Associate Director of STEM Initiatives

Job Summary

The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), a campus-wide provider of professional development programs and services for Drexel University instructors, is seeking to fill a full-time, Associate Director position. The Associate Director of STEM Initiatives is a leadership position focused on enhancing STEM teaching practices at Drexel. This position will play a key role in promoting and supporting pedagogical interventions aimed at improving student success and retention, particularly in challenging STEM courses. The Associate Director will develop and support programs that empower faculty to incorporate evidence-based and inclusive pedagogies.
Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Teaching and Learning Center, this position requires a strong background in STEM education, DEIB principles, faculty development, and the ability to lead initiatives that promote excellence in teaching across the institution. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in both STEM teaching and professional development for faculty. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-impact educational initiatives while working collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and staff to improve STEM learning outcomes at Drexel University.
The Associate Director will also contribute to teaching and learning excellence through one-on-one consultations, facilitation of workshops and institutes, and project and program development. In addition to collaborating with the TLC team, instructors and teaching assistants, this role will also entail developing and maintaining strong relationships with other campus partners to advance teaching and learning at Drexel University.

Essential Functions

• STEM Teaching and Learning Initiatives: Develop and lead programs that promote effective STEM teaching strategies, focusing on the redesign and support of large introductory courses, and courses with historically high DFW rates. Collaborate with TLC colleagues, STEM faculty, Academic Resources Center, and other stakeholders to identify and implement interventions that improve student success and retention in STEM disciplines. Support STEM faculty in integrating educational technology and implementing active and collaborative learning methods.
• Faculty Support and Development: Organize and facilitate workshops, faculty learning communities, and discussion-based sessions focused on evidence-based practices for improving STEM teaching and learning.
• Consultations: Provide individual and group consultations to faculty (in-person and online) on evidence-based teaching practices.
• Assessment and Evaluation: Collect, analyze, and report on data related to the effectiveness of STEM teaching initiatives and faculty development programs. Use evidence to inform decision-making and continuously improve the impact of the TLC's STEM-related programs.
• Research and Scholarship: Stay informed on emerging research and best practices in STEM teaching and learning, and contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning. Share findings and resources with faculty and colleagues through presentations, publications, and other professional channels.
• Collaboration with University Partners: Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty, staff, and academic leaders across the university. Collaborate on university-wide initiatives that promote effective STEM teaching, student success, and inclusive practices in STEM education.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in STEM field
• Minimum of 5+years college/university teaching experience
• Proven experience in supporting college instructors, either formally or informally, with teaching and learning.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based teaching practices in STEM, including strategies for course redesign, active learning, and addressing the needs of diverse student populations.
• Experience in leading interactive, discussion-based workshops and facilitating faculty learning communities or similar groups.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in STEM fields.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty and staff across departments to achieve educational goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively on diverse teams.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in leading faculty development programs or workshops at a higher education institution.
• Knowledge of pedagogical interventions for addressing DFW rates in STEM courses and improving student engagement in challenging courses.
• Experience in assessment and evaluation of teaching effectiveness and program impact.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $75,200.00 - $ 112,790.00. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.