General Education Director

SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY•Bethany, OK

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of General Education provides visionary leadership for a unified, mission-driven General Education program serving both Traditional undergraduate and Professional Studies students, advancing a shared “One University – One General Education” experience grounded in the liberal arts and Christian formation. Working closely with academic leadership, this role anticipates shifts in higher education and industry to lead meaningful curricular innovation, assessment, and continuous improvement that strengthen student learning and institutional identity. The Director stewards academic quality through curriculum oversight, outcomes alignment, assessment, and scheduling, while supporting faculty excellence through collaboration and instructional leadership across delivery modalities. With a strong commitment to student success, the role leads first-year learning communities, partners with Student Success teams, and ensures clear communication of General Education purpose, requirements, and progress. Ideal candidates bring seasoned academic leadership, deep experience in General Education and high-impact practices, a collaborative spirit, and a compelling ability to champion SNU’s Christ-centered mission and formational vision. The Director position constitutes 50% of a full-time faculty appointment, with the remaining responsibilities aligned with teaching and other faculty expectations.

Requirements

Southern Nazarene University is an expression of the Church of the Nazarene. According to SNU policy, all faculty and staff must profess faith in Jesus Christ, possess a strong personal Christian commitment and be committed to the SNU mission to make Christlike disciples through higher education in a Christ centered community.
As an institution of the Church of the Nazarene, applicants must understand and embrace the biblical principle that all people are created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect, including a belief in equal opportunity to work, contribute, and flourish without discrimination.
At least five years of full-time higher education service with effective undergraduate teaching experience, with demonstrated success in teaching General Education courses in both Traditional and Professional Studies (adult degree-completion) contexts and various modalities, including the online learning space.
A record of effective collaboration with faculty across disciplines in curriculum development, assessment of student learning, and data-informed continuous improvement.
Demonstrated understanding and application of pedagogy and andragogy, with the ability to support learning across the lifespan and through multiple modalities, including a commitment to online learning as a viable, robust, and academically rigorous option capable of supporting high-quality learning.
Ability to articulate and champion the University’s Christian mission and liberal arts commitments as they relate to General Education.
Proven leadership and collaborative skills that build trust, foster cross-campus partnerships, and advance shared goals.
Excellent communication, organizational, and relational skills.
Well-versed and experienced in first-year experience initiatives, high-impact educational practices, and evidence-based retention and persistence strategies.
Proficiency with key academic systems, including Ellucian Colleague (course scheduling) and Canvas (course design and organization).
An earned doctorate (or completion expected within one year).
Rank of Associate Professor

Responsibilities

Provides overall leadership for the University’s General Education program, ensuring unified and aligned learning across Traditional undergraduate (Trad) and Professional Studies (PS) programs in ways that embody the University’s missional and liberal arts commitments.
Provides forward-looking leadership for General Education by anticipating shifts in higher education and industry, and by envisioning, implementing, and leading program improvements or major revisions that strengthen the GE curriculum and SNU as a whole.
Works closely with the Chief Academic Officer and the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs to advance a “One University – One General Education” mindset.
Develops and maintains, with Academic Leadership, the master schedule for General Education courses (face-to-face and online), ensuring a well-organized and accessible set of offerings for students.
Collaborates with the AVPAA for Trad programs in its Concurrent Enrollment programming of General Education courses.
Chairs the General Education Committee to steward robust learning aligned with the University General Education Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).
Provides faculty with a pathway for proposing courses for the General Education Foundations and Windows categories.
Oversees the approval process for new or revised courses seeking General Education designation and manages their integration into the master schedule.
Monitors PS General Education course enrollments and collaborates with PS Student Success colleagues to create additional sections or close sections with low enrollment.
Oversees SLO alignment and assessment for the Gen Ed program.
Approves PS Student Planning Forms to ensure General Education proficiency and coursework needed for graduation.
Coordinates evaluations of transcripts for Trad transfer students and approves appropriate substitutions that align with General Education SLOs.
Collaborates with Associate VPAAs, department and program chairs, and academic coordinators to recruit, select, onboard, assign, supervise, and evaluate adjunct faculty teaching in General Education.
Coordinates with department chairs regarding full-time faculty involvement in General Education courses.
Partners with the Associate VP for Learning and Innovation to promote faculty development, innovation, and effective teaching in the General Education curriculum in all delivery modalities.
Leads the organization of First-Year Learning Communities (LC), including course pairings, shared assignments, faculty recruitment, and training.
Collaborates with the Center for Student Success to strengthen belonging and improve retention through strategic LC initiatives.
Works with Student Success leadership in both Trad and PS programs to ensure accurate and timely documentation and submission of attendance, grades, and progress reports for General Education courses.
Collaborates with PS Student Success to resolve student issues that arise in PS General Education courses.
Communicates the University’s missional and liberal arts commitments, the formational aims of General Education, and its program requirements to students, faculty, advisors, and other campus partners.
Serves as an ex officio member of the Academic Council and Professional Studies Council.
Contributes to or serves on various committees on an as-needed basis.
50% General Education and 50% other faculty related duties.