Received an email this morning from Juliet Feibel at Campus Compact, announcing a great position opening.  Campus Compact–a national coalition of over 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education–is looking for a Director of Academic Initiatives.

Director, Academic Initiatives, Campus Compact

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. Campus Compact envisions colleges and universities as vital agents and architects of a diverse democracy, committed to educating students for responsible citizenship in ways that both deepen their education and improve the quality of community life. We challenge all of higher education to make civic and community engagement an institutional priority.

The director of academic initiatives provides leadership and strategic focus for Campus Compact’s work to embed civic and community engagement within teaching and research activities at the more than 1,100 member colleges and universities. The successful candidate will be deeply committed to engagement and to building and sustaining partnerships with staff at the state and national Compact offices as well as higher education associations, governmental agencies, and community-based organizations.  S/he will also understand and be able to work effectively with faculty, academic administrators, center directors, and other campus stakeholders at different types of institutions and with various levels of experience with engagement. S/he must be comfortable with both leadership and management functions related to a wide variety of events, programs, and technical assistance activities designed to support and highlight engagement efforts across the country. Travel is required.

Key responsibilities:

• Advises and collaborates with the network of 35 state Campus Compact offices on strategies to promote engaged campuses and the scholarship of engagement, including professional development opportunities for faculty and administrators.
• Creates resource materials on research findings, promising practices, and key issues or trends in the field.
• Communicates regularly with the network, national members, and the field in general about new resources and developments. Works with communication staff regarding the production of materials for the website as well as the framing of the Compact’s academic work.
• Oversees and/or collaborates on specific initiatives such as The Research Universities and Civic Engagement Network (TRUCEN), Campus Compact’s Consulting Corps and Engaged Scholars, and the Thomas Ehrlich Faculty Award.
• Plans and implements activities related to Campus Compact’s role as Higher Education Program Advisor to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
• Creates and sustains collaborations with strategic partners (e.g. AACC, AAC&U, AASCU, Carnegie Foundation, CCNCCE, HBCU Faculty Development Network, NSLC, disciplinary associations).
• Manages grants and supervises project interns and graduate assistants.
• Represents the organization at conferences, on committees, etc.

Qualifications:

• A deep-seated commitment to civic and community engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and to think creatively and critically.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in higher education institutions and/or associations.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships, develop initiatives, and manage grants related to service-learning, community-based research, and other aspects of engaged scholarship required; knowledge of and experience with Campus Compact preferred.
• Flexibility to travel nationally and to work weekends.
• M.A./M.S. required, Ph.D./Ed.D. preferred.

How to apply:

To apply, please provide in electronic format:

• Letter of interest.
• Current resume or curriculum vita.
• A written statement in 3 – 5 double spaced pages that describes your experience in and passion for civic engagement personally and/or professionally and your vision for the academic strategic focus for Campus Compact in the future.

Please submit materials by May 31, 2009 to