Faculty Director of Sears think[box]
Position Description
Applications will be accepted until the successful candidate has been identified. Those received prior to January 13, 2025, will receive first consideration.
Date: December 2024
Business Title: Faculty Director of Sears think[box]
Department Name: Sears think[box]
Management Center: University General
Supervisor Name and Title: Jeffrey Capadona, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Innovation in Education
Position Objective
The Faculty Director of the Sears think[box] will work closely with the Executive Director and Vice Provost for Innovation to focus on the integration of makerspace resources into academic curricula and the advancement of strategic initiatives for experiential learning. This role is an administrative supplemental position. Compensation will be in the form of a stipend, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Key Responsibilities
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Academic integration support (40%): Collaboratively lead the development of curriculum utilizing think[box] resources for introduction into new and existing academic programs/courses. Work with the Executive Director and think[box] Senior Staff to creatively support faculty course needs. Identify and cultivate relationships with key departments to showcase think[box] resources and share successful examples of think[box]-based coursework, projects, and other experiential learning opportunities from peer departments. Provide faculty perspective on other academic partnerships.
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Faculty Fellowship program support (40%): Lead the visioning, deployment, and refinement of the think[box] Faculty Fellowship, providing input on program structure, requirements, and desired outcomes. Work with the Executive Director and think[box] Senior Staff to craft a thoughtful program arc, including website language, application process, project requirements, timeline, and assessment criteria. Review seasonal applications, participate in the selection committee, and promote the Fellowship to faculty and department heads. Lead program delivery in collaboration with think[box] staff.
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Faculty advocacy and outreach (15%): Serve as a faculty liaison and advocate for think[box] within the academic community. Champion experiential learning opportunities to faculty peers. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and other potential partners. Attend high-level strategic outreach events and activities as needed (1-2 per semester). Champion think[box]’s mission and vision, prioritizing both student and public users.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support mission-critical activities (2.5%).
- Perform other duties assigned (2.5%).
Contacts
Department: Continuous contact with Sears think[box] staff and Executive Director to collaborate on initiatives as defined above. Regular contact with student technicians to gather information and share perspectives.
University: Regular contact with the Office of the Provost and faculty peers from all departments to represent think[box]’s academic goals; occasional contact with the deans of schools and colleges.
External: Occasional contact with public users to gather information and share perspectives. Occasional contact with donors and local corporate partners for outreach and programming efforts.
Students: Occasional contact with undergraduate and graduate student users to gather information and share perspectives.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
Qualifications
Experience: Tenured or nontenure track faculty appointment at Case Western Reserve University.
Required Skills
- Commitment to think[box]s diverse stakeholders, including public and student users.
- Demonstrated interest in—and a strong understanding of—maker culture, experiential learning, and innovation in education. Prior experience with think[box] or similar makerspaces preferred.
- Experience incorporating project-based or hands-on learning in his/her/their courses.
- Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the university's values, mission, and messaging, while adhering to the policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
- Track record of successful cross-disciplinary collaboration, including an ability to build strong faculty relationships and champion creative initiatives.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and management skills and a collaborative management style.
- Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment.
- Persuasive and passionate speaker for events (e.g., emcee, panel member, keynote speaker, conference speaker, television interviewee/interviewer).
- Ability to engage and motivate students from multiple backgrounds (e.g., art, music, engineering, science) engaged in outreach programs.
- Demonstrated commitment to high professional, ethical standards within a diverse workplace.
Working Conditions
The employee may be asked to work flexible hours and will occasionally be required to work on evenings and weekends. Ability to travel and work flexible hours, may include some evenings and weekends as required. Workshop safety rules must be strictly enforced at all times when interacting with staff and students who are using various workshop/laboratory machines and equipment.
Submission Requirements
Candidates should submit 1) a cover letter that states interest in the position, experience in areas related to the role, and vision for the role, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) a list of four reference contacts. Please submit application materials as one, combined PDF to Liz Jaszczak at eaj54@case.edu. Please name your file "Last Name, First Name_Faculty Director for think[box]." Applications will be accepted until the successful candidate has been identified; those received prior to January 13, 2025, will receive first consideration.