Career Center

Bard College is seeking applicants for Director of Bard College's Language and Thinking Program, an intensive introduction to the liberal arts and sciences attended by all incoming Bard students during the last three weeks of August (and in an abbreviated form for transfer students in January). We encourage applications from individuals who are members of groups that historically have been underrepresented and marginalized in higher education (including, but not limited to, Black, African American, Asian American, Indigenous, or Latinx candidates), and/or individuals whose experience, teaching, or research will contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the scope of Bard College's commitment to DEI (see statement below). 

Established at Bard College in 1981, Language and Thinking fosters robust interdisciplinary study, innovative pedagogy, and writing across a wide range of genres. Students read extensively, work on a variety of projects in writing and other formats, and meet throughout the day in small groups and in one-on-one conferences with faculty. The work aims to cultivate habits of thoughtful reading and discussion, clear articulation, accurate self-critique, and productive collaboration. Central to all of this is an examination of the link between thought and expression. The Program is an introduction to the intellectual and creative life of the College and to the Bard campus and community.

The Program Director is responsible for all facets of the program and reports directly to the Director of the Institute for Writing and Thinking, working in close collaboration and consultation with the Dean of the College, the Dean of Studies, and the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs to ensure the overall success of the program. The successful candidate will have a strong academic and administrative background, demonstrated success in programming and imaginative leadership; have a strong interest in general education, and be an effective communicator with an intellectual generosity that exceeds disciplinary boundaries. Experience with budgeting and personnel management is necessary.

Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• With the Dean of the College, the Dean of Studies, the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, and the Center for Civic Engagement to create a schedule that includes all necessary components of both an academic and orientation program for incoming first year students based on its current August program model
• Oversee Program budget and expenditures
• Organize, plan, and execute robust recruitment activities in consultation with the Dean of the College, the Director of IWT, and other college programs and offices
• In consultation with the College and Language and Thinking faculty create a challenging and rewarding academic component of the Program that introduces first-year students to an interdisciplinary approach to learning through a diverse range of texts (collected in an anthology) and writing and reading-rich activities that prepare students for collegiate study
• With DOSA and the Center for Civic Engagement ensure that the social and civic activities both support and complement the academic curriculum and student orientation
• With the Associate Deans of the College and the Dean of Inclusive Excellence, offer faculty support through inclusive pedagogies and ongoing development and refinement of the program curriculum
• Actively engage in Institute for Writing and Thinking programming and promote the Language and Thinking Program throughout Bard network
• This faculty position will entail teaching two or three courses in area of expertise each year

• Terminal Degree required; PhD. preferred
• Experience with Writing Across the Curriculum or Writing Studies is encouraged

Skills:

• Excellent training and facilitation skills
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate across multiple offices and student groups
• Knowledge of project management
• Demonstrated ability to implement new initiatives
• Experience working with senior leadership
• Knowledge and experience in developing signature programs
• Excellent organization and communication skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• Manage finances effectively
• Considerable experience with training and support of personnel

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, CV, three reference letters, writing sample and teaching evaluations to Interfolio.

Compensation: $87,000 - $90,000

This salary range reflects the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Benefits Overview:

We are pleased to offer our full-time employees an excellent benefit package which includes; multiple heath insurance options; TIAA retirement plans; generous vacation, sick, and personal time; and more. To learn more about employee benefits and eligibility at Bard College, please visit https://www.bard.edu/humanresources/benefits/.

About Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Bard:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Bard seeks to materialize our commitment to plurality, dialogue, and rigorous study. We strive to create a learning environment that upholds the College's mission to meaningfully include the voices, works, and ideas of communities and cultures historically marginalized in liberal arts and sciences education. DEI at Bard aims to work at the systemic as well as the interpersonal level to address the implicit and explicit ways racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and religious discrimination impact the learning process.

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

About Bard College

Building on a 150-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College's mission has expanded across the country, around the world, and to meet broader student needs.Now, approximately 2,000 undergraduates study in Annandale and more than 200 graduate students study in Bard programs, plus nearly 1,000 students in our early colleges. Total enrollment for Bard College and its global affiliates is approximately 5,000 students. The undergraduate program at our main campus in the Hudson River Valley of upstate New York retains a reputation for scholarly excellence and civic engagement. We are committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow's thought leaders.

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