For Educators

Professional Opportunity

Inter-collegiate Information Technology Program Director:
The Information Technology Program at UMass Amherst offers undergraduate students from any discipline an interdisciplinary minor in Information Technology (IT). Moreover, it partners with other groups on campus to promote a spectrum of IT education opportunities and perspectives, so that each student may develop IT proficiencies in a manner that best fits the student’s interests and needs. The program and its approach to “IT Across the Curriculum” (known as “ITAC”) have been highly successful and have earned widespread recognition since the program was begun conditionally in 2002. In 2007, the Faculty Senate established the program officially under the Office of the Provost. Currently, approximately 80 new students enroll in the IT Minor each year, and 65 courses from 20 departments comprise its curriculum.

The IT Program is poised for even greater growth and success and now seeks a tenured UMass Amherst faculty member to serve part-time as Program Director with an initial term of three years, beginning Jan 15, 2009, and with the possibility of reappointment.

Position Description

Primary responsibilities are to oversee all functions of the Information Technology Program and the undergraduate IT Minor, and to advance the goals of a statewide alliance of IT educators through the CAITE and CITI networks (http://www.caite.info/). The IT Director’s duties will therefore include program vision and leadership, general administrative responsibilities, communication with Deans and Department Heads and their faculty to maintain strong campus-wide commitment to the program, advocacy and partnership on campus for ITAC, and outreach/advancement with the Massachusetts business community and other educational institutions.

Other specific tasks include managing the program budget and part-time program administrator; chairing the program’s Steering/Curriculum Committee and the larger Task Force; coordinating advising with the program’s part-time chief undergraduate advisor; advising some students directly to understand students’ interests and experiences; recruiting students to the minor, including reaching those underrepresented in IT; and providing oversight to the IT Capstone course. The Director will also communicate with the Associate Provost for Academic Technology on all issues related to IT education at UMass Amherst, work with the program’s administrative assistant to track students and maintain and evaluate student data, seek external funding and opportunities for healthy growth, serve on appropriate campus wide committees (such as the Provost’s Learning Commons Committee), and further develop the campus, regional and national reputation of the program.

Experience: Two of the hallmarks of the IT Program are its interdisciplinary approach to IT across the curriculum and its appeal to a wide range of students. Candidates with a track record of using IT in their specific disciplines will be favorably regarded, as will candidates with a good understanding of the factors that influence women and under-represented minorities to participate in information technology related fields. The program is also well-positioned to attract external funding from leading companies, and experience with development/advancement would be attractive to the search committee.

Applicants who are tenured faculty with prior administrative experience are strongly preferred. This is a part-time position. Compensation includes teaching release, which will be negotiated with the successful applicant’s department, and a $10,000 summer additional compensation stipend.

Applications

Preference will be given to applications received by December 1, 2008. Candidates should submit a cover letter stating their interest in the position and their vision for the program, along with their curriculum vitae to:

IT Program Director Search

Office of the Provost

364 Whitmore

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA 01003

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.

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