Professor and Director, School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS)

The Opportunity

The College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) seeks a dynamic and innovative leader for a 12-month, tenured professor position, to serve as the founding director for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS), a new academic unit to be introduced in Fall 2025.

The undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies program (IDS), which began in 1970, has produced approximately 15,000 alumni and graduates approximately 900 students each year.  The office offers six degree programs: (B.A./B.S). in sustainability, B.S. in environmental science, (B.A./B.S.) in interdisciplinary studies, B.A. in interdisciplinary studies (diversity leadership track), (B.A./B.S.) in leadership, and the B.G.S. in integrative general studies. The program also offers minors and certificates ranging from Leadership Studies to Geographic Information Systems.

The selected candidate will report to the dean of CCIE and serve on the college’s executive and academic councils. The director will lead faculty instructors (full-time and adjunct) and office staff. The unit’s strategic plan includes increasing the number of degree programs, developing greater collaborations with graduate programs at the university, and transitioning to a higher profile to support the university’s numerous interdisciplinary initiatives.

Specific duties include the following:

• Advance SIS as a new academic unit within CCIE, effective fall 2025.

• Provide leadership in developing the school’s mission, vision, and strategic plan to further enhance the students’ academic experiences.

• Implement and assess curriculum to develop, grow, and strengthen current and future degree programs.

• Strengthen partnerships with faculty, staff, and administrative colleagues across the university.

• Coordinate budget allocation and planning with the CCIE offices.

• Lead all recruitment activities to support the best interests of the school and supervise faculty and staff members.

• Represent SIS on appropriate college and university-wide committees related to curriculum and academic policies.

• Teach in areas related to degrees offered by SIS (load negotiable).

• Other duties as assigned by the dean.

UCF College of Community Innovation and Education is a one-of-a-kind academic unit with distinct, interdisciplinary expertise and potential for partnership with community stakeholders, conceived to address societal challenges and work alongside the community. Established in 2018, the college offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the main campus and UCF Downtown. At the heart of the college's mission is the institutional commitment to transform lives and strengthen society by developing a unified vision and innovative solutions to complex social issues. CCIE promotes innovation through state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research with social impact; contemporary inclusive teaching and learning practices; and preeminent service for the disciplines, the institution, and the community. For more information about the school, please visit the homepage at: https://ccie.ucf.edu/.

Located in Orlando, Florida, UCF is classified as a Very High Research Activity (R1) university by the Carnegie Foundation. With a diverse student body of more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country. The university offers more than 220-degree programs. UCF is committed to diversity and was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2019.  For more information, visit https://www.ucf.edu.

We seek candidates who will enhance our representational diversity and whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and working environments for our students, staff, and faculty. We hope to identify individuals who will assist in our mission to ensure that underrepresented groups have the opportunity to succeed at UCF.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution.

• Eligible for appointment at the academic rank of professor with tenure upon hire.  To be eligible, the candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research and service commensurate with the rank of professor in their primary discipline and have at least three years as a program coordinator, associate chair, department chair, or equivalent for an academic program within a department, school, or college.

• Actively engaged in research and scholarship.

• Demonstrated capacity to offer courses in areas in which SIS offers degrees.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Experience with curriculum development.

• Experience with online programs and instruction.

• Research and scholarship in areas in which CCIE offers degrees.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. 

In addition to the online application, interested candidates must provide the following materials to their application:

1. A cover letter,

2. A current curriculum vitae,

3. A list with contact information for three (3) professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search may be directed to: Dr. Wayne Bowen, Interim Dean, College of Undergraduate Studies, at wayne.bowen@ucf.edu or at 407-823-4969.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 
• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options. 
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment. 
• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.