the UWP staff, associate directors, and other program leaders, the UWP Director is responsible for coordinating and supporting the work of approximately sixty full-time Lecturers, sixty TAs from a variety of department, and a small core of Senate faculty (Professors of Teaching). Specific responsibilities include:
- Supervising the placement of students into writing courses, course demand projections, budgetary planning, and the scheduling, staffing, and delivery of the writing curriculum.
- Working with UWP Senate members, as well as others in the program, to strengthen and improve the writing program's structure and practices, which include such elements as mandatory placement, rubric-driven grading standards, increasingly rigorous expectations in the course sequence, the assignment of challenging readings, and the use of various forms of outcomes assessment including timed writings.
- Collaborating with the Writing Program Committee and with other leaders in the Division of Undergraduate Education to achieve campus-wide outcome goals and strengthen the overall quality of undergraduate education at UCR.
Critical attributes include:
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching and interest in developing and implementing innovative evidence-based pedagogies that improve student outcomes and reduce achievement gaps.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively, collaborate, and build consensus with faculty, staff, and students, and to apply principles of shared governance.
- Strong interpersonal, administrative, and financial aptitudes needed to lead a large and complex academic program.
- An understanding of the importance of, and preferably demonstrated success in, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a leadership team.
Qualified candidates are members of UCR’s Academic Senate who have achieved the rank of Associate/Full Professor or Associate/Full Professor of Teaching as of July 2022, who are actively-engaged members of the faculty, and who have relevant experience. Qualified candidates must have a tenured ladder rank appointment in the University Writing Program, or in a closely affiliated writing-intensive department such as English, Philosophy, Creative Writing, or History. Expertise in a field such as writing pedagogy, the history of rhetoric and composition, oratory, oral communication, the history of ideas, the study of literature, style and syntax, the education of English Language Learners, or writing across the curriculum, is preferred. Experience with TA training and familiarity with UC policies governing personnel practices (including union contracts) also is desirable.
Confidential review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Please direct questions to Mona Nelson in Undergraduate Education (mona.nelson@ucr.edu; 951-827-7750). To be ensured full consideration, please apply by submitting an electronic letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and a statement of contributions to diversity (more information provided below) to mona.nelson@ucr.edu by February 3, 2023.
In a “Statement of Contributions to Diversity,” we ask applicants to describe their past and/or potential future contributions to promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, which is a key requirement of the role of every faculty member and administrator at UCR. There are numerous ways to contribute, and a commitment to this part of our mission can be reflected through research, teaching, supervision, mentoring, community engagement, service, and any of the other varied activities that are a part of an academic career.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.