Dissertation Director EdD in Administration and Leadership
Full Time / Salary / Exempt

WORK SCHEDULE

Hours as necessitated by dissertation director responsibilities, office hours, and other duties as assigned.

WORK SITE

Onsite Bethany Campus

Reports to

Program Director for EdD in Administration and Leadership

Department

Graduate Studies in Education and Leadership (GSEL)

Effective Date

September 1, 2022 or earlier depending on availability

 JOB SUMMARY

The Dissertation Director is responsible for oversight of all aspects of the dissertation process for each learner in up to four cohorts in the EdD program, regardless of location or modality. This person meets with individual learners during their first module and throughout the program in an effort to develop their research agenda. This person helps each learner identify committee members and serves as a resource for dissertation chairs. The Dissertation Director functions as the Academic Writing Specialist for assigned cohorts. The Dissertation Director teaches ED-7623 Research Traditions for cohorts as needed. The Dissertation Director works closely with the EdD Program Director and others as needed. Total cohort load will not exceed 4 cohorts or 60 students.

The School of Graduate Studies in Education and Leadership (GSEL) seeks to develop highly qualified leaders who contribute to their fields of study and inspire meaningful change. The EdD program currently serves more than 200 students representing diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities. The successful Dissertation Director brings diverse lived experiences and representative perspectives to provide expertise for current and relevant research topics and is culturally responsive in recognizing and honoring the uniqueness of each individual learner and engaging in diverse viewpoints to foster a supportive and inclusive academic environment.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions:

1. Maintain familiarity with current graduate catalog and EdD program dissertation policies and procedures.
2. Assist Dissertation Chairs and learners in identifying and training members to sit on each learner’s dissertation committee.
3. Guide Dissertation Chairs and learners with the theoretical framework for dissertation and creation of a timeline for each dissertation.
4. Provide guidance on research proposal structure, formatting, content, and setting clear expectations for timely completion of the proposal.
5. Actively engaged in a research agenda
6. Ensure Dissertation Chair acts as a communication center for issues related to dissertation.
7. Support policies and procedures to ensure adequate progress on dissertation is being made. 
8. Ensure Dissertation Chair is able to assist in the entire dissertation proposal process and can support each learner through the research and defense process.
9. Ensure the proper number of dissertation committee meetings occur.
10. Assist Dissertation Chair and learner in navigating the IRB approval process.
11. Serve as an Academic Writing Specialist for assigned cohorts.
12. Maintain familiarity with APA 7th Edition standards
13. Offer individual assistance, workshops, and focused class sessions on APA 7th Edition writing expectations for assigned cohorts.
14. Serve on the proposal and defense hearing committees for all assigned Dissertation Director cohorts and all assigned Academic Writing Specialist cohorts.
15. Consult and collaborate with other Dissertation Directors.
16. Consistent and timely communication with students in class and/or students in assigned cohorts
17. Organize and authenticate all documents and ensure all required university forms are completed.
18. Represent the program on appropriate committees related to the EdD program.
19. Create information videos or other communication tools for Dissertation Chairs and learners and share at appropriate times.
20. Collaborate with the Vice President of Intercultural Learning and Engagement and Intercultural Faculty Fellows to ensure cultural issues are addressed. 
21. Participate in all program celebratory events and commencement ceremonies. 
22. Attend orientation workshop and proposal workshop two times each year regardless of cohort assignment
23. Encourage learners to submit dissertation proposal and findings to national conferences and support them through the application process.
24. Perform other duties as assigned.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Review of applications will begin immediately and priority will be given to applications submitted by early July 2022. The position will remain open until filled.  Apply Online for this position at http://snu.edu/snu-careers

Required Qualifications:

• Southern Nazarene University is an expression of the Church of the Nazarene. According to SNU policy, all faculty and staff must possess a strong personal Christian commitment and be committed to the SNU mission to make Christlike disciples through higher education in a Christ centered community.   
• An understanding of the importance for diversity, inclusion, and equity
• An understanding of qualitative and quantitative research designs
• An understanding of adult learning theory
• Terminal degree in a related field from a regionally-accredited institution
• Hold or willingness to obtain a current IRB Training Certification
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills
• Positive attitude and high level of energy and enthusiasm
• Ability to work with a team in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional persistence and self-motivated work ethic
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently
• Computer/classroom technology proficiency and a knowledge of or willingness to learn Google suites
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

To perform job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Extensive reading–the individual accepts responsibility for extensive reading, analysis and editing of learner writing.
• Problem solving–the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Interpersonal skills–remains open to the ideas of others and exhibits willingness to test new processes.
• Diverse perspectives–grounded in contexts of diversity in research, scholarship, and teaching.
• Verbal communication–the individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Capacity for group presentation skills and conducting meetings.
• Written communication–the individual edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information. Possesses intermediate to advanced knowledge level of Microsoft Office Software.
• Quality control–the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.