Chair, First Year Experience

NOTE: THIS APPOINTMENT IS OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT OCAD U FACULTY MEMBERS WITH TENURE-TRACK OR TENURED STATUS

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we work, stand and create.

The Faculty of Art is seeking a dynamic and collaborative academic leader to assume the position of Chair, First Year Experience. This position provides important leadership for faculty and students involved in first year at OCAD U, overseeing both curricular and community initiatives. Reporting to the Dean, Faculty of Art, and working closely with the Associate Deans and other Faculty of Art Chairs, the Chair, First Year Experience initiates and implements new and revised courses and refines existing programming in line with the Academic Plan that seeks to improve the student experience, foster interdisciplinary learning and advance equity and diversity through hiring and curriculum development.  Working closely with Office of Admission, the Chair is instrumental in refinement and administration of admission and recruitment processes. In addition, the Chair will support integration of Indigenous learning through the Academic Plan and the ongoing relationships with the Indigenous Visual Culture program (INVC). The Chair, First Year Experience, draws on their extensive studio practice, research and commitment to contemporary art education and community for this role. 

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will:

• Provide academic leadership in designated program areas and support the implementation of th e Academic Plan and strategic priorities of the University, including the Diversity & Equity Action Plan
• Work closely with Associate Dean, Academic Affairs on the development of recruitment and retention strategy for
  designated programs, including the monitoring of enrolment projections/targets and the establishment of admissions team and criteria
• Convene and Chair meetings with faculty and curriculum leaders to lead the review, development and implementation of new and revised curriculum, as well as propose curricular and program changes to the Faculty of Art Curriculum Committee
• Participate in undergraduate program reviews in compliance with the OCAD U Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP)
• Provide input in planning and preparation of the Faculty annual operating budget, as well as oversee the accounts and provide periodic reports to the Dean regarding fiscal matters of the First-Year
• Contribute to a collaborative environment and initiatives across faculties
• Maintain an active research record and professional practice within the field of visual art
• Provide service to the Faculty and University-wide governance system, as well as participate in building the University community and promoting the quality of student life and University culture

In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to:

Academic Staffing and Planning:

• In conjunction with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Manager, Faculty of Art Office, ensure business continuity by developing annual course scheduling and faculty assignments in First Year.
• Oversee the work of curriculum leaders and faculty working on special projects and initiatives
• Actively facilitate the faculty hiring process by coordinating and Chairing search committees for Tenure-Track, Continuing, CLTA, Teaching-Intensive Stream (TIS), and Sessional faculty appointments
• In consultation with the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, provide input in faculty performance reviews and interviews
• Maximize the effectiveness of administrative structures and promote an environment that supports equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Faculty of Art

Outreach and Fundraising:

• Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for First-Year and work with the Dean and Associate Deans on fundraising initiatives and creative leadership projects
• Provide stewardship and continuity for existing relationships with donors and external partners/projects

Communication and Representation:

• Work with the Dean, Associate Deans and other Chairs to communicate and consult regularly with students and faculty regarding matters pertaining to the designated programs and the Faculty as a whole
• Hold regular faculty and student office hours and provide monthly reports to the Dean
• Liaise with various University offices and stakeholders and participate in academic committees and University governance
• In consultation with the Office Manager, assign and oversee the work of the Program Assistant and provide input in her/his annual performance reviews and setting of annual objectives
• In conjunction with the Associate Dean, Outreach and Innovation, other Chairs, Studio Management, and IT Services and Facilities, support the management of facilities and allocation of resources and address issues arising from studio, computer and classroom facilities and ensure Health and Safety

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must currently hold a tenured or tenure-track appointment at OCAD University
• A minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience with an excellent record of professional activity in one of the art disciplines, as well as an affinity for cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration
• Demonstrated academic leadership, collegiality and conflict resolution skills, and the ability to take initiative
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and proven ability to work effectively and collegially with a diverse population
• A familiarity with and respect for the diverse range of current issues in contemporary art and post-secondary education
• Understanding of OCAD U Strategic and Academic Plans
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and organizational abilities
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of students, faculty and staff, with student academic counselling experience an asset
• Experience proactively advancing equity and sustainability in curriculum, teaching, scholarship, and creative/professional activities
• Demonstrated understanding of the ways in which equity, Indigenous knowledge, and sustainability are fundamental to the quality of student experience, to innovative scholarship, and to art production
• Leadership in promoting a respectful and inclusive work and learning environment for students, staff, and faculty
  

Applicant Information:

Applications should include the following in PDF format:

A letter of intent stating the candidate’s interest in the position and academic administration/leadership, as well as their interest in teaching and research/professional practice.

A curriculum vitae;

A statement of teaching philosophy,

A web address or link to a digital portfolio of recent work/publications (if applicable);

And the names and contact information of three referees.

Please upload all five (5) components (including the URL to work) as one PDF. Please upload using the following naming convention: FirstName,LastName_3150. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence, addressed to Chair, Experimental Animation Search Committee online by clicking the “Apply Now” button below.

The review of applications will begin on March 25, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University (OCAD U) recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD U understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

We encourage members of designated equity-seeking groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire .

 In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous tenure-track faculty and academic administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

  OCAD U is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities

  All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.