Director of Community and Experiential Education

Whittier College is an independent, four-year Liberal Arts College distinguished by its small size (1600 undergraduates) and a nationally recognized liberal arts program.

Whittier College has a history of strong and innovative interdisciplinary programs and a diverse student body.

The College is ideally situated in the scenic hills eighteen miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Director of Community and Experiential Education

The Office of Academic Affairs at Whittier College is seeking a Director of Community and Experiential Education. Continuing a proud tradition of community engagement—a hallmark of a Whittier College education dating back to 1915—the Office of Experiential Education (OEE) promotes course-based, community-engaged learning in addition to faculty-student research, internship opportunities, and volunteer opportunities that address compelling community needs and integrate with the academic experience.

We seek a director to advance OEE’s mission by
1) developing mutually beneficial partnerships between Whittier College and its Southern California community to increase opportunities for experiential learning,
2) supporting faculty to integrate experiential education across the curriculum, and
3) collaborating with the Career and Professional Development Center to ensure students have relevant experiential opportunities as they explore career paths.
Whittier College has been designated an “engaged campus” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and has been namedby the Corporation for National and Community Service to the “President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction.”
The Director will oversee all aspects of OEE including short-term and strategic planning, daily operations and personnel, financial management, and external stakeholder stewardship. The Director will coordinate with the Development office on fundraising and donor stewardship. The Director’s role involves a deep understanding of community partners’ needs and developing projects in mutually valuable terms centered on student success. To this end, the Director will foster relationships among Whittier College, local government entities, community-based organizations (CBOs), arts organizations, and small businesses in Whittier and surrounding communities and work collaboratively with Whittier College faculty, staff, and students to support impactful community engagement and student learning.

Hours:

Monday – Friday
Exempt Status:
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status:
Full Time
Salary Range: $90,000-$100,000 annually;
Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to:

Vice President for Academic Affairs
Location/Department:
Whittier College (Main Campus)/ Office of Experiential Education

POSITION

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning and Assessment

Develop, implement, and assess innovative approaches for OEE initiatives that are aligned with the College’s vision, mission, and priorities and include input from diverse audiences/representatives from the communities served.
Advance relationships between the College and the community by:
1) identifying innovative community engagement and experiential learning opportunities;
2) brokering engagement requests between the community and the College; and,
3) researching and assessing activities to continuously improve upon the partnerships and quality of life in the community.
Collaborate with campus and community members to contribute to a growing body of knowledge about the impact of community-college partnerships on engaged campuses, student learning, and community-identified areas of opportunity and concern. OEE collaborates with and supports faculty to ensure these activities are integral to their scholarly and teaching efforts.

Program Implementation

Supervise OEE staff and student workers, manage daily operations, and develop and implement relevant policies and procedures.
Provide expertise and logistical support for interdisciplinary collaborations and external partnerships and the development of course-based community engagement, internships, fellowships, and other experiential opportunities to align with the…