Chair, Liberal Studies

Achieve Better Together at Guelph-Humber

At the University of Guelph-Humber, we’re focused on offering a wide range of programs and courses that contribute to the growth and development of our learners. At the same time, we offer career paths that open a world of infinite possibilities. People are at the heart of the Guelph-Humber experience. Every day we work together to deliver excellence, and in doing so, we redefine what it means to be a leader in providing an education combining theory and practice. Join us!

We’re currently recruiting for the Chair, Liberal Studies, who will oversee the planning, staffing and delivery of the general electives and common courses at Guelph-Humber. If you are interested in working in higher education and are looking to contribute to Guelph-Humber’s unique academic offering, here is your opportunity to join our team.

Job Details

Position Title: Chair, Liberal Studies

Status: Full-time

Hours per week: 37.5 hours

Program/Department: Office of the Vice-Provost

Campus/Location: The University of Guelph-Humber (207 Humber College Blvd, Toronto) located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Salary: FT Admin Band 8 $124,498 – $155,622 (under review)

Timeline: Please expect to hear from us no later than the end of September 2024.

The Chair’s Role

The Chair of Liberal Arts oversees the planning, staffing, and delivery of the general electives and common courses at the University of Guelph-Humber. Collaboratively with the Office of the Vice-Provost, the Liberal Studies Chair supports strategic directions that advance the university's commitment to liberal studies, academic and scholarly excellence.

In this role, the incumbent provides academic leadership to faculty/instructors and collaborates with chairs across the university's academic programs to offer relevant and engaging elective course offerings that meet the university requirements for a general elective. This includes ensuring courses align with the university's academic mission and explore areas of interest to Guelph-Humber students.  The current range of Liberal Studies course offerings are designed to broaden student’s perspectives, deepen their knowledge of topics outside their discipline of study, and reflect broader societal issues and challenges (i.e., Truth and Reconciliation, Climate Change, Sustainability, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). Liberal Studies courses also include Psychology, Art, Drama, Canadian Studies, Globalization, Politics, Music, Science and The Meaning of Life.

Academic and Scholarly Excellence

• Leads / participates in academic and university initiatives / events to achieve University priorities and goals.
• Teaches within their discipline expertise as per the Office of the Vice-Provost-established semester guidelines.
• Engages in other assigned academic related activities (i.e., Study Abroad, Independent Study) as per the Office of the Vice-Provost-established semester guidelines.
• Participates in scholarship through professional activities and creative contributions that advance the incumbents field of study and fosters an enhanced profile and positive reputation of the program and university.
• Participates in research or scholarly activities in the incumbent’s field of study and produces work that advances their field of study and fosters an enhanced profile and positive reputation of the program and university.
• Mentor’s students in their research endeavors and/or pursuit of graduate school or their employment aspirations after graduation.

Academic Program Management and Leadership

• Leads the development and implementation of a vision for general electives at the university that ensures that breadth requirements for students are met, and that the curriculum enables students to think critically, as well as broadening and deepening their knowledge and understanding of topics outside their discipline of study and place their regular program studies into a larger context,
• Is accountable for the overall operational planning/management of the general electives and common courses (e.g., course planning that is fiscally responsible, recommendations for instructor / faculty appointments, appropriate and consistent application of academic rules and regulations).
• Continuously develops curriculum to maintain quality and relevance through assessment, applied research or scholarly activities.
• Leads the curriculum development / revision / renewal process for courses according to established University practice and process.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality and relevancy of general electives and common course content.
• Chairs program committees as required (e.g., Curriculum Committee, hiring committees).
• Participates in University committees as required (e.g., Academic Management and Programs Committee, University Operations Committee).
• Responsible for initiatives that support student engagement and success.
• Responsible for resolving complex student matters.

Academic Rules and Regulations / University – College Policies and Procedures

• Interprets the academic rules and regulations, University of Guelph, and Humber College policies and procedures, and translates these into proposed actions.
• Communicates academic rules/regulations/policies and procedures to faculty/instructors (as required).
• Approves final grade submissions from all instructors each semester.
• Assesses and approves program related requests according to academic rules and regulations.

Academic Enrichment

• Collaborates with the Office of the Vice-Provost and academic programs to develop and promote course offerings that align with the university's academic mission, liberal studies degree requirements and are of interest to Guelph-Humber students. Liberal Studies course offerings should reflect the objective of broadening student’s perspectives, deepening their knowledge of topics outside their discipline of study, and reflecting on broader societal issues and challenges.
• Collaborate with the Office of the Vice-Provost in the delivery of Study Abroad Courses with cross-disciplinary dimensions that will appeal to all students.
• Organizes annual seminars, workshops, and presentations to advance topics related to liberal studies.
• Advances, promotes, and disseminates scholarly work of instructors/faculty and students.
• Collaborate with the Office of the Vice-Provost and leadership in the academic programs to develop and promote offerings in the areas of teaching, learning, and research and assist in the recruiting of expert presenters/facilitators for seminars, workshops, and presentations.

Human Resources and Resource Management

• Leads annual performance review(s) for direct report(s) and provides formative feedback routinely.
• Oversees and contributes to faculty/instructor hiring (e.g., hiring committee, hiring decisions).
• Recommends faculty/instructor hires to the Office of the Vice-Provost as per the established University process.
• Oversees performance of staff within assigned area as per requirements of University of Guelph and Humber College.
• Hires and manages employees that support the operations of the portfolio.

Managing Financial Operations of the Program

• Prepares annual operating budget in collaboration with Finance team at the University of Guelph-Humber.
• Is accountable for management of the operating budget, monitoring expenditures and maintaining records to ensure expenditures do not exceed available funds.
• Monitors course enrolments per semester.

Internal and External Constituencies

• Fosters, leads, and assists in university and community service activities to enhance and elevate the academic credibility and reputation of the University.
• Participates in professional associations/organizations (as appropriate).
• Acts as an ambassador for the University (e.g., external events, study abroad, establishing pathway agreements).
• Fosters opportunities for new partnerships (e.g., research collaborations, visiting professorships, exchanges).

What you bring to the role:

Education:

• An earned doctorate in in a Liberal Arts field of study or a closely related field.

Experience and Skills:

• 5 – 9 years of extensive postsecondary experience (e.g., teaching, scholarly work, coordination, administration, research).
• Demonstrated administrative capability.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically; manage complexity; lead through ambiguity; value, appreciate, and respect different perspectives and cultures; make thoughtful and informed decisions; and lead through continuous change.
• Exceptional oral and written skills.

Join us and achieve better together!

At the University of Guelph-Humber, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it! If your experience is close to what we’re looking for, consider applying and tell us why you are a great candidate for this job. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The University of Guelph-Humber is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of our students and our city. We encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples and individuals from equity-deserving groups.

Accommodation

The University of Guelph-Humber is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process and will work with applicants at any stage of the hiring process who require accommodation. This document is available in alternate formats upon request.

If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/18391. For more information, please contact Amorell Saunders N’Daw at asaundersndaw@kbrs.ca, or Bola Moradeyo at bmoradeyo@kbrs.ca.