Director, Western Program

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Job Description Summary
The Director of the Western Program will be the academic and administrative leader of the interdisciplinary Western Individualized Studies degree programs and the Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation, providing leadership that grows the Individualized Studies academic programs and expands partnerships throughout the university and community. They will manage program faculty and staff, oversee curriculum development and scheduling, and budgets; enhance and extend alumni/ae relations and fundraise to help support the program. The Director will teach courses in the program, recruit, advise and mentor students.

Job Description
The director will be the academic and administrative leader of the interdisciplinary Western Individualized Studies degree programs and the Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation. Individualized Studies majors develop their own plan of study under the guidance of core program faculty/staff, take a set of required courses, and complete their degree with a year-long senior capstone project entirely of their own creation.  The Western Center is the co-curricular arm of the academic program, creating social impact and justice-focused programming that is diverse in topic and format for the campus and community.

Responsibilities include providing leadership that enhances and grows the Individualized Studies academic programs and Western Center programming and expanding partnerships throughout the university and community; managing program faculty and staff, overseeing curriculum development and scheduling, and budgets; enhancing and extending alumni/ae relations and fundraising to help support the program. The Director will teach courses in the program, recruit, advise and mentor students.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Required: Ph.D.; as well as accomplishments in interdisciplinary scholarship/creative activity and teaching that would warrant a tenured appointment as an associate or full professor and excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and administrative experience suggesting an ability to lead a growing interdisciplinary academic program.
• Consideration will be given to applicants with evidence of interdisciplinary scholarship/creative activity and/or teaching; as well as individuals that have experience developing/running an individualized studies program and effectively facilitating discussion and decision-making among people with diverse disciplinary backgrounds. 

Required Application Documents
Applicants should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of research plans and teaching interests, and a statement of administrative philosophy and vision for the future of the Western Program.

Special Instructions (if applicable)
Please address all inquiries to Dr. Chris Makaroff, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, chair of the search committee (makaroca@miamioh.edu; 529-2914). Review of applications will begin October 7, 2025. Preferred start date is August 18, 2025.

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Diversity Statement
Miami University is committed to creating an inclusive and effective teaching, learning, research, and working environment for all. For more information on Miami University’s diversity initiatives, please visit the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence webpage. For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.