Director of Forensic Studies Program

Department: Academic Affairs

Job Type: Full Time

Job description: The Program Director supports the stated mission, philosophies, and goals of Anna Maria College and oversees a full-time undergraduate and/or graduate degree program. Reporting to and working with their AVPAA , the program director shall make recommendations on all matters of curriculum, course assignments and faculty development. In addition to administrative tasks, responsibilities shall include collaboration with student services; program administration; hiring of faculty, course scheduling; liaison with various sectors of the college; as well as establishing and maintaining appropriate program relationships outside the institution. This is a full-time, on campus position that comes with an expectation for supporting admissions and program leadership in increasing enrollment and program growth.

Requirements:

The Director will provide oversight of all aspects of the program(s)’s operation to include, but not limited to, areas supporting teaching and learning, assessment, and recruitment.

Faculty/Staff

• Work with AVPAA to recruit, hire, and process adjunct faculty
• Conduct employee evaluations, to include providing mentoring, coaching, and corrective action as necessary to best utilize faculty/staff assigned to the program.
• Supervise and mentor new faculty – in addition, for FT faculty, work with Faculty Development Committee to assign mentors outside of the program.
• Directly supervise and coordinate, as necessary, the work and work products of those assigned to the program.
• Facilitate groups and interact with students, faculty, staff, and other parties in a collegial and effective manner.
• Observe, assess, and evaluate adjunct and full-time faculty teaching and review information provided in student evaluations.
• Write evaluation letters required by Appointment, Renewal, Promotion & Tenure procedures.

Curriculum

• Align curriculum with professional standards and program outcomes (as appropriate).
• Annual review, assessment, and recommendation for curriculum revision focused on innovation and responsive to strategic planning priorities.
• Assist Academic Support Staff with the collection of syllabi (due one week prior to each semester)
• Review, evaluate, and provide feedback (using the Anna Maria College Syllabus Template) course syllabi for all courses offered by the program each semester.
  • Confirm that the course description is the same description as in the catalog.
  • For courses with multiple sections, confirm that course descriptions, text/readings, and outcomes are the same for all sections.
  • Confirm multiple measures for assessment.
  • Confirm satisfactory student workload.
  • Forward reviewed syllabi to Office of Academic Affairs for storage.
• Oversight and development of new courses (as needed).
• Oversight and development of online courses (in collaboration with Director of Online Programs as needed).

Program Administration

• Identify current, and future, employment needs within the field as related to the program.
• Establish and oversee the assessment of program objectives.
• Oversee the process of assessing student learning outcomes.
• Assist with faculty compliance regarding attendance, grade submission, accurate degree audits, syllabus submission, posted office hours, and other ‘on time’ requirements.
• Review and sign off on students’ degree audits and Intent to Graduate Forms – forward to AVPAA for final review.
• Monitor and document work and initiatives to improve student retention and graduation rates.
• Schedule and facilitate regular Program/Major faculty meetings to include adjunct faculty if possible.
• Submit recommendations for course schedules to AVPAA – identify courses that are in person, hybrid, Zoom, or asynchronous online.
• Notify AVPAA regarding any catalog changes (catalog revisions will be due by May 1). Note: The Academic Affairs Office will be keeping a ‘working copy’ of the catalog so please submit changes as they occur throughout the year.
• Work with AVPAA to project, review, manage, and make recommendations for program budget.
• Develop network for graduate, internship, and practicum opportunities as appropriate.
• Support and contribute to grant writing initiatives and oversight as appropriate.
• Participate in Deans/Directors meetings.
• Participate in Commencement.
• Adhere to provisions described within the Faculty Guidebook and the Faculty Handbook.

 Admission / Recruitment

• Work with the AVPAA to establish program targets for new and continuing students
• Assist in identifying potential pipelines for enrollment and support outreach through Admissions with:
  • local area businesses
  • National and International opportunities
  • faculty at other colleges – articulation agreements
  • professional groups or trade organizations
  • alumni who could assistant in marketing story
• Work collaboratively with Admissions/Marketing on program messaging (to be sure they are current) for the following:
  • All Publications and marketing
  • Web site
  • Social Media
  • Videos
  • Emails
  • Blogs
• Work collaboratively with Admissions/Marketing to develop e-communication flow from accept to enroll to ensure applicant yield
• Assure faculty representation at admissions events – Open House, Accepted Student Day, and other relevant events.
• Network and establish internship/clinical/field placements that will lead to potential employment opportunities
• Participate in activities in the greater community that are consistent with the goals and purposes of the program and institution.
• Represent the program and Anna Maria College at seminars and conferences pertaining to the program/discipline.
• Participate in professional association gatherings and activities consistent with the goals of the program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctoral degree in related field with three to five years relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience; additional experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record as an effective leader with ability to create a vision and develop and implement a strategic plan.
• Creative, innovative, and passionate about education and technology with the ability and desire to adapt to new technology and the ability to interact positively with all levels of technical aptitude.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) skills and the ability to establish effective interpersonal, and collaborative, relationships with a diverse range of internal and external constituencies.
• Detail-oriented and goal-focused.
• Record of successful teaching (online and on ground) in a college/university environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience with and understanding of diversity and inclusivity issues in higher education.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work with highly sensitive and confidential information with tact and discretion. Must have a high degree of initiative, judgment, and creative problem-solving ability.

4.3 Program Director

The program director shall be a full-time faculty member at the academic institution, appropriately qualified to meet the program’s stated mission, goals, and objectives, and to provide leadership in forensic science education, research, and other scholarly activities so that students are adequately prepared for forensic science practice.

The program director shall meet the following requirements:

• Criminalistics, Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry: a minimum of a Master’s or professional degree appropriate for a forensic science program,
• at least three years’ relevant experience as a forensic science practitioner in an operational forensic science laboratory setting;
• OR earned doctorate in an appropriate discipline, and three years’ experience as an academic forensic scientist that includes appropriate educational, research, and service contributions to forensic science.