Assistant Professor of Practice and McNair Program Director

The Graduate College seeks to hire an Assistant Professor of Practice and McNair Program Director in our Diversity and Inclusion Office. This position includes 50% teaching, 30% administration, and 20% scholarly activities. The successful candidate will direct and administer the Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program grant, including teaching the McNair Scholar classes each fall, spring and summer and will participate in scholarly activities.

As the University of Arizona (UArizona) Graduate College’s premier undergraduate research program, the Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program (MAP) is a year-round undergraduate research and mentoring program designed to increase the number of graduate degrees awarded to students from groups underrepresented in higher education. MAP provides low-income, first-generation college, and underrepresented students with opportunities and activities to develop skills necessary to excel in their academic studies and assistance with admission into a graduate program.

This position is responsible for daily operations of MAP and the hiring and oversight of MAP staff and Graduate Assistant(s). They will take primary responsibility for curriculum and instruction of MAP to include determining student learning outcomes and overseeing student assessment, and will participate in national McNair conferences, trainings and will integrate recommendations and best practices into the existing McNair program The teaching load includes a one-unit class in the fall, a three and one-unit course in the spring, and a three-unit course in the summer.

The Assistant Professor of Practice’s scholarship may be disseminated through publications, presentations, seminars, lectures, panel discussions, training materials, online sites, interviews with media, policy briefs, and other means. Their work is evidence or research-based and informs other teachers, researchers, the public, and policy makers. They may be involved in research studies leading to publications. In addition to their disciplinary knowledge and skills, their knowledge base includes assessment and evaluation, best practices in graduate education, trends in graduate education and policy.

The University of Arizona’s Graduate College supports UArizona’s diverse and inclusive strategic initiatives designed to create an inclusive environment for all faculty, staff and students. The candidate is expected to support these same efforts in the Graduate College’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

This career-track appointment is not eligible for tenure.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!
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• Develop and revise curriculum, student learning outcomes, syllabi, and lesson plans on Technical/professional writing and graduate school admissions and preparation

• Teach and/or supervise McNair courses to include:
  • Spring courses: GRAD 492: Directed Research and Preparation for Graduate Education, GRAD 496B, Seminar in Graduate School Preparation
  • One summer course: ENGL: 340 (to be renamed: Topics in Technical and Professional Writing
  • One fall course: GRAD 496A: Graduate School Preparation, Applying to Graduate Programs

• Hire and supervise Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)

• Above and beyond curriculum and instruction responsibilities, the Director will also:

• Hire and supervise the MAP Administrative Assistant
• Monitor student progress, provide academic advice and assistance with learning skills.
• Maintain program databases for student tracking
• Prepare MAP budget proposals and track program expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. Department of Education MAP grant regulations.
• Maintain MAP databases for student tracking and annual reporting.
• Prepare recruitment materials for McNair to present information to prospective students and UArizona campus advisors and staff regarding programming.
• Develop and oversee activities aimed at recruiting faculty mentors to undergraduate research activities.
• Maintain established relationships with faculty mentors and departmental staff for continued student and faculty mentor recruitment.
• Assist in editing and further develop suitable recruitment flyers, media, and publicity events.
• Oversee aspects of McNair’s web content and D2L web pages for McNair courses.
• Interview and select student participants.
• Oversee all aspects of McNair student data collection and management.
• Actively participate in UROC events on behalf of MAP participants.
• Ensure MAP student participation in UROC graduate school preparation workshops
• Assist in editing and finalizing the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium (UROC) summer publications to include: UROC Summer Abstract Journal, Final Colloquium Schedule and Brochure, and Final Poster Session and Closing Ceremony Brochure.
• Assist in the planning and oversight of the annual UROC Poster Session and Closing Ceremony. Monitor and report on program participation and results in conjunction with all UROC Staff and affiliates
• Some evening and weekend time may need to be dedicated for workshops and social events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate research. Working knowledge of assessment procedures of university programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with faculty, administrators, and staff in diverse disciplines; makes presentations in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong research and analytical skills; ability to understand and synthesize information from a wide variety of disciplines

Qualifications for appointments by rank
Assistant Professor of Practice, Career-Track:

• Established record of achievement with recognized expertise as documented in strong letters of recommendation from clients, collaborators and supervisors. Other supporting evidence may include demonstrated administrative experience, grant activities, training materials, presentations or publications, and service on committees or boards.

• Demonstrated success in teaching (broadly defined in addition to classroom teaching to include professional development and training, mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and other activities). Documentation might include strong student evaluations or a portfolio that documents the candidate’s understanding of the relevant educational principles and standards. This may include curriculum design and outcomes assessment, innovative training materials, or peer reviews that demonstrate candidates’ teaching effectiveness and positive impact on students.

The Program Director will have an earned master's degree or preferred doctorate in education, STEM or social science discipline, counseling or related field with five years experience, as well as:

• Two years’ experience teaching undergraduate students to include experience in
  curriculum development, classroom assessment, and program evaluation
• Two years’ experience working with economically disadvantaged and underrepresented
  STEM students in an educational setting with a strong understanding of research methodologies and practices
• Two years of program administration experience in budget management, fiscal
  management tools, staff supervision, and knowledge of program evaluation methods.
• Experience in working with undergraduate students with evidence of assisting students
  in such areas as goal setting, educational or career planning, the graduate application
  process, financial literacy, and standardized test preparation
• Experience working with faculty in a higher education setting
• Two years of staff supervisory experience