Director, Writing Center

Engineering a world of possibilities

Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is hiring for a Writing Center Director. The mission of the Writing Center is to holistically support students to develop their writing and communication skills. The Writing Center is first and foremost a teaching center, designed to develop better communicators so that they become more confident and articulate students.

The Writing Center Director provides direction and leadership for the Writing Center and serves as a model for writing and communication excellence across campus. This position is responsible for providing writing and communication support to undergraduate and graduate students, allowing them to become confident and capable communicators during their tenure at Mines and in their field post-graduation. The Writing Center Director works in partnership with other campus offices and programs and develops relationships with corporations and alumni to secure funding and support for programming. Directing a STEM-focused writing center requires extensive knowledge in topics related to technical writing, grant writing, thesis writing, first-year composition, and engineering education. These subjects allow the director to more effectively facilitate scaffolded support for Mines students, establish and develop programs that promote writing and communication, and develop a team of employees who can support students. In addition to these areas, the director is responsible for overseeing the budget and allocating resources, evaluating data to implement best practices, and hiring and supervising a team of approximately 15 staff and student employees. This is a full-time administrative position on a 12-month contract that reports to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Responsibilities:
 

Leadership, Strategic Planning, and Vision (35%)

• Provide leadership and vision for establishing goals, activities, and strategies for the Writing Center to prepare Mines students to be articulate graduates who are successful for a career in industry or academia
• Foster and maintain strategic relationships with various constituencies on campus to promote a campus-wide mission of improving our students’ writing and communication abilities with training and programming to holistically support the Mines community
• Continually evaluate and ensure that writing center programs are mission-driven and align with Mines@150 while using best practices for promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity
• Serve as a resource for students, faculty, and staff, as well as deans, department heads, and administrators to review and make recommendations on programs and policies related to the Writing Center and communication
• Serve as spokesperson for the Writing Center to students, faculty and staff, donors and alumni, corporate partners, and other external stakeholders
• Identify and advocate for resource allocation that supports the long-term growth of writing center initiatives
• Lead and implement strategic initiatives designed to provide scaffolded development of students’ communication skills and signature experiences at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Lead, oversee, train, and evaluate a team of approximately 15 staff and student employees each year, delegating responsibilities as needed to achieve the Writing Center’s mission and provide student support
• Establish and promote professional development opportunities, procedures, and strategies for writing center faculty, ensuring that employees are following best practices and can meet the growing needs of our student body.

Collaboration, Outreach, and fundraising (35%)

• Collaborate with Foundation staff, departments, and Mines leadership to secure funding to support existing programs and drive new initiatives for the Writing Center
• Build and strengthen relationships with Mines alumni, corporate partners, and current and prospective donors to further the mission of the Writing Center and achieve program goals
• Represent and promote Mines and the Writing Center at internal and external events and conferences
• Collaborate, support, and promote understanding of research and best practices in communication and higher education
• Facilitate faculty implementation of best practices in topics related to writing across the curriculum, writing in the disciplines, and first-year composition
• Establish and develop interdisciplinary partnerships with departments that create and promote programs or events that encourage community and long-term writing and communication development
• Represent the Writing Center on relevant committees and campus initiatives
• Deliver two courses per academic year as the needs and opportunities arise across campus

Programming, Training and Event Development and M