Department Chair - CTU Colorado Springs

General Summary

The Program Chair is a member of the faculty (with rank appropriate to the educational and professional background of the individual) who also holds an administrative appointment related to managing the Lead Faculty and faculty within a specific academic program or set of academic programs. With accountability for coaching and managing faculty, the Program Chair exemplifies teaching and student support strategies, while upholding faculty performance standards and student engagement policies (including those related to faculty presence, participation, feedback, and outreach). With responsibilities for teaching and instruction, the Program Chair provides for meaningful student learning of the course and programmatic learning outcomes in the curriculum and proactively supports all facets of the learning environment. The Program Chair provides and champions education through Colorado Technical University’s Professional Learning Model that assists program graduates to fulfill the evolving needs of the marketplace.

• The Program Chair has a normal course load each academic year to teach 1 course (4 to 6 quarter hours) per academic year. This allows the Program Chair to focus on faculty coaching, managing, and administrative responsibilities.

• The course load may encompass one or more teaching modalities (online, blended, or campus-based) as appropriate to the physical location of the faculty member and the needs of Colorado Technical University.

• The Program Chair successfully completes required training and appropriate professional development, consistent with the requirements in the Faculty Handbook.

• The Program Chair must carry out the duties and responsibilities of this position consistent with the mission of Colorado Technical University and the mandates set by the Colorado Technical University Board of Trustees and administration.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities as a Full-time Faculty Member

• Performs responsibilities (as a faculty member) as outlined in this job description and in accordance with the provisions of the Faculty Handbook (including faculty expectations) and the Colorado Technical University Employee Handbook.

• Participates in periodic and annual faculty evaluation requirements (including class observations) to provide a strong, student-focused educational environment through consistent adherence to student competencies, assessments, and pedagogy, in compliance with Colorado Technical University policies.

• Based on instructional needs of the University and with explicit prior written approval of the Vice Provost, the Program Chair may teach a course on an “overload” basis. In cases where such responsibilities are undertaken, compensation for “overload” courses is awarded only after the completion of all courses required within the normal course load during the academic year. Requests for such teaching must follow the policies and procedures of Colorado Technical University.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities as a Member of Faculty Management

• Performs responsibilities (as a Program Chair) as outlined in this job description and in accordance with the provisions of the Faculty Handbook and the Colorado Technical University Employee Handbook.

• Contributes to the new faculty onboarding and training process, including needs assessment, interviews of potential candidates (as applicable), coaching, and mentoring.

• Coaches, manages, and inspires faculty through the instructional process, driving compliance with Colorado Technical University’s academic policies and procedures and striving to continuously improve the level of instructional expertise.

• Observes faculty, monitors applicable reports and dashboards, and reviews course elements to ensure quality of instruction and faculty activities meet Colorado Technical University’s faculty expectations.

• Reviews and provides feedback on faculty performance, including periodic performance reviews.

• Reviews student-based and other evaluation sources, shares evaluations with faculty, identifies opportunities for improvement, and works collaboratively to implement solutions.

• Working with campus staff, Directors of Academic Operations, and the other Program Chairs, uses available data to actively manage class scheduling in order to ensure appropriate student/faculty ratios, faculty loading, and facility utilization.

• Collaborates with academic personnel to develop a faculty pool with appropriate academic and professional qualifications.

• Provides support to faculty in times of need by professionally and expediently answering questions, addressing faculty issues, and resolving faculty complaints.

• Participates in the initial collection and periodic updates of all documentation required to meet accreditation and regulatory requirements for the faculty file.

• Provides support to students in times of need by professionally and expediently answering questions, addressing student issues, and resolving student complaints.

• Monitors faculty follow-up with students concerning missing work and/or poor academic progress, working with the Program Director, Directors of Academic Operations, and Colorado campus staff (if applicable) on Colorado Technical University’s student retention and success initiatives.

• Participates in surfacing needs, specifying outcomes, identifying alternatives, and implementing technology and support innovations.

• Participates in surfacing needs, specifying outcomes, identifying content, and reviewing completed faculty training and professional development modules (including in-service activities) related to annual plan completion.

• Attends required University and departmental meetings, including graduation ceremonies, Doctoral Symposia (as applicable), and other formal functions as appropriate (subject to resource availability).

• Participates in the planning, coordination, and implementation of applicable large-scale University, departmental, and Colorado campus meetings (e.g., Summits, Doctoral Symposia, Quarterly Meetings, New Student Orientation, etc.).

• Participates in standing committees of the University and department (e.g., Program Committee, Assessment Committee, SAP Committee, IRB, etc.) based on University and departmental needs.

• Provides quarterly instructional reports to university leadership on appropriate metrics for the students, faculty, courses, and programs. The Program Chair highlights achievements, discusses areas for opportunity, and works with the pertinent Program Director and/or University Dean to design appropriate initiatives for improvements.

• Works with University and department administration to implement academic policies, procedures, educational policies, and assessment plans that are compliant with HLC and programmatic accreditation standards and state agency regulations.

• Communicates consistently and effectively with the department administration, campus administration (if applicable), students, faculty colleagues, and other Colorado Technical University staff and administration.

• Consulting activities and outside teaching must be carefully limited to ensure that these activities do not interfere with the Program Chair’s primary responsibilities. Therefore, each instance of consulting activities and outside teaching may be entered into only with prior express written permission of the Vice Provost, in accordance with the provisions of the Faculty Handbook and the Colorado Technical University Employee Handbook. The obligation of reporting all such activities is in conjunction with the Program Chair’s annual evaluation process.

• Is present on campus and available for students, faculty, and staff during the necessary hours to meet administrative and academic needs.

• Provides flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and weekends to meet student and business requirements Performs other duties as assigned.