Assistant Director for Learning Excellence

Utah State University (USU) in beautiful Logan, UT is looking to hire an Assistant Director for Learning Excellence within the Office of Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence.

The Assistant Director reports to the Executive Director of Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence within the Student Achievement Collaborative. In this position, you will have the opportunity to:

• Direct the Learning Excellence teaching, coaching, programming, and outcomes at USU.
• Collaborate with faculty and other stakeholders to integrated habits of mind and learning strategies throughout the USU system.
• Contribute to the leadership of the Office of Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence.

As a USU employee you will receive: 13 paid holidays per year, earn 22 vacation days per year, earn 12 days of sick leave per year, 14.2% of gross income paid to a retirement account without an employee match, excellent health and dental insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and tuition reduction benefits. See more at https://www.usu.edu/hr/compensation/calculator.

1. Direct Learning Excellence Instruction and Academic Success Coaching

• Supervise 3 Learning Specialists at the USU-Logan campus.
• Coordinate the objectives and outcomes for Learning Specialists throughout the USU System.
• Collaborate with the Provost’s Office on all curriculum for the following courses:
  • USU 1730: Strategies for Academic Success, a 3-credit course that Orients students to the systems, tools, and resources unique to higher education that are needed to maximize academic and helps students develop critical thinking, study, and learning strategies necessary for college success.
  • USU 1020: Planning for College Success. This introductory course focuses on the theory and practice of effective planning, including time management, organizational skills, adult mindset, and motivation. These course skills enable students to optimize their ability to have success in academic and other environments.
  • USU 1040: Learning for College Success. This introductory course focuses on developing academic skills, beliefs, and behaviors for implementation in and out of class.
  • USU 1060: Reading for College Success. This introductory course focuses on practical application of learning science and strategies and the development of critical thinking skills needed to comprehend and distill meaning from college-level texts.
  • USU 1070: Success in STEM. This introductory course focuses on assisting students in achieving success in STEM environments, particularly mathematics, statistics, biology, and chemistry. The course focus is to enhance students’ ability to recognize and avoid common difficulties in STEM-related areas.
• Work with the Registrar’s Office, Provost’s Office, and other stakeholders to determine the schedule for all Learning Excellence courses taught throughout the USU system.
• Provide assessment, feedback, and support to all instructors of these courses.
• Conduct trainings and team meetings for all instructors of Learning Excellence courses.
• Evaluate effectiveness of teaching strategies and make necessary adjustments for improvement.
• Collaborate with stakeholders around campus to integrate learning strategies into USU classes
• Develop and deliver marketing, presentations, workshops, and seminars for campus partners in support of general education.
• Lead efforts to support the following outcomes:
  • Increased academic confidence and a sense of academic belonging.
  • Consistent student progress toward completion of degree or credential.
  • Learning excellence through the development of habits of mind and learning strategies
• Manage the Learning Specialists budgets.

2. Direct the Supplemental Instruction Program

• Hire, train, and supervise the Student Coordinator for Supplemental Instruction
• Oversee the hiring, training, and supervision of Supplemental Instruction leaders and team leads.
• Lead the SI Faculty Advisory Committee.
• Work with the Provost’s Office to solicit faculty applications for SI support.
• Direct training for all faculty receiving SI support.
• Assess the impact of Supplemental Instruction.
• Manage the Supplemental Instruction budgets.

3. Provide Departmental Leadership and Support

• Meet regularly with the Executive Director to determine departmental needs and priorities.
• Responsibilities and duties as assigned.

4. Provide Systemwide Leadership and Collaboration.

• Serve on University committees and working groups as directed.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and student leaders to develop and refine additional Learning Excellence initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in an applicable discipline plus four years of teaching experience or an equivalent combination of education and teaching experience.
• A minimum of two years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated competencies in learning excellence and habits of mind.
• Proven computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office suite programs, and a willingness and ability to learn additional computer software programs including the LMS, SIS, Canvas, etc.
• Committed to providing an equitable and accessible standard of care for all USU students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge regarding Utah State University services, academic policies, procedures, and resources.
• Involvement in student support and/or success programming within a higher education setting.
• Experience developing curriculum.
• Trained in teaching reading for comprehension at a collegiate level.
• Trained in teaching STEM.
• Experience with budget management.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Effective communication skills including the ability to convey information both verbally and in writing.
• Exhibited attention to detail.
• Ability to innovate and adapt strategies to improve learning outcomes.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
3. Leadership Philosophy to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The purpose of the Office of Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence is to empower students to reach their goal of earning a degree from Utah State University. We accomplish this through intentional collaboration with students, faculty, support professionals, and university administrators. To learn more, please visit: https://www.usu.edu/able 

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

* updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov