Center Director

Job no: 998671

Work type: Faculty/Academic Staff

Major Administrative Unit / College: College Of Education

Department: Educational Administration 10014014

Sub Area: FAS- Fac./Acad Staff

Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience

Location: East Lansing

Categories: Education/Training, Tenure System Faculty, Full Time (90-100%), Non-Union, Remote-Friendly

Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry. 

The College of Education (CED) at Michigan State University is seeking the inaugural center director for a newly envisioned Center for Global Education Research. This newly envisioned center will build on the College of Education’s distinguished international and global accomplishments to pursue strategic growth in high-impact global and international education research. Aligned with the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan, the Center will pursue knowledge, research, funding and partnerships to “…improve the human condition and address problems of today and to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The Center Director will be responsible for overall leadership, vision, and strategic direction for this center and oversee establishment of large-scale research initiatives and grant acquisition to further the College of Education’s commitment to the development of a more equitable and inclusive world through education.  

This college-wide search allows for the selected candidate to identify any of the College’s departments and units as their home department: affiliations with more than one department in the college and university are possible depending on the candidate’s qualifications and requirements. 

Successful candidates must have qualifications that merit appointment as a tenured full or associate professor. Candidates must have established records of accomplishment in research and teaching, as well as experience with the external funding process in support of global or international education work.

Duties 

The Center Director will establish, develop, and direct the newly envisioned center by working closely with key members of the College of Education (CED) leadership team and through interactions with Michigan State’s Office of International Studies and Programs (ISP). Along with research, teaching, and service responsibilities, the Director’s duties include (but are not limited to): 

• Establish the Center and provide the vision and strategic direction for the Center’s growth, working in close collaboration with existing faculty, staff, CED leadership, and ISP;

• Attract financial support from a diverse array of bi-lateral (such as USAID), multi-lateral, and philanthropic entities in support of high-impact global and international education projects that are aligned with CED’s and MSU’s strategic vision;

• Lead, support and collaborate on successful implementation of externally funded awards; 

• Produce and facilitate colleagues’ high-quality, timely, relevant research and scholarship in support of high-impact global and international education research; 

• Contribute to CED’s overall global and international strategy, in collaboration with other CED leaders, to support and advance CED’s vast range of global efforts, including global partnerships, capacity building, and supporting faculty, staff, and students in their related endeavors; and

• As a member of the candidate’s home department, contribute to the academic department’s teaching, advising, and service.

In support of this mission, the successful candidate will be able to leverage key features of the College and MSU, including: 

• The Office of International Studies in Education (OISE) in the College of Education supports and encourages the integration of cross-cultural perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach to prepare globally-conscious educators, researchers, policy makers, and citizens. The office has been active in a range of programmatic areas for over four decades supporting faculty, staff and students in their global and international work. The college currently maintains active presence across five continents.

• The College’s high rankings in the U.S. News and World Report: the number 1-ranked elementary and secondary teacher education program in the country; the number 1-ranked higher education program; the 10th ranked education policy program, as well as top 10 rankings in education administration, educational psychology, and curriculum and instruction. The College is also home to leading centers on Education Policy, STEM Education, Youth Sports, and Center for Services, Training, and Research for Independence and Desired Employment for underserved individuals with disabilities among others.

• International Studies and Program (ISP) is the hub for international research, teaching and outreach at MSU. As a university-level office under the leadership of a vice provost and dean, ISP supports international activities throughout the institution, working to mobilize MSU's research and scholarship, enhance study abroad and other educational programs, form and strengthen international partnerships, and welcome and support international visitors, scholars and students. 

Join Michigan State University’s Global Impact Initiative, designed to address global grand challenges and national priorities through the creation of over 100 new faculty positions in some of the most promising – and critical – fields of research.

The position requires some duties to be performed in-person and also strives to be remote friendly

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Area that contributes to work in global and international education policy and research.

Minimum Requirements

• Earned doctorate and a record of national stature in scholarly achievement in a field related to global and international education policy and practice. 

• Scholarship and research in one or more than one education system outside North America, including South Asia, South East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, or Central Asia, with attention to issues of educational marginalization broadly construed.

• Record of scholarly work commensurate with an academic position at the rank of tenured full professor or tenured associate professor.

• Record of success with significant extramural grant processes (e.g., grant writing/proposal development; acquisition of funding for global or international research, development, or implementation projects; experience with grant proposal evaluation or award processes).

• Evidence of leadership experience (e.g., managing teams, budgets, and/or project planning and deliverables).

Desired Qualifications

• Expertise in one or more of the following fields (or a related field): early childhood education; early learning and literacy or numeracy; youth education and youth livelihoods; refugee education; special education; teacher and education leader development; higher education systems, capacity building, or organizational change; adult learning.

• The position is open with respect to disciplinary background, although engagement with the field of global education policy is desired. 

• Evidence of participation in local implementation work in funded, global or international research projects as a team leader or as a team member.

• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and public speaking skills and experience with communicating research in ways that reach partners, stakeholders, and the public. 

• Record of high-quality mentoring experiences with students, faculty and staff. 

• Evidence of strong instructional ability. 

• A record of service and leadership in national or international professional associations. 

Required Application Materials

1. A cover letter detailing qualifications for this position; 
2. A statement of research and teaching interests, experience, and accomplishments; 
3. A statement of leadership philosophy that highlights the candidate’s experience leading project teams or centers; 
4. A current curriculum vitae; 
5. Name and contact information for five professional references. 

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin January 6th, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website http://careers.msu.edu

Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation. 

Questions may be directed to the search chair Amita Chudgar. Members of the search committee include: Ann Austin, Titus Awokuse, Leapetswe Malete, Matthew Wawrzynski, Bethany Wilinski, Kui Xie.

Review of Applications Begins On

01/06/2025

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

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