Director of Graduate Education Programs (12-mo Faculty, Open Rank)

Description

About North ParkFounded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of over 3,200 students from around the country and the world. Located for over 125 years on the land of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes in what is today Chicago’s northside, NPU has recently been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and is committed to serving diverse populations. Elevating North Park University’s core distinctives of Christian, city-centered, and intercultural, NPU values diversity among its Faculty and is committed to building a racially and culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages the nomination and candidacies of persons who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color regardless of gender.

North Park University is located in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. It is nine miles from downtown Chicago. The North Park campus has often been referred to as an oasis in the heart of the city – a place where students from urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds alike can call home. And all of this within the major metropolitan backdrop of Chicago: one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies, renowned for its museums and music, and voted best large city in the U.S. for four years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler.

Mission

The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

Vision

Building on our core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—our vision is to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and service meet. .

Summary

The Director of Graduate Education Programs provides strategic leadership, academic oversight, and operational management of all graduate-level programs within the School of Education. This includes program development, faculty coordination, student support, accreditation compliance, and partnership engagement. The Director will also teach 3 credit hours of graduate coursework per semester and maintain a strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and culturally responsive leadership. This is a professional (non-tenure) track faculty position.

• Provide academic leadership and oversight of graduate programs, including curriculum design, course scheduling, faculty assignments, and program assessment.
• Teach 3 credit hours of graduate education courses per semester in areas aligned with expertise and program needs.
• Coordinate recruitment, advising, and retention efforts with the Office of Graduate Admissions and academic advisors.
• Serve as the primary liaison for graduate education program accreditation and licensure compliance with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and other governing bodies.
• Supervise and support graduate faculty, including adjuncts, in teaching, assessment, and professional development.
• Develop partnerships with school districts, professional organizations, and community agencies to support clinical placements and professional pathways.
• Lead continuous program improvement efforts using data-driven decision-making aligned with institutional and state expectations.
• Collaborate with the Dean and Curriculum Committee to revise or propose new courses and programs based on student needs and educational trends.
• Coordinate student teaching and internship placements with the Director of Clinical Practice and Placement Coordinator.
• Assist in managing the graduate education budget and resource allocations

Requirements

Required:

• Doctorate (EdD or PhD) in Education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• At least five years of experience in K-12 schools and higher education, including teaching at the graduate level.
• Experience with program leadership, curriculum development, and educational accreditation. \
• Knowledge of state licensure requirements and accreditation standards (e.g., CAEP, ISBE).
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching.

Desired:

• Experience with online and hybrid program development and delivery.
• Familiarity with student information systems, assessment tools, and learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Task stream, Watermark).
• Experience working with licensure programs in teacher education or educational leadership.
• Ability to mentor graduate students and support faculty development.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Prescription Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Remission
• Helwig Recreation Center