Program Director, University Writing Center

Brandeis University is delighted to announce a career opportunity as a Program Director, University Writing Center. At Brandeis, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical, dental and life insurances.

If you are looking to advance your career through educational opportunities, Brandeis offers tuition assistance for employees, dependents and spouses. Our 403b retirement savings plan includes a generous match.

The Program Director, University Writing Center will work closely with the Writing Center Fellow and graduate student consultants to develop and support programming, outreach, and publicity, and to provide writing guidance and resources for all students at Brandeis. The Program Director, University Writing Center will collaborate with fellow experts from the Center for Teaching and Learning, the University Writing Program, leadership from the School of Arts and Sciences, ELP, Academic Services, and other stakeholders at Brandeis University to spearhead and assess new developments in the field of academic writing, rhetoric, and argument, while providing essential writing support for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, the Program Director will develop and teach one section of a first-year writing seminar per year and conduct research in relevant areas of first-year writing and academic writing in the interests of developing new strategies and innovations in the field.

Job Description

• Develop and implement the strategic vision and priorities, goals and objectives, policies and procedures, and assessment measures for the Writing Center at Brandeis University. Research, plan, and develop innovative academic writing initiatives (e.g. writing skills workshops, class/discipline-specific presentations, task completion strategies for intensive writing courses, on-going thesis and dissertation workshops, lectures/presentations on writing strategies, and new research in academic writing) that support all undergraduate and graduate students in university writing, including first-generation students, international students, and multilingual student populations. 30%

• Deliver writing instruction and conduct research in academic writing. This includes teaching one section of a first-year writing course under the University Writing Program, facilitating writing workshops, dissertation retreats, and academic discussions on writing, delivering presentations, conducting research, and attending professional conferences to keep abreast of relevant developments in the field of university writing and writing centers. 30%

• Plan and implement all aspects of Writing Center operations, including hiring, training, and supervising the Writing Center Fellow and graduate student consultants, reviewing session reports, managing an annual fixed budget, and developing marketing initiatives and outreach. Promote the Writing Center and its services, and maintain positive and productive working relationships with programs and departments as they support their students.
  
  Communicate effectively with a diverse campus community and work with students, faculty, and staff from various socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, and academic backgrounds. Develop and implement strategies to increase diversity and inclusion in the Writing Center in both staffing and in the students served to achieve greater equity and promote student success. 25%

• Implement on-going assessment to ensure continued success of the Writing Center's objectives and improve its utilization. Provide end-of-term reports on usage of Writing Center services, including disaggregated data to inform equity strategies for underserved student users. Contribute to university-wide assessment of writing competence for Brandeis University students. 10%

• Other duties as needed. 5%

Requirements:

Education: Master's Degree in the humanities; PhD strongly preferred in the humanities or equivalent (or ABD with an expected completion date no later than Dec 2024); a concentration in Composition & Rhetoric or experience in the field would be an advantage.

Additional Qualification: TESOL certification expected to be completed in service after hire

Years of Experience: 3-5 years of related experience including 1-3 years in Writing Center teaching and administration required

Additional Requirements: Experience developing and teaching undergraduate composition courses.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are important values at Brandeis today and always have been for they are rooted in our founding as an institution. These values serve as a reminder for self-reflection, and a continuous call to grow for us as Brandeisans.

Founded as a model institution for ethnic and religious pluralism, Brandeis University welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all nationalities, religions, and orientations. Moreover, social justice is central to the mission of Brandeis, which endeavors to foster a just and inclusive campus culture that embraces the evolving diversity of our larger society. Read more online about our Mission and Diversity Statements at Brandeis Mission and Diversity Statements.

If you are interested in a role and have relevant experience but your work history does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we nevertheless encourage you to apply.

Closing Statement

Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.