Executive Director of the UIC Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence (CATE)

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) invites applications for the Executive Director of UIC’s Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence (CATE). Founded in 2020, CATE supports all of those with teaching responsibilities at UIC, including faculty and graduate student teaching assistants, in adopting evidenced-based, inclusive, and innovative teaching practices to ensure the success of a diverse student body from the undergraduate to graduate and professional student levels. CATE provides resources, consultations, professional learning programs, and certification opportunities to the UIC community, and partners with campus collaborators to support institutional and unit-level projects and initiatives related to the CATE mission.

The Executive Director of CATE will bring a vision for growing and sustaining this dynamic teaching and learning center by building upon its core resources and programming. They will develop and contribute to educational development programs that build capacity for, and community around, evidenced-based, inclusive, and innovative teaching that supports student success; lead a team of experienced staff of educational developers and communications and creative service professionals; provide fiscal leadership; collaborate with UIC leadership and faculty to ensure their active engagement and support; and partner with other campus units that support the learning and teaching mission at UIC, including Technology Solutions and the new Instructional Design Media Production Studio. They will build on a history of collaborative work with units across campus, have new opportunities to leverage CATE resources and programs to support the development and implementation of grant-funded educational projects, and advocate for institutional transformation around learning and teaching in ways that support UIC’s mission.

Candidates for Executive Director of the CATE must have a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree (e.g., MFA); experience as an administrator in higher education; a documented record of past teaching success; evidence of a commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education; proficiency in the use of teaching and learning technologies; deep knowledge of professional development programming, and be well versed in the scholarly literature as it relates to evidence-based teaching practices in higher education.

The Executive Director reports to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, and will hold a full-time twelve-month position, with the possibility of a faculty appointment in an academic unit at UIC, at a rank dependent upon qualifications and experience. 

UIC is Chicago’s only public Carnegie RU/VH research institution and is nationally and internationally recognized for multidisciplinary academic programs, as well as its engagement with civic, corporate, and community partners worldwide. UIC’s commitment to diversity, to the social mobility of its students, and to providing an affordable education is recognized in its national ranking among the top 45 public universities in US News “Best Colleges” rankings. Located near downtown Chicago, and within a few miles of the city’s multiple vibrant ethnic communities, UIC is in the top 5% of the most racially and ethnically diverse universities in the nation. The Department of Education has designated UIC as a Minority Serving Institution, a Hispanic Serving Institution, and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution. UIC has grown to be the largest university in Chicago and enjoys the strongest enrollment growth in Illinois with a student body of 33,747 and almost 3,000 faculty. Through its 16 college and schools, including seven in the health sciences, UIC offers an affordable world-class education to propel the next generation of leaders, innovators, and scholars.

For fullest consideration, please complete an electronic application, including a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for a minimum of three references by Tuesday, June 20th, addressed to the Search Committee Co-Chairs, Dr. Alison Doubleday, Associate Professor, College of Dentistry, and Dr. Michael Scott, Associate Professor, College of Engineering, and Innovation Education Director, UIC Innovation Center.

Please direct nominations, questions or concerns, regarding the search and/or application process to the search coordinator, Faizan Abid, fabid2@uic.edu. Confidentiality will be observed in the academic search process.

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be up to date with their COVID 19 vaccinations. You are considered up to date with vaccinations when you have followed current recommendations by the CDC, including boosters if/when applicable. An employment offer is contingent on your timely submission of proof of your vaccination being up to date. Individuals who are not able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for medical or religious reasons may request an exemption.