What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Academic Programs position at University of Texas at Dallas?
Job Summary
What We Can Offer
UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer an employee-friendly work environment with a comprehensive benefits package including:
Competitive Salary
Tuition Benefits
Internal Training
Medical insurance – including 100% paid employee medical coverage for full-time employees
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Long and short-term disability
Retirement Plan Options
Paid time off
Paid Holidays
Join the Archer Center Team in Washington, D.C.!
Do you enjoy working with a dedicated team of professionals committed to educating and fostering the professional development of the next generation of public policy and public service leaders?
The Archer Center is seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative team player to serve as our Washington-based academic lead. This position oversees the academic operations and faculty of the Archer Fellowship Program, a preeminent high-impact experiential learning program serving the best and brightest from throughout The University of Texas System. This key member of our team plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational experiences of undergraduate and graduate students participating in the Archer Fellowship Program.
A successful candidate will be public service-minded and interested in the Archer Center’s mission and vision, fostering an environment that encourages scholarly excellence, innovation, and leadership development. Candidates must have exceptional verbal and written communication skills, the ability to partner with and support multiple faculty, and a proven track record of completing tasks in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will also be exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, and possess excellent customer service skills. Further, a strong candidate will be a savvy and experienced scholar, with significant real-world public policy acumen, teaching experience, and a strong Washington network.
About the Archer Center
Founded in 2001, the Archer Center is where Texas meets the world. As the Washington, D.C., campus of The University of Texas System, the Archer Center provides talented undergraduate and graduate students from across the UT System with the opportunity to live, learn, and intern in the nation’s capital. The Archer Center has more than 2,000 alumni of the Archer Fellowship Program who are increasingly taking their place in positions of influence in Texas, our nation, and around the world.
Our Mission
We educate the next generation of leaders for local, state, federal, and international service by offering varied experiential learning programs for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students from The University of Texas System.
We educate the next generation of leaders for local, state, federal, and international service by offering varied experiential learning programs for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students from The University of Texas System.
Our Vision
To develop public- and private-sector leaders who understand the federal policy-making process, are able to solve relevant policy problems, contribute to improved civic engagement and civil society, and elevate the public discourse about policy and politics.
To develop public- and private-sector leaders who understand the federal policy-making process, are able to solve relevant policy problems, contribute to improved civic engagement and civil society, and elevate the public discourse about policy and politics.
Location
This position is based in the Archer Center’s Washington, D.C., office within The University of Texas System Washington Office.
Minimum Education and Experience
Earned Ph.D in related area; minimum of five years’ of program development, research and/or teaching in related area.
Preferred Education and Experience
Preferred Education and Experience
- Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field
- Substantial professional experience in Washington, D.C.
- Strong and transferable administrative experience
- Established classroom/academic teaching credentials and strong higher education references
- Proven leadership, organizational, and communication skills
- Track record of building strong relationships with Washington-based governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations
- Candidate must qualify for an academic appointment at UT Dallas
- Experience in curriculum development and assessment
- Background in experiential learning and/or Washington-based academic programs
- Previous public policy leadership roles, with policy expertise and a deep network of Washington contacts, given professional roles on Capitol Hill, in U.S. government, or in think tanks, trade associations, or relevant agencies
Role/Essential Functions:
- Oversee the academic operations of the Archer Center in Washington, D.C.
Academic Personnel:
- In collaboration with UT Dallas and Archer Center leadership, lead the recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of faculty members, ensuring they possess the qualifications and skills necessary to deliver exceptional educational experiences to both undergraduate and graduate Archer Fellows
- Direct and support the Archer Center faculty
- Train new faculty members each semester
- Develop and communicate faculty expectations, governing policies, and protocols each semester in concert with Archer Center leadership
- Expand and maintain a network and roster of qualified Archer Center faculty and potential faculty
Instruction:
- Teach a 3-hour foundational, public policy-focused course each fall, spring, and summer term, involving direct classroom instruction and student contact hours
- Oversee the internship course for the undergraduate and graduate Archer Fellowship Program, including ensuring that the internship faculty conduct regular coaching meetings with students and provide direct student feedback; partner with the Archer Center’s professional development team who lead the Archer Center’s engagement and communication with internship supervisors
Academic Programs:
- Create specific learning objectives for all Archer Center courses
- Develop courses that will provide students with practical knowledge of the federal policy-making process and concrete work products that can become part of the student’s professional portfolio of work
- Review, create, and revise course syllabi and curricula in conjunction with UT Dallas
- Lead comprehensive and ongoing academic assessment of Archer Center curricula
- Attract nationally recognized experts as guest speakers
- Foster a supportive and innovative learning environment that encourages faculty and student engagement, collaboration, and academic excellence
Administration:
- This position will support and coordinate with approximately 12 concurrent part-time/adjunct faculty and other lower-level administrative staff.
- Serve as the academic liaison to all UT System institutions and oversee course articulation between the Archer Center and each UT System campus
- Set the academic calendar in close collaboration with Archer Center program leaders
- Advise faculty on course structure, syllabus preparation, and facilitate collaboration between courses and professors
- Lead the academic overview at student orientation
- Conduct faculty orientation each semester, in concert with Archer Center leadership
- Act as liaison to UT Dallas on accreditation
- Serve as the academic liaison to the UT Dallas Office of Conduct and Community Standards
- Facilitate annual application to the D.C. Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC) and serve as liaison to the HELC
- Create academic partnerships with other Washington-based organizations and institutions of higher education
- Maintain active engagement with professional associations
- Explore academic expansion opportunities
- Oversee academic budget
Due to the unique nature of this position, working in person is expected. This position may require night and weekend work.
Physical Activities Working Conditions Additional Information
Work Notice:
Work will be performed on-site and in person.
Work will be performed on-site and in person.
What We Can Offer
UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer an employee-friendly work environment with a comprehensive benefits package including:
Competitive Salary
Tuition Benefits
Internal Training
Medical insurance – including 100% paid employee medical coverage for full-time employees
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Long and short-term disability
Retirement Plan Options
Paid time off
Paid Holidays
All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program.
Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.
Special Instructions Summary
Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.
This position is based in the Archer Center’s Washington, D.C., office within The University of Texas System Washington Office.
Important Message
1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.
2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.
2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.
