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.

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.

• 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.

Planning: Develops the steps necessary to accomplish long-term goals. Identifies long and short-term goals and establishes realistic plans to reach them. Allocates required resources, allows for contingencies, and ensures that plans fit with the larger needs of the organization. Sets milestones to measure progress along the way.

Cross-Cultural Sensitivity/Compassion: Demonstrates awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs and concerns of individuals from different cultures. Makes adjustments in how he or she communicates out of respect for cultural differences and minimizes the number of cross-cultural misunderstandings.

Problem Solving: Takes a proactive approach to anticipating and preventing problems. When problems occur, define those problems, investigates obstacles, gathers relevant information, decides whether solving the problem should be a group decision, generates and analyzes alternate solutions, and arrives at a workable solution.

Communication/Interpersonal: Communicates effectively and appropriately. Uses good judgment as to what to communicate to whom as well as the best way to get that accomplished. Speaks in a clear and credible manner, selecting the right tone for the situation and audience. Listens to others and allows them to make their point.

Leadership, Direction, and Vision: Takes the lead in developing a shared vision that challenges and inspires individuals across various stakeholder groups (e.g. with staff, students, parents). This role articulates, discusses, and models the vision in a manner that maximizes personal credibility as well as the understanding and buy-in of others. Empowers and oversees the creation and accomplishment of specific, challenging, and attainable staff and student goals that are directly connected to the shared vision.

Managing Multiple Priorities: Handles multiple assignments and priorities yet still fulfills all commitments. Readily accepts new responsibilities and adapts well to changes in procedures. Gives appropriate priorities to various work demands.

Organizational Commitment: Passionate, energetic, and driven to make a difference; Acts with honesty, integrity, and professionalism; Self-reflective, focused on development, and makes regular progress on development areas; Learns from mistakes and setbacks; Is adaptable and welcomes change.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.