Program Director, Ed.D. - Artificial Intelligence & Moral Agency (ShawU Divinity School)

Shaw University•Raleigh, NC

21d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Dean of the Divinity School, The Program Director provides academic leadership and day-to-day administrative oversight for the EdD in Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency, SUDS's first doctoral-level offering. This person sets the academic vision for the program in partnership with the Dean, ensures the curriculum (theological ethics foundations in Year 1, AI applications and human agency in Year 2, research methods and colloquy in Year 3, and dissertation research in Year 4) is delivered with rigor, and personally teaches, advises, and chairs dissertations within a cohort model designed for bi-vocational adult learners. Because this is a launch-phase program, the Director will also help build the infrastructure, faculty bench, and external partnerships (e.g., with AI-ethics centers and technical institutions) that the degree will depend on for the next several admissions cycles.

Requirements

Earned doctorate (PhD, ThD, EdD, or DMin) in theology, religious studies, Christian ethics, or a closely related field.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in theological or graduate higher education, including teaching at the graduate level.
Demonstrated experience advising, mentoring, or chairing graduate-level research or dissertations.
Working knowledge of core AI ethics concepts and frameworks (e.g., algorithmic fairness, bias and discrimination, accountability and transparency standards such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework) sufficient to guide curriculum and faculty hiring, or a documented plan to acquire this through certificate study.
Demonstrated understanding of, and respect for, bi-vocational and pastoral ministry contexts and the needs of adult professional learners.
Strong organizational, budgetary, and personnel-management skills appropriate to launching and sustaining a new doctoral program.
Must have a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the organization.
Vision, commitment, and experience in achieving goals and pursuing excellence is critical: ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and demanding environment.
Must have strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills; proven ability to manage multiple complex assignments with sensitivity to deadlines, priorities, and changing circumstances; demonstrated professional work ethic and positive, problem-solving attitude.
Must be able to read, write and speak fluently in English.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience outside a formal religious setting (e.g., healthcare, education, criminal justice, technology, public policy, or nonprofit leadership) that informs an applied, interdisciplinary approach to AI ethics.
Record of scholarly publication or conference presentation in theological ethics, AI ethics, or a related interdisciplinary field (e.g., in venues such as Journal of Religion and Health, AI and Ethics, Journal of Moral Theology, or at conferences such as AIES or FAccT).
Completed certificate, fellowship, or coursework in AI ethics or related technology policy from a recognized institution.
Ordination, commissioning, or comparable standing within a faith community.
Experience with online or hybrid doctoral program delivery and learning-management systems.
Experience building external partnerships with research centers, denominational bodies, or industry organizations.

Responsibilities

Provide overall academic leadership for the EdD program, including curriculum oversight, learning outcomes, and program review in coordination with the Dean and institutional accreditation requirements.
Recruit, mentor, and evaluate full-time and adjunct faculty teaching in the program; build a roster of instructors with combined strength in theological ethics and AI literacy.
Teach assigned doctoral seminars and chair or serve on dissertation committees.
Oversee admissions review for the program in partnership with the Admissions Office, applying the program's criteria (graduate theological degree, five years of bi-vocational leadership experience, GPA/equivalency standards).
Coordinate the three-year residency sequence and annual cohort colloquy, including scheduling, faculty assignments, and student progress tracking toward the 45-credit (36 coursework plus 9 dissertation) requirement.
Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective students, partner institutions, and accreditation bodies regarding the EdD program.
Develop and manage the program budget, including faculty contracts, library/AI-tool licensing, and conference or professional-development support for faculty and students.
Build and maintain relationships with AI-ethics research centers, technology partners, and continuing-education providers (e.g., for faculty AI-ethics certification) to keep curriculum current.
Represent the program at conferences, denominational meetings, and academic associations relevant to theological education and AI ethics.
Other duties as assigned.