Associate Director for Academic Planning and Learning Enterprise
The Design School
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University
Description:
We welcome applications for this important new role in The Design School at Arizona State University to support Academic Enterprise and Learning Enterprise initiatives. The Associate Director, reporting to the Director of The Design School, is a faculty position with an administrative appointment based at ASU’s Tempe campus, starting in Fall 2025. This position is open to the ranks of Associate Professor, Full Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, and Clinical Professor.
In this role, the Associate Director will coordinate and oversee Academic Enterprise initiatives, including academic programs and curriculum development, and lead initiatives within the Learning Enterprise, including development of non-degree certificates and program pathways. This position is key in driving innovative educational opportunities and ensuring alignment with strategic goals, expanding access, and fostering academic excellence across The Design School.
About ASU
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. In 2022, ASU was named a Hispanic-Serving Institution and in 2023, ASU joined the prestigious Association of American Universities. ASU is deeply committed to advancing in innovative ways while sustaining a welcoming, supportive and empowering environment for all members of our community.
About the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the largest comprehensive design and arts school in the country located within a dynamic research university focused on transformative change. Built on a unique combination of disciplines, the Herberger Institute comprises six schools: ASU FIDM, the School of Art, the School of Arts, Media and Engineering, The Design School, The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, and the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. The Institute also includes the ASU Art Museum and the ASU FIDM Museum. The Herberger Institute is committed to developing and scaling ideas that strengthen the role and impact of designers and artists across all areas of society and culture, and to increasing the capacity of artists and designers to make a difference in their communities. For more information on the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, visit herbergerinstitute.asu.edu.
About The Design School
The Design School in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University is the largest and most comprehensive school for design education, with programs ranked Top 20 in the nation. From programs in architecture, landscape architecture and industrial design to interior design, urban design and graphic design, our students master the skills and research techniques needed for their future design professions through innovative, transdisciplinary methods. Our mission is to educate future designers to shape collaborations, synthesize complexity and catalyze transformation for public good. By engaging in dynamic and ongoing discourse about the future of design education, we aim to create a school that is more relevant, collaborative and equitable. Join us at Arizona State University and be part of creating the next generation of design. For more information on The Design School, visit design.asu.edu.
At The Design School, we leverage the power of design for the public good. We are driven by our commitment to plural perspectives, the creation of value, and technological innovation. We integrate a framework of justice and ecology into our design practices. Together, we dare to imagine the welfare of our planet. We are especially interested in applicants who are dedicated to advancing the ASU Charter and realizing ASU’s Design Aspirations.
Essential Duties:
The Associate Director for Academic Planning and Learning Enterprise at The Design School will lead our work in aligning with ASU’s Academic Enterprise (https://provost.asu.edu/) and ASU’s Learning Enterprise (https://learning.asu.edu). The Associate Director will help shape initiatives, policies, and procedures to support the success of program administration and innovation in The Design School.
Academic Planning
- Curriculum Development and Coordination
- Coordinate and manage academic programs, operations and interdisciplinary integration with program heads and staff.
- Lead and manage curriculum development across programs to ensure alignment with ASU’s mission and strategic goals.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to create new degree programs, summer offerings, and flexible scheduling strategies that respond effectively to student needs.
- Strategic Advising
- Advise the Director on processes that enhance academic planning and strengthen curriculum effectiveness and integration across all programs.
- Engage closely with faculty and staff to assess and improve curricula, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and academic excellence.
Learning Enterprise
- Innovative Pathway Development
- Coordinate the creation and implementation of new educational models, including micro-credentials, certificates, and online programs, to expand access to learning opportunities.
- Lead curriculum adjustments and innovation efforts for Learning Enterprise initiatives, ensuring alignment with industry trends and lifelong learners’ demand.
- Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration
- Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify and establish educational pathways that meet emerging workforce needs.
Long-Term Vision and Goals
The Associate Director will play a key role in advancing ASU’s mission of excellence and access, helping to scale and deliver impactful design education by:
- Partnering with faculty and staff to evolve and enrich design pedagogies and promote transformative design practices that benefit education and industry.
- Broadening and elevating unique perspectives and expertise within the field of design.
Required Qualifications:
The successful candidate is required to possess:
- A terminal degree (e.g., MArch, MLA, MFA, MDes, PhD or similar) in one of the design disciplines or a related discipline. The degree must be completed by the start of the appointment.
- Demonstrated commitment to design justice in education.
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching.
- Demonstrated excellence as a researcher or practitioner in one of the design disciplines.
Desired Qualifications:
Preference will be given to individuals with:
- A doctoral degree in a design discipline or related field.
- Knowledge of principles and practices pertaining to managing a large set of academic programs.
- Successful experience in facilitating innovative curriculum development.
- Evidence of success collaborating with faculty and academic leaders in multiple disciplines with demonstrated ability to build consensus and cultivate collaborative teams.
- Knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices.
- Skill in problem-solving and decision-making.
- Skill in effectively managing, supervising, and evaluating assigned staff.
- Skill in academic program design and development.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
All applications must be submitted electronically via http://apply.interfolio.com/161938
Instructions to Apply
Please submit:
- C.V.
- A letter of interest outlining qualifications for the position, administrative experience, research interests, teaching experience and experience in professional practice.
- List of 3 references (please include name, affiliation, email, phone number)
- A portfolio of no more than five examples of service, teaching, research and/or creative work.
Application Deadline:
The application deadline is February 13, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.
ASU conducts pre-employment screening and verification for all positions, which includes a criminal background, work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
(See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
