The University of South Carolina announces the search for the inaugural Faculty Director for the First-Generation Living Learning Community (First-Gen LLC). This position is expected to be filled by a full-time tenured professor who is a senior faculty member at the USC Columbia campus with a starting date in May 2024. The position reports to both the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and the Associate Vice President for the Residential Experience, and serves at the pleasure of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
The First-Gen LLC core functions include providing faculty-led programming and curricular opportunities, providing campus mentorship and resources, access to impactful experiential learning, and more. Students selected to be a part of this community will help to strengthen first-gen students’ self-affirmation, sense of belonging, social capital, and community. Residents will be supported by leadership development activities, community building events, and regular direct engagement with the Faculty Director.
The First-Gen LLC will be housed in Maxcy College, and serve roughly 150 students in its first year. Students from all majors are invited to join the First-Gen LLC. The Faculty Director for the First-Generation Living Learning Community will lead a program focused on supporting first generation students in their transition to becoming a successful member of the USC community. They will have the administrative and programmatic support of the staff of the First-Generation center, Resident Assistants, a Residence Life Coordinator as another person who supports the community, and additional volunteer faculty, staff and community members to enhance the LLC. The community’s purpose is to enhance, both academically and experientially, the university experience of its residents.
The Faculty Director provides the leadership and vision for the living-learning community and is expected to: act as the community’s chief academic administrator; promote intellectual exchange, leadership development, and experiential learning; support student engagement and success; encourage interaction between faculty and students; interact with the Executive Director of Housing in conjunction with the AVP for the Residential Experience; and regularly meet with the Office of the Provost and other university officials.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated:
- an undergraduate teaching record of excellence and practical experience in working with first gen students, from any academic discipline
- a demonstrated interest in first generation students
- a commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and mentoring
- an appreciation of students from diverse backgrounds and with diverse interests
- administrative, organizational and supervisory skills, as this position will supervise full-time staff
Additional responsibilities of the Faculty Director include (but are not limited to):
- Extensive daily interaction with undergraduate students (mostly in their first year)
- Attending or leading events including periodic evening and/or weekend hours
- Fiscal oversight of the LLC
- Recruitment of residents
- Staff supervision
- Connecting students to campus resources
The Faculty Director for the First-Gen LLC is a half-time (20 hours per week) position with a three-year appointment subject to renewal with agreement of all parties. As compensation, the Faculty Director will receive an appropriate salary supplement and release from certain teaching duties. Compensation will be negotiated with the Provost.
To apply, please send a letter of application (including vita, brief statement of interest, and the names of three references) to Dr. Lara Lomicka Anderson, Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, Osborne Administration Building 102. Electronic submissions can be directed to lomicka@mailbox.sc.edu. Full consideration will be given to applications received by March 2, 2024, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.