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Director of the Honors Program
Would you like to lead a program of highly motivated, curious students in a mature, energized honors program with a committed, creative faculty who are passionate about teaching?
Northern Kentucky University, founded in 1968, is known for its small classes and learner-centered environment. NKU is the fastest growing university in the commonwealth and boasts the region's most state-of-the-art science education facility, a new student union building, as well as The Bank of Kentucky Center. NKU offers 50 bachelor's degrees and 10 graduate programs, including two doctoral programs, with 14,800 students served by nearly 2,400 faculty and staff. NKU, a nationally recognized metropolitan university, is located seven miles from downtown Cincinnati in an area offering an outstanding quality of life.
Honors Program Description
The Honors Program has over 600 high achieving students majoring in every discipline of the university and offers more than 50 courses/semester (interdisciplinary seminars and Honors sections of General Education and other disciplinary courses). Students in the Honors Program are primarily affiliated with the colleges of their majors.
Honors students complete a 21-credit minor, which includes a capstone project. Entry into the first year is very competitive, with a minimal composite ACT score of 26; continuing students must maintain a university GPA of 3.33.
The Honors Program offers scholarship support for student research and projects, attendance and presentations of student work at regional and national conferences, and international study. Approximately 15% of Honors students study abroad each year.
Classrooms for most Honors courses, offices for Honors faculty and staff, and student-centered facilities (lounge, computer room, study areas) are all located in the Honors House. This creates a relaxed atmosphere in a building solely devoted to the Honors Program situated next to the oldest woods on campus but convenient to nearby residence halls and classroom buildings.
Job Description
The Director is responsible for the academic and administrative oversight of the Honors Program and its seven faculty and staff, the recruitment of diverse and exceptional students, program development and assessment, development of civic engagement and service-learning opportunities, and collaboration with faculty of all disciplines.
The Director builds support for the Program as a critical center of the university, articulates its vision among internal and external constituencies including potential students, and promotes and demonstrates excellence in faculty teaching, professional growth/development, civic engagement/service learning, and academic achievement.
The Director teaches one Honors course per academic year and remains engaged in appropriate scholarly and service activities. The Director serves under a 12-month contract and reports directly to the Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
Qualifications and Salary
Candidates must hold a doctorate in their field or appropriate terminal degree. Preference will be given to those who hold tenure at the rank of associate or full professor with outstanding scholarship in his/her own field and evidence of a commitment to academic excellence in the area of undergraduate education, especially in interdisciplinary endeavors. Preference will be given to candidates who have employed active teaching and varied assessment methods; who have a sense of the special needs of high-ability students and genuinely care about their welfare; who have experienced cultures other than their own; who have experience in Honors Programs; and who can demonstrate appreciation for and effectiveness with a diverse student body. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
Preference will also be given to candidates who show evidence of successful administrative experience in a higher education setting. The ability to interact positively with every level of administration, faculty, students and staff is essential.
Application
Letters of application should include a statement of philosophy about Honors education, a CV, names and contact information of three professional references and graduate transcripts (unofficial accepted at the initial stage). Review of materials will begin immediately; the position is open until filled. Position begins July, 2009.
Interested candidates who meet the above job description should submit application materials to HonorsDirectorSearch@nku.edu. Screening interviews will be conducted at NCHC in San Antonio and by webcam. For additional information about the Honors Program visit our website www.nku.edu/academics/special/honors.php or contact Belle Zembrodt, Assistant Director of the Honors Program, at zembrodt@nku.edu or (859) 572-5634.
Northern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.