An Invitation to Apply: University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) College of Education Orthwein Endowed Professor for Life-Long Learning in the Sciences

Transcription

1 An Invitation to Apply: University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) College of Education Orthwein Endowed Professor for Life-Long Learning in the Sciences THE SEARCH The Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education (COE) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) seeks candidates to fill the position of William R. Orthwein, Jr., Endowed Professor in Life-Long Learning in the Sciences. The position requires a person who has extensive experience and active involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) content and grant-funded research in one of these areas. The College of Education has developed the Mathematics and Science Education Central (MSEC) as part of the Technology and Learning Center (TLC). This position includes an endowment fund to implement grant-funded projects; managing the endowment account will be one of his/her responsibilities. The responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to develop grant-funded research projects for the Mathematics and Science Education Center (MSEC) in cooperation with the director of the Technology Learning Center (TLC) and to work with the Orthwein Endowed Professor s designated community partner, the Saint Louis Science Center (SLSC), to the benefit of those projects. The position requires that 50% of the work is in collaboration with the St. Louis Science Center. The strategic plans of both the College of Education and the St. Louis Science Center have identified the establishment of a center that would provide youth and adults with opportunities to keep current in the fast pace 1

2 world of scientific and technological change. The College of Education has proven expertise in the STEM disciplines with four other endowed professors in the area and continual funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation. The St. Louis Science Center is the fifth most visited science center in the country, helping visitors understand today's science issues in light of past accomplishments and future visions. A partnership with the SLS in the area of Life-Long Learning in the Sciences would establish a model program with national replication possibilities in this field. The Orthwein Endowed Professor position reports to the Dean of the College of Education and is a twelve-month appointment. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications, as is faculty appointment in a University department, if/as S/he is expected to work collaboratively with other researchers and educators campus-wide and with other institutions in a manner that supports the College s mission, vision and goals. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION The core responsibilities of this position include: 1. Securing research grants for large-scale Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects to be run through the Mathematics and Science Education Central (MSEC), but engaging researchers campuswide and the St. Louis Science Center (SLSC) as participants, as 2. Teaming with educators to help MSEC serve as an integrative, interdisciplinary research force and venue, occupying the intersection between STEM content areas and educational engagement with STEM learners at all levels pertaining to those content areas. 3. Managing the endowment account. 4. Working in partnership with the St. Louis Science Center (SLSC), as Given the candidate s background, expertise and interests the following may be negotiated: 1. Faculty appointment in an appropriate University department rank and status (i.e., tenured vs. contract) if/as 2. Teaching courses, seminars, colloquia, etc., if/as 3. Engaging graduate and undergraduate students in MSEC projects, if/as 4. Advising and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, if/as 2

3 CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate will possess the following core qualifications: 1. Proven skills, expertise and a solid track record of grant-funded research in STEM content areas. 2. Demonstrated comfort and success in serving as a leader and catalyst for largescale, interdisciplinary, multi-organization research projects, 3. Experience in building and exploiting the sorts of strategic partnering relationships that will be need to make STEM research within MSEC a successful venture. 4. Earned doctorate in science education or a closely related field. 5. History of receiving research grants. Additional desired qualifications include: 1. Clearly demonstrated leadership skills and experience with community partnerships. 2. An ability to publish the results of STEM research in scholarly journals. TO APPLY: The executive search firm The Hollander Group has been retained by the University of Missiouri-St. Louis (UMSL) to assist in this recruitment. For full consideration, candidates must send a letter of application that addresses items mentioned above. Accompanying the letter must be a CV; examples or links to the applicant s grants and publications; and three letters of recommendation, including the names, titles, addresses, addresses and telephone numbers of those providing recommendations. References/recommendations will not be contacted without candidate permission. All materials must be submitted electronically to info@thehollandergroup.net Requests for further information should be directed to the above address or to: Clifford R. Hollander, PhD, or Sharon M. Flynn Hollander, MBA Phone: The University of Missouri-St. Louis does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability or status as a disable veteran or veteran of the Vietnam Era in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. The institution is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. 3

4 THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI--ST. LOUIS (UMSL) UMSL Overview The University of Missouri system is one of the nation's largest higher education institutions, with more than 64,000 students on four campuses (St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City and Rolla) and an extension program with activities in every county of the state. The mission of the University, as a land-grant university and Missouri's only public research and doctoral-level institution, is to discover, disseminate, preserve, and apply knowledge. The University promotes student learning and achievement, fosters innovation to support economic development, and advances the health, cultural, and social interests of the people of Missouri, the nation and the world. The University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), established in 1963 as part of the University of Missouri system, is the largest public university serving the St. Louis metropolitan area. In its role as an urban research university, UMSL provides quality undergraduate, graduate and professional educational degrees to the greater St. Louis metropolitan area s diverse population while it contributes to economic development. UMSL has a rich tradition of fostering student learning through excellent teaching. The University offers nationally recognized academic programs and a safe, attractive campus environment. Academic Analytics has again ranked UMSL in faculty productivity among the top small (i.e., fewer than 15 doctoral programs) research universities. UMSL s colleges of International Business, Criminology, Education (Counseling), Nursing and Tropical Ecology are highly ranked and have received for their outstanding programs, including the College of Nursing s master s program. Enrollment at UMSL in Fall 2011 comprised approximately 16,800 students with about 75% undergraduates, about 60% men / 40% women. More than ¾ of undergraduate students receive financial aid. UMSL is situated in metropolitan St. Louis, an area extremely rich in cultural diversity and activities. Located conveniently within minutes of St. Louis Lambert International Airport with two on-campus MetroLink stops, the UMSL campus has a comfortable, suburban feel. The University has partnerships with local commercial organizations, including ExpressScripts, the largest provider of prescription mail services in the US and has been recognized for its extensive community outreach and collaborative partnerships. UMSL provides its students with 54 undergraduate degrees, 37 Master s level and 15 doctoral programs, 24 graduate certificate programs, two education specialist programs and the only professional optometry degree in Missouri. Its faculty members are nationally recognized leaders, researchers and scholars, journal editors, consultants and entrepreneurs who provide high quality education. The University is culturally and ethnically diverse with a student population of more than 16,800 individuals representing 48 states and more than 62 countries. More than 60% of the students are women and 23% are from minority groups. In addition to its national and international academic 4

5 programs, UMSL hosts international students and visiting scholars from all regions of the world. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 1 COE Overview The University of Missouri-St. Louis 21st Century College of Education, as part of Missouri s public, metropolitan, land-grant, research university is a leader in the ongoing development of educators for instructional, leadership, research and other roles in traditional and non-traditional learning communities. The College is a collaborative learning environment and is committed to advancing the quality of teaching, learning, and research as it serves a dynamic, technologically advanced, and vibrant community. As the largest supplier of educators in the state, the College of Education at UMSL educates a major portion of teachers, principals, and counselors for Missouri's largest metropolitan area and chief economic region. St. Louis metropolitan area supports about one-third of the teachers, and one-third of the students in Missouri. The UMSL College of Education is a leader in providing innovative, creative education programs. Founded in 1965, the College is positioned with partnerships throughout the region to provide World Class programming for tomorrow s education professionals and leaders dedicated individuals who will greatly influence the lives of our children and our future. The College of Education recently began offering studio school opportunities in schools, museums, agency and corporate settings, thus broadening a student s view of education. With nearly 20,000 College of Education alumni -- most of whom stay in the St. Louis area -- our graduates have touched the life of virtually every child in the region Fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the College is positioned with partnerships throughout the region to provide World Class programming for tomorrow s education professionals and leaders. These are the people who will greatly influence the lives of our children and, as such, our region s future. COE Academic Programs The College of Education has 21 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. 1 For information about the UMSL College of Education please visit 5

6 COE Faculty Profile The College of Education has over 130 full-time and part-time faculty. The student-tofaculty ratio is 18 to 1. COE Student Profile The College of Education has approximately 1,000 undergraduate students, 725 masters and special education students, 250 doctoral students and 200 post-baccalaureate certification students. The College boasts more than 20,000 alumni. UMSL/COE Endowed Professorship Program In the past decade, the College has garnered all or part of twelve endowed professorships, bringing the total number of endowed professors to 14. These important professorships have provided the College with the foundation to become a world leader in educator preparation. No other educator preparation program in a public university in the United States has as many as 14 endowed professors holding rank and specializing in various aspects of children s education, including science education, character education, art education, urban education, and educating children with disabilities. Each professorship has formalized connections with the region's public cultural and science learning institutions, youth service organizations, and organizations serving disabled children. Representing a tremendous wealth of knowledge, these national leaders in their respective fields of study are committed to providing research, teaching and outreach programs to the St. Louis community. The William R. Orthwein, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Life-Long Learning in the Sciences is a part of the Des Lee Collaborative Vision 2 (DLCV), which is dedicated to creating and leveraging academic-community affiliations in order to attract new talent to St. Louis. DLCV is comprised of 35 endowed professorships in St. Louis, each with a mission of "engaged scholarship." Thirty of the professorships are at UMSL, four at Washington University and one at St. Louis University. Several, like the Orthwein Professorship, have a designated community partner as part of the endowment agreement. The Des Lee Collaborative Vision is comprised of 35 endowed professorships in St. Louis, each with a mission of "engaged scholarship." Thirty of the professorships are at UMSL, four at Washington University and one at St. Louis University. Several, like the 2 For more information about the Des Lee and the Des Lee Collaborative Vision see 6

7 Orthwein Professorship, have a designated community partner as part of the endowment agreement. THE SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER AN UMSL PARTNER The Saint Louis Science Center (SLSC) ranks among the five largest science centers in the United States, serving more than one million visitors annually. Educational programming for all of its audiences reaches more than 400,000 participants each year. The Science Center is well known for its work with underserved urban youth through a program of sustained engagement spanning the four years of high school. The Center has a sophisticated process for tracking the engagement of its audiences and measuring impact. Exhibit and program content spans the major STEM disciplines utilizing experience based models to engage visitors and students. The Science Center has well-established partnerships with the civic, academic and business communities. These partnerships expand the reach of the institution to a broader audience and enrich the experiences of the community and stakeholders as well. Exhibits and programs produced by the Saint Louis Science Center and its partners are shared through a network of 160 science centers around the world. The Science Beyond the Boundaries network now has the potential to reach more than 70 million visitors a year. A signature partnership is with the College of Education at UMSL. The two organizations share a joint commitment to enhance the educational experience of the students on the campus and through activities with the Science Center. Since the establishment of the Orthwein Endowed Professorship, the two organizations have developed a number of joint activities and submitted several successful grants together. The Science Center remains committed to the intent and potential of this partnership long term. 7