At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.
About the Position
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Education is seeking an innovative and experienced leader for the Department of Foundations of Education with an earliest start date of January 15, 2023 and latest July 1, 2023. This is a 12-month, tenured faculty position.
At VCU, we believe different perspectives and expertise enhance possibilities and solutions. This philosophy drives our recruitment process, so we welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, who will contribute to an already diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.
The Department of Foundations of Education is a dynamic and productive department of 13 full-time faculty who are committed to preparing researchers, scholars, practitioners, and educators for critical and reflective work in a variety of educational settings. Department faculty work in three primary disciplines: Educational Psychology; Research, Assessment, and Evaluation; and Social Foundations. We believe that the preparation of effective education scholars and practitioners requires deep understanding of broader perspectives that are represented by research and theory in psychological, cultural, philosophical, historical, and ethical areas of inquiry. The department offers doctoral courses in education psychology; research methods, evaluation, measurement, and statistics; and historical and philosophical foundations of education as well as masters and undergraduate teacher preparation courses. Faculty value multidisciplinary perspectives and methodologies, equity and social justice, and the preparation of teachers for success in urban and high-needs environments. Department faculty are involved in research activities and community-engaged partnerships designed to improve the lives of students, children, and families in the Richmond-area and throughout national and international communities. We offer an opportunity for a senior researcher/scholar to grow the reputation of the department and foster high impact research and scholarship.
As a senior leader in the School of Education, the chairperson reports directly to the Dean of the School of Education and is responsible for all aspects of department leadership and management. This includes strategic visioning and data-informed planning, faculty and staff development and evaluation, budget and human resource management, course scheduling, and policy implementation. Applicants with research, teaching and leadership work experience with an emphasis on urban education and demonstrated experiences in advancing access, equity, inclusive excellence, and success for students, faculty, and staff from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations in academia are encouraged to apply.
Required qualifications:
– An earned doctorate in education or field closely related to educational psychology; educational research, measurement, or evaluation; and/or social foundations
– A record of research and scholarly productivity appropriate for the full professor rank
– An ongoing research program that reflects innovation and impact
– A track record of securing external funding
– Demonstrated experience in fostering and advancing a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment and commitment to doing so as a leader and faculty member in the School of Education and at VCU
– Evidence of leadership effectiveness in higher education and/or professional academic organizations
– Demonstrated experience in advancing department, school, and university goals related to equity, diversity, inclusiveness, and anti-racism
– Demonstrated experience in advancing the access and success for underrepresented and historically marginalized students, faculty, and staff
– Record of effective leadership and capacity to promote a strong collegial culture and climate
– Capacity for fiscal and human resource management
– Ability to develop and support collaborative relationships across the university and community, including school systems, state agencies, research institutes, and policy networks
Preferred qualifications:
– Prior relevant administrative experience (e.g., department chair, co-chair, or center director)
– Evidence of faculty development experience
– Evidence of collaborations with research centers and institutes and/or with community agencies/organizations
– Evidence of service and leadership in national or international professional associations
– Experience developing innovative and entrepreneurial programs, including online course offerings
– Experience with Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) budget models and implementation
About VCU
Virginia Commonwealth University VCU is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is recognized as a community-engaged institution by the Carnegie Foundation. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 226 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Recently voted as the “Best River Town in America” by Outside magazine, Richmond is a vibrant, prosperous metropolitan area of approximately one million people within a short driving distance from Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
About Richmond
Established as the commonwealth’s capital in 1780, Richmond, Virginia, is a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture and real-world opportunities. Its rich history is much in evidence in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVA — as locals call the region — to life. With the historic James River and 550 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene and affordable suburbs, this small city with a low cost of living punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz.
Richmond’s location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginia’s many wineries (Travel + Leisure magazine named Virginia one of its five wine regions in the world to visit now). Richmond’s location places VCU within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. It is within a day’s drive of 50 percent of the nation’s population and is in the path of growth in the mid-Atlantic metropolitan corridor. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to 10 Fortune 1000 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. TIME magazine’s No. 2 city in the United States for attracting millennial talent, Richmond is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the country.
Beyond Richmond, CNBC has named Virginia as the number one state in the country to do business. It has accomplished this by bringing in over $18.5 billion in capital investment and over 50,000 new jobs; investing in education; expanding access to quality healthcare for all; making sure everyone has access to opportunity; and more. Suffice to say, Virginia is full of growth and opportunity.
Application Process:
– To be considered for this position, application materials must be submitted online through VCU’s Talent@VCU Recruiting portal and must include all of the following documents:
– A cover letter that: (1) addresses the applicant’s qualifications based on position announcement and consideration of the goals and mission of Virginia Commonwealth University and the School of Education; and (2) describes the applicant’s leadership philosophy with specific attention to faculty development in a R1 research university
– Statement addressing the candidates experience, expertise, and focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
– A curriculum vitae
– Three relevant writing samples
– Names, email addresses, and phone numbers for three professional references
Application materials must be uploaded as one PDF document (when applying through the Talent@VCU Recruitment application process) for review by the Search Committee. Questions may be directed to Dr. Kathleen Moritz Rudasill (kmrudasill@vcu.edu) and/or Dr. Christine L. Bae (clbae@vcu.edu), Search Committee Co-Chairs. Candidates must agree to current and prior employers being contacted if a finalist for the position. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action University providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.