Founding Program Director, Aviation

Texas A&M University System•Victoria, TX

44d•Onsite

About The Position

Texas A&M University–Victoria seeks a full-time, 12-month faculty member for an appointment as a tenure-track Associate or Full Professor or a non-tenure-track Professor of Practice to serve as the Founding Director of the new Bachelor of Science in Aviation program to promote and enhance the degree and teach within the program. Aviation is a new Bachelor of Science (BS) degree designed to serve the community in the Coastal Bend region of Texas. The Founding Director will serve as a primary point of contact for Texas A&M University-Victoria (A&M-Victoria), with a primary focus on developing and supporting the BS in Aviation. The Aviation Science Program offers Professional Pilot and Aviation Management pathways. Flight training through a contracted provider will be conducted at the Victoria Regional Airport. The Founding Director will be employed by A&M-Victoria and will teach face-to-face courses within the University’s academic programs. Victoria is about two hours driving time from Houston, Corpus Christi, Austin, and San Antonio. The Victoria region offers great flying weather throughout the year, Class D airspace, a tower-controlled airport, and vast airspace for flight training. The Founding Program Director reports to Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Science, working within the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences, and has both administrative and instructional responsibilities, which may include classroom, flight, or ground school instruction. The proportions of each will be negotiated upon hire.

Requirements

Earned master’s degree in aviation or an equivalent degree or relevant field.
Relevant industry experience in aviation and/or flight operations and aviation management is expected (e.g., service as a commercial or military pilot).
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instrument and single-engine land or multi-engine land commercial pilot ratings.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage professional, community, industry, and student audiences.
Ability to plan and implement activities that increase the visibility and profile of the A&M-Victoria Agribusiness concentration within the regional community and agricultural industry.
Demonstrated commitment to supporting and working effectively with students from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a flight and/or ground school instructor.
Previous classroom teaching experience in a higher education setting.
Single-engine land and multi-engine land pilot ratings.
CFI/Instrument rating.

Responsibilities

Plan and direct all aspects of the aviation program including curriculum development, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulatory compliance, flight operations, scheduling, and accreditation.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the College’s policies and applicable laws.
Oversee all operations of the aviation degree program including the flight training contractor.
Teach courses within the aviation program, including ground school and other subjects as appropriate. Teaching assignments will include face-to-face classes in Victoria, Texas.
Plan and conduct activities that raise the profile of the A&M-Victoria Aviation Science Program within the community and industry.
Actively participate in student recruitment and coordinating with the Division of Enrollment Management to develop recruiting material.
Facilitate mentoring for aviation students with industry professionals and fostering graduate placement.
Identify resource requirements and managing Aviation Program budgets.
Oversee compliance with Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) requirements.
Supervise and administer Aviation Program extra-curricular activities and engage with professional organizations, including the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA).
Perform other duties as may be assigned.