POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Academics for University College, the Director in this position will provide leadership for the Washington University (WU) Prison Education Project (PEP), a liberal arts degree program available to incarcerated students and prison staff in the Missouri Department of Corrections, including the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) in Pacific, MO. PEP aims to expand access to college education, opening up the intellectual rigor and critical thinking of a liberal arts education to incarcerated students. Responsibilities include curriculum development; recruitment, training, and oversight of instructors teaching in the program, management of the day-to-day activities and operations of the PEP, directing the work of the PEP Program Coordinator, working with PEP faculty committees, leading PEP development efforts, and serving as a spokesperson to convey effectively the mission and activities of the PEP to a variety of constituencies.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.   Strategy, Planning and Leadership for PEP:

• Collaborate with University stakeholders to develop a clear vision for the continued growth and expansion of the PEP; implement short and long-term program goals; continuously review the overall strategy and respond to new challenges and opportunities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the University and the Department of Corrections, including the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) staff, communicate to DOC to develop PEP’s vision for expanding access and educational opportunities for people currently incarcerated and prison staff.
• Cultivate relationships and partnerships with organizations and stakeholders working in education for incarcerated individuals, and other relevant social service roles, both on- and off-campus.
• With support from University Advancement, develop and implement a fundraising strategy to raise funds to help support the core operations of PEP and special leadership initiatives; cultivate potential funding sources, donors, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Coordinate and lead advisory groups relevant to PEP, such as curriculum committees, faculty advisor groups, and other relevant structure.

2. Program Management:

• Provide program oversight, including curriculum development and assessment, and course offerings and delivery; recruitment, training, and oversight of adjunct faculty and teaching/program assistants; development and delivery of academic programs and other services (e.g. workshops, short courses).
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and instructional designers to develop engaging, high-quality program content using innovative learning best practices.
• In partnership with the MECC; assess, advocate for, and facilitate the implementation of technical capabilities, hardware and software to support high quality, practical learning for program students.
• Collaborate with University College staff to develop, implement, and manage the MECC staff degree program.
• Provide services and support to current students to address needs and assist in facilitating efficient completion of the degree program.
• Coordinate with WU Instructors teaching in PEP to assist with orientation procedures including Volunteer in Corrections (VIC) certification process; facilitate communication between instructors and prison staff; help instructors with logistical issues.
• If administrative duties allow, occasional teaching in the program may be possible.

3.   Administrative and Operational Oversight:

• Lead and direct all administrative and operational aspects of the PEP, working effectively and cooperatively with various University offices facilitating course scheduling and student registration, generating and tracking instructional and staff contracts, making purchases and submitting required documentation, and performing other administrative tasks.
• Oversee the PEP budget in collaboration with University College and the Office of the Provost; oversee financial planning and reporting for PEP; manage and monitor revenue and spending.
• Work with the Department of Corrections (DOC), MECC, and WU Legal Counsel in revising and executing the annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU); review and process new PEP related agreements.
• Plan, schedule, communicate, and attend meetings for PEP Executive Board, Advisory Board, and PEP faculty committees (e.g. Admissions, Advising, Curriculum, Alumni Program, etc.).
• Represent PEP at various educational forums, attend on-site and community stakeholder meetings and provide updates to external partners; participate in annual conferences and statewide and national conversations related to the future of higher education in prison.
• In collaboration with the two principal investigators and the Program Coordinator, administer grant funds awarded to PEP.

4. Oversee Marketing and Event Planning:

• Draft, review, and edit content for marketing materials that promote and build PEP visibility through web, print, multimedia, and emerging communication vehicles.
• Manage media relations, maintaining media contact database and respond to inquiries.
• Oversee planning, execution and publicity for special events at the prison and on campus (lectures, colloquia, end-of-year events); collaborate with the PEP Graduation Committee to plan and execute the PEP Graduation ceremony at the MECC.

5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Master’s degree from an accredited institution and three years of related experience, or an equivalent education and experience to equal eight years.

• Ph.D. degree with five to seven years of progressive experience in prison education, with a focus on higher education. 
• Experience in prison education programs and curriculum design and assessment, with substantive background in planning, promoting, and providing services for learners in a prison setting. 
• Demonstrated leadership and commitment to supporting underserved students, to nurturing relationships and working with incarcerated, returning, and adult learners.
• Commitment to instructional excellence, faculty development, and learner success.
• Experience in fundraising and grant writing and reporting. 
• Experience creating, managing and maintaining budgets including accurately projecting and updating income from funders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate efficiently and clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships; connect and interact with empathy and diplomatically with a wide-ranging audience. 
• Strong leadership skills; ability to inspire a shared vision and promote a collaborative and supportive working environment within a team that maximizes diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, time management and decision-making skills; detail-orientation.
• Ability to establish and maintain uniform procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the program. 
• Ability to handle confidential information responsibly.

Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

We welcome all qualified applicants, including formerly incarcerated individuals. 

This position is full-time and works approximately 37.5 hours per week. 

Some evening and/or weekend responsibilities are required.

This position is in University College.  This position is for the Danforth Campus.

Moderate travel throughout Missouri, including to the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center, is required.

The hiring range for this position is $66,686 - $86,990 annually.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. Current employees applying for a new position within the university may be subject to this requirement. The screenings will include a criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

This position is eligible for full-time benefits.  Please click the following link to view a summary of benefits:  https://wustl.box.com/s/8wkhs25yssf0775x9d6nd6vqa7obpth7.

Please attach a copy of your most current signed performance evaluation (completed within the last 18 months) to your online account.  If you have not received a performance evaluation, you may provide two current signed letters of recommendation (written within the last 18 months), preferably to include one letter from either a current or recent former supervisor.  To attach these documents, go to:  My Career Tools, Add Attachment, Attachment Type – Performance Reviews or Letters of Recommendation.