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The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Administration program in the school of education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota invites applications for the position of program director. As one of the most renowned licensure programs in the state and region, Saint Mary’s Ed.S. in Educational Administration prepares students for careers as K-12 principals, directors of special education, and superintendents.

The Ed.S. in Educational Administration program is also distinctly grounded in character and virtue formation. In 2019, Saint Mary’s received a $1.7 million grant from the Kern Family Foundation to develop an enhanced curriculum in the Ed.S. program that emphasizes the moral character of educational leaders. The University of Birmingham’s (UK) Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtue framework is a model for this work. Other components of the initiative include a multi-day, residential summer institute on character and virtue in leadership, character-based professional development, and supporting partner schools.

At Saint Mary’s, educational leadership is not only what the leader knows but who they are. Our practitioner-based curriculum is designed to equip students with sound theory, practical skills, and personal formation to become an educational leader of both competence and character. Graduates of our Ed.S. program not only serve as moral leaders in their schools but often in their communities as well. We desire our graduates to be competent professionals as well as individuals who practice moral virtues such as honesty and justice; civic virtues such as civility and service; and intellectual virtues such as open-mindedness and patience.

The program director provides leadership and direction for the program including overseeing its enrollment, budget, curriculum, faculty, and staff. With a program consisting of 29 credits, there are many opportunities for teaching; this position could include a dual appointment as a core faculty member in the program depending on the candidate’s credentials. A successful candidate will support the program’s focus on character-based leadership and a virtue-based approach to professional ethics, have experience with both adult education and online teaching, possess familiarity with administrative licenses in compliance with all the requirements in MR3512 and Minnesota Board of School Administrators governing the licensure programs for principals, superintendents, and directors of special education.

Reporting to the dean of the school of education, this full-time position will work in collaboration with core faculty, experienced administrators who serve as course-contracted faculty members, and program staff in addition to faculty and staff across numerous programs.

Candidates with experience and expertise in all areas of educational leadership are welcome to apply. We seek outstanding candidates with experience as school administrators and a record of excellence in educational leadership and teaching. The school of education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota seeks to attract, retain, and develop faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds to enhance the diversity of the learning community. Successful candidates must possess a commitment to the ideals of our university mission: Enriched by the Lasallian Catholic heritage, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. 

The program director is responsible for the development, oversight, and evaluation of all program activities including but not limited to:

• Schedule classes, collect and review syllabi, and monitor course evaluations.
• Oversee curriculum ongoing curriculum revision; recommend changes in curriculum and policy to the dean and assistant dean, as needed.
• Recruit, orient, and evaluate course-contracted faculty members and core faculty member(s); recommend rank.
• Conduct faculty meetings and collaborate with faculty.
• Support the fall and spring faculty workshops; design relevant professional development for course-contracted faculty, as needed.
• Support character-initiatives including but not limited to the Summer Institute and continuing education programs  .
• Edit program manuals to align with BOSA standards and state mandates, as needed.
• Attend BOSA program director meetings; represent Saint Mary’s to external partners.
• Manage the onboarding process of out-of-state candidates.
• Develop and monitor the program budget.
• Uphold academic and professional requirements.
• Develop new courses, professional development programs, and new policies and procedures, as needed.
• Oversee and support the program’s marketing plan for recruiting new students.
• Evaluate applications for admission, manage interviews, and make recommendations.
• Serve as advisor to students; oversee research topics and capstone projects in collaboration with faculty.
• Approve practicum experiences in all three areas in collaboration with site advisors.
• Serve as the administrative representative with student exit meetings .
• Provide an orientation session for new students as needed.

The selected candidate will have the following qualifications:

Required qualifications include:

1. Doctorate in discipline related to educational leadership; Ed.S. degree (or equivalent) in educational administration  .
2. Current Minnesota administrative licensure as a K-12 principal, director of special education, or superintendent.
3. Minimum of five years of experience as a K-12 principal, director of special education, or superintendent.
4. Experience with graduate education, advising, and online teaching.

Preferred qualifications include:

1. Minimum of three years of experience in academic administration in higher education.
2. Experience with Canvas learning management system.
3. Experience with data-driven program assessment.
4. Have experience with university-level teaching, scholarship, and service meriting the academic rank of assistant, associate, or full professor.

Apply online at www.smumn.edu/careers and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University’s mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary’s University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

https://external-saintmarysuniversity.icims.com/jobs/1133/program-director-and-core-faculty-ed.s.-school-of-education/job

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.