Director of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum

Position Details

Title: Director of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum 

FTE: 12-month appointment

Position Description Effective Date: January 2026 (anticipated)

Term: 3-year cycle and renewable

Reports to:  Vice Provost for Student Success, Inclusive Excellence, and Curricular Innovation, Office of the Provost

 

Position Summary

The Director of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum provides visionary leadership of faculty efforts to design and revise, implement, assess as needed:

  • University Undergraduate Core Student Learning Outcomes
  • University-wide core curriculum (and related educational requirements and policies) that foster student development of those outcomes

The primary means by which the Director fulfills this charge is by serving as chair of the Core Redesign Task Force; this will include leading and coordinating meetings and working sub-groups. In the first three years in the role, the Director leads efforts toward fulfilling the charge and outcomes of the Core Curriculum Redesign Phase III Implementation.     

The Director also serves at the direction of the Provost in related roles and on related projects, including service on other University committees. The Director will represent USF at regional, national, and international meetings on core/general education.  

Reporting to the Office of the Provost, the Director of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum works closely with School/College Curriculum Committees, Joint University Curriculum Committee (JUCC), the Student Retention and Persistence Task Force, the Registrar’s Office, Deans’ offices, and other related units to provide academic leadership and support for faculty teaching in the Core.

The primary responsibilities of the Director of the University Core Curriculum include:

  1. Providing leadership of the Core Revision Phase III Implementation and communicating University Core Curriculum Committee-led initiatives, such as the Core’s development, periodic review, and ongoing assessment
  2. Managing the revised Core, including granting waivers and substitutions for Core courses, as well as handling grade appeals, particularly for transfer students
  3. Serving as an ambassador for the Core, including coordinating with Dean’s Offices, Chairs, the CAC, School/College Curriculum Committees, and the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), meeting with faculty and encouraging curricular and pedagogical innovation and academic rigor, and communicating regularly with students on the value of the Core
  4. Collaborating with Core Faculty Fellow to implement, review, and assess the revised Core Curriculum
  5. Developing and implementing programmatic events and pedagogical workshops to support the Core as a whole, with special attention to initial year Core courses and culminating Core courses, in relation to the evolving learning needs of students
  6. Coordinating the advertisement, recruitment, development, and course scheduling for initial year Core courses
  7. Working closely with and reporting on the status of the Core to the CAC, School/College Curriculum Committees, JUCC, Deans, and other university units
  8. Developing and chairing a new revised Core review and assessment committee once the implementation phase is complete
  9. Work the the budget managers to ensure timely reimbursement and payment for Core-related expenses 
  10. Participating in and working closely with key offices to solve practical issues arising from implementation of the Core and the scheduling of Core classes
  11. Coordinating advising activities related to the revised Core in partnership with Associate Deans and conducting workshops on Core advising

The Director of the University Core Curriculum must be a full-time faculty member (tenured, tenure track, or non-tenure track) at USF. Additionally the Director of the Core must evidence :

  1. Knowledge of the Core Curriculum’s structure and mission
  2. Understanding of and commitment to a liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition
  3. A demonstrated record of successful undergraduate teaching, dedication to student engagement in academic discourse, and deep appreciation for cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration
  4. Experience with curricular innovation, ideally having developed and taught at least one course, preferably more, within the Core
  5. Experience in the integration of high impact learning practices 
  6. Ability to prioritize ongoing assessment and sustainable curricular review, as well as implement changes based on assessment findings
  7. Knowledge in areas of curriculum, budget, and program organization
  8. Strong program management and multi-tasking skills
  9. Excellent communication and supervisory skills
  10. Ability to foster compromise and consensus throughout the faculty and the colleges/schools 
  11. Understanding of the scholarly literature on and best practices in core and undergraduate education 
  12. Demonstrated experience in academic leadership
  13. Computer skills and some knowledge of web-related systems

USF’s Director of the University Core Curriculum will display a strong work ethic, a collaborative spirit, and an ability to inspire others. The Core Director will act in the best interests of undergraduate students, faculty, the institution, and its mission. Thus, collegiality and strong interpersonal skills are necessary to contribute to and lead in this important work. Highly developed organizational skills and the ability to work with diverse groups are essential. Qualified candidates should be familiar with USF’s mission, vision, and values, and possess knowledge of issues that affect higher education.

 

Application Process

Applications should be submitted through this form and must include: 

  1. A current Curriculum Vitae
  2. A cover letter that outlines interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and previous experience leading and/or serving on curriculum development committees
  3. Dean’s support letter or endorsement 

The deadline for applications is November 20, 2025. Finalists may be invited to meet with the Provost, Vice Provost for Student Success, Inclusive Excellence, and Curricular Innovation, and representatives from key groups/individuals. 

For questions, please contact Rebecca Hong, Vice Provost for Student Success, Inclusive Excellence, and Curricular Innovation at rhong5@usfca.edu.
 

Compensation

The faculty member serving as Director will earn administrative course releases (maximum 5 units per semester) and summer non-teaching assignment compensation (4 units) determined and funded by the Office of the Provost annually. Remaining teaching and service duties will be negotiated with the Director and their department chair and dean.