The Department of Literacy and Learning (L&L) is one of four academic components housed in Texas Woman’s University College of Professional Education (COPE). The L&L Department in TWU’s College of Professional Education includes four (4) degree programs supporting Texas teacher certification for undergraduates, master and doctoral degrees in literacy, language, and early childhood education, and training in the prestigious Reading Recovery/Descubriendo la Lectura interventions: (1) Bilingual Education; (2) Early Childhood Education; (3) Literacy and Language; and (4) Multilingual & Multicultural Studies.

The Department Chair reports to the COPE Dean, serves as part of the COPE administrative team in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP), and acts as L&L’s representative to the broader University community. The Department includes fifteen (15) full-time faculty, eighteen (18) adjuncts, and seven (7) emeritus faculty. For more information about the L&L Department, use this link to view our web pages: https://twu.edu/literacy-and-learning/faculty-and-staff/

Position Responsibilities

The Literacy and Learning Department seeks a candidate with leadership experience who will support a productive and collaborative atmosphere, sustain an effective, shared governance system, continue excellence in curriculum and coursework, and collaborate with department faculty on community partnerships, external funding, and research. As a member of both the administration and faculty, the Chair must support the mission and goals of the department, college, and university:

● Provide students with a well-rounded educational experience focused on service, integrity, and health and well-being.

● Defend a “learn by doing” experiential learning environment to provide students with opportunities to engage in campus, workplace, and community activities that help shape their sense of purpose, appreciation for the importance of building quality personal and professional relationships, and ability to address life’s challenges.

● Engage in holistic mentoring to develop students into engaged, productive citizens in the complex world of the 21st Century.

● Develop an encompassing understanding of the balance of health, spiritual, and mental well-being for students to continue to grow and develop as scholars.

● Transform teaching and learning toward greater equity with culturally responsive programs that use innovative and reflective approaches.

● Continue partnerships with schools and communities to meet their linguistic, social, and cultural educational needs.

● Support the specialized expertise of faculty in teaching and learning of the whole child from early childhood to adolescents using growth- and research-based mindsets.

University Information

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is the nation’s largest university system primarily for women and a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution. TWU is situated approximately 30 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and is home to approximately 16,433 graduate and undergraduate students across three campuses: Denton, Dallas, and Houston, respectively. This diverse academic student community, guided by faculty, is committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. According to U.S. News & World Report (2022), TWU ranks among the top ethnically diverse institutions.

TWU operates three campuses: Houston, Dallas, and Denton. The Department of Literacy and Learning operates on the main campus in Denton. The City of Denton has a population of 140,000 and is home to two universities, an active music scene, family-friendly events and festivals, unique restaurants, and the historic Downtown Square. Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the nation’s fourth largest urban center with world-class museums, orchestras, opera, ballet, theater companies, and an array of professional and collegiate sports venues. Additional information about the University is available at http://www.twu.edu.

Essential DutiesThe L&L Chair will serve in a dual administrative/faculty capacity, representing the faculty and administration in all academic matters within a collaborative shared governance environment. The Department Chair position is a 12-month administrative appointment. A tentative date for this position to begin is August 2024. Essential duties include:

Providing visionary guidance and leadership to foster collegiality among faculty.
Advocating for all faculty, staff, students, and programs within the Department and promoting a positive team environment.
Leading and managing department personnel, budget, and resources.
Overseeing program review and course scheduling.
Mentoring faculty to meet department and university criteria.
Encouraging innovative practices that facilitate growth in stated strategic goals of the department, college, and university including increasing enrollment, scholarly production, curricular effectiveness, and inclusive practices.

Required Qualifications

● An earned doctorate in the field of education (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) from an accredited university in any of the degree programs offered by the department, or in a closely related field;

● Currently holds the rank of professor or associate professor with tenure and has the eligibility to meet TWU criteria for the rank of professor;

● An established record of scholarship in the field of education and demonstrated experience seeking and securing external funding to support scholarly activities related to teaching and learning;

● A meaningful and demonstrated commitment to supporting and working with underrepresented populations;

● Experience facilitating research-based programs consisting of faculty mentoring students completing advanced degrees, certifications, or training;

● Commitment to serving a diverse student population by being responsive to their educational needs;

● Experience teaching and leading faculty who teach in multiple modalities, including hybrid, hyflex, synchronous, and asynchronous online formats, and face-to-face;

● Demonstrated effective leadership experiences in higher education and/or EC-12 environments, including effective communication and positive academic leadership skills;

● Knowledge or experience related to state and/or national teacher accreditation programs and processes;

● Knowledge or experience with K-12 partnerships and clinical practice in teacher education.Preferred Qualifications

● Knowledge and previous experience overseeing higher education budgets as a department chair or co-chair or significant experience in an administrative role in a university setting;

● Experience working within a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI);

● Experience leading best practice expectations for recruitment and retention of students and alumni relations;

● Experience supporting faculty success;

● Experience securing and managing extramural funding and other scholarly and fundraising initiatives;

● Experience or knowledge with continuous improvement efforts in a department;

● Willingness to learn Texas education policies, performance assessments, and procedures of programs leading to initial and professional teaching certifications;

● A minimum of three years of EC-12 public-school teaching experience.

Application Process

TWU welcomes applications from qualified candidates with the knowledge and experience needed for this position. Submit the following documents uploaded into one PDF attachment at this link, xxxxxx, for consideration:

A letter of application addressing (a) your qualifications for the position stating specific information from the required and preferred areas, (b) why you are a good fit for our program and university describing your reasoning, and (c) include previous experiences leading, serving, and advocating in the field of education;
2. Curriculum vitae;

3. A list of contact information for three (3) professional references (name, address, telephone number, and email address);

We will only contact your references once the screening process is at an advanced stage. Finalists will be required to submit evidence of transcripts for all graduate degrees earned, and copies of two (2) recent research publications (i.e., journal articles, book chapters, etc.). If documentation of a minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience is possible by a finalist, submission of this evidence will be accepted at this time as well (e.g., teaching certificate, service record, etc.).

Review of applications will begin on Friday, April 5th, and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Peggy Lisenbee (plisenbee@twu.edu or 940-898-2635), Chair of the Literacy and Learning Department Chair Search Committee.

TWU is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran’s status, genetic information, or against qualified disabled persons.

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