Faculty Chair of Community-Engaged Learning - Call for Applications

It is with great excitement that I write to solicit applications for the campus-wide leadership position of Faculty Chair of Community-Engaged Learning in the Center for Social Impact.

The ideal candidate for the Faculty Chair of Community Engaged Learning (CEL) is a tenured, full-time faculty member with deep professional knowledge and experience with CEL pedagogy.  In addition to supporting faculty in developing CEL courses, the Faculty Chair of CEL will offer professional development opportunities related to pedagogy and scholarly research designed to advance student learning and social impact through community engagement.  This candidate, in keeping with our University commitment to inclusive excellence, will be animated by a commitment to radical hospitality by engaging with the diverse knowledges, experiences, and expertise rooted in the communities and cultures with which we learn and partner.  A detailed job description and information on compensation can be found here.

The Faculty Chair of CEL plays a central part in advancing the Center for Social Impact’s (CSI) mission to connect community and campus to create high impact academic opportunities for our students that address local, national, and global challenges and develop their understanding of how we build a more just and equitable world.  CEL, one of three major CSI programs, is an experiential approach to teaching and learning.  Students develop their capacity for scholarly inquiry and make a positive social impact by working alongside community partners on projects and activities that contribute to community and academic learning goals. 

The Faculty Chair of CEL supports efforts to expand CEL courses at Fairfield University. Currently, over 45 CEL courses are regularly offered by over 35 faculty members across the College and four schools.  Fairfield University, in 2008, received the national distinction of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification that recognizes the extent to which community engagement is prioritized and integrated throughout the University.  In 2015, Fairfield University was among the first universities to be reclassified by Carnegie. The next Faculty Chair of CEL will work in partnership with the CSI team to advance Fairfield’s role as an innovative and dynamic partner with local, national, and global communities and as a national leader in academic community engagement.

I extend my deepest appreciation to Betsy Bowen, Professor of English, for her service as Faculty Chair of CEL since 2018.  Through Betsy’s leadership, CSI partnered with faculty to develop 18 new CEL courses, intentionally integrated CEL into the Magis Core Signature Elements, and worked with community partners to navigate the challenges of a global pandemic.  Please join me in extending gratitude to Betsy for her commitment and accomplishments as she continues to offer professional development and mentorship to CEL faculty through the remainder of this year.

To apply for the Faculty Chair of CEL, please send a letter of interest outlining your qualifications and vision for the position, a brief letter of support from your Dean, and a CV to socialimpact@fairfield.edu by Friday, October 29, 2021.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions about this exciting leadership opportunity.

Sincerely,

Andrea Canuel

Associate Director for Community-Engaged Learning

Center for Social Impact