Director, Master of Public Administration Program - Asst​/Assoc Prof

Position Title:

Director, Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program - Assistant/Associate Professor

Number of openings: 1 | Department/Program:
Academic Affairs 41000 |

Work Location:

Remote/Hybrid | Campus

Location:

Arapahoe Campus |

Reports to:

Dean of the Graduate School | FLSA Classification:
Exempt/Salaried | FTE: 100% (40 hrs/week) | Compensation: $70,000 - $80,000 depending on experience | Final date to receive applications: 6/1 or until filled

Naropa University seeks a full-time Director to lead the online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program. The Director provides academic, strategic, and operational leadership for a contemplatively grounded graduate program that prepares ethical, inclusive public service leaders for government, nonprofit sectors and cooperative management. This role combines program administration, curriculum oversight, faculty leadership, assessment, and teaching. The successful candidate will advance Naropa's mission to create a more just and regenerative world by integrating mindfulness-based leadership, social equity, and evidence-informed decision‑making across the MPA curriculum.

• Provide overall leadership and management of the MPA program, including vision, planning, operations, and quality assurance.
• Lead curriculum design and continuous improvement to ensure ongoing alignment with NASPAA Universal Competencies and Naropa's contemplative pedagogy.
• Oversee program assessment, including student learning outcomes, course evaluations, and annual effectiveness reporting.
• Coordinate admissions, recruitment, and retention strategies in partnership with Admissions, Marketing, and Student Success teams.
• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate adjunct/part‑time faculty; facilitate faculty development in online teaching and contemplative pedagogy.
• Manage program budget, scheduling, and resources; ensure timely collaboration with Academic Affairs, Registrar, and other university offices.
• Teach graduate courses (standard load is reduced to 6‑9 credits per year to account for administrative release time involved in program leadership and launch) in areas such as organizational management, leadership, policy analysis, budgeting/public finance, data and evidence-based decision‑making, and capstone supervision.
• Ensure high‑quality online delivery in Canvas; promote best practices for accessibility, inclusive design, and student engagement.
• Cultivate partnerships with public agencies and nonprofits to support internships, capstone projects, and community‑engaged learning.
• Support dual BA‑MPA pathway coordination with undergraduate programs (e.g., Political/Justice Studies), including advising and course sequencing.
• Maintain an active agenda of scholarship, applied research, or professional practice in public administration or related fields.
• Advance JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) commitments through curriculum, mentorship, hiring practices, and community engagement.
• Hold regular office hours; advise students on degree progress, professional development, internships, and capstone work.
• Prepare course syllabi and materials; uphold copyright and academic integrity standards.
• Participate in university committees and initiatives; represent the MPA program internally and externally.
• Stay current with developments in public administration, online education, and contemplative pedagogy; pursue relevant professional development.

• Doctorate (e.g., DPA, PhD) in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, or closely related discipline; or equivalent combination of advanced degree (MPA) and substantial professional leadership experience in public sector/nonprofit administration.
• Three years of experience with teaching online courses, using multiple learning modalities.
• Evidence of successful graduate‑level teaching, preferably in online/asynchronous formats.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and utilize student learning assessment data (KPIs) to drive curricular improvement.
• Record of scholarship in Public Administration or closely related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in academic or program leadership…