Core Curriculum Initial Year Faculty Fellow

Position Details

Title: Initial Year Faculty Fellow (IYFF) 

FTE: 10-month appointment

Position Description Effective Date: January 2026 (anticipated)

Term: 3-year cycle/renewable

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

 

Position Summary

The Core Curriculum Initial Year Faculty Fellow (IYFF) will work closely with the Director of the Core Curriculum to design professional development opportunities for faculty interested in teaching in the Initial Year Core Curriculum Courses. The IYFF will support faculty in developing learning outcomes aligned with Core Curriculum goals, revising existing courses, and developing new courses that align with the goals of the Initial Year Core curriculum of enhancing and enriching the initial year experience. The IYFF serves as the assistant chair of the Core Redesign Task Force; this will include leading and coordinating several working sub-groups.    

The Initial Year Faculty Fellow will play a key role in shaping the foundational academic experience for initial-year students by integrating best practices in student engagement, interdisciplinary learning, community engaged learning, and innovative and inclusive pedagogy. Through collaborative course design, mentorship, and ongoing assessment, IYFF will help ensure that Core courses are rigorous, meaningful, and responsive to the evolving needs of students.

The primary responsibilities of the Initial Year Faculty Fellow include:

  1. Providing leadership of the Core Curriculum Initial Year experience and implementing and communicating initial year core courses, review, and ongoing assessment
  2. Alongside the director, serve 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
  3. Developing and implementing programmatic events and pedagogical workshops to support the initial year Core courses
  4. Along with the Director of the Core, supporting the advertisement, recruitment, development, and course scheduling for initial year Core courses
  5. Working closely with and reporting on the status of the Core to the CAC, School/College Curriculum Committees, JUCC, Deans, and other university units
  6. Supporting the Director of the Core in working closely with key offices to solve practical issues arising from implementation of the Core and the scheduling of Core classes
  7. Coordinating initial year advising activities related to the Core in partnership with Associate Deans, professional staff advisors, and other campus partners, and supporting workshops on Core advising

Initial Year Faculty Fellows (IYFF) must be full-time faculty members (tenured, tenure track, or non-tenure track) at USF. Additionally the IYFFs 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 and community engaged learning 
  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. Excellent communication and committed to professionalism and collegiality 
  9. Strong program management and multi-tasking skills
  10. Understanding of the scholarly literature on and best practices in core and undergraduate education 
  11. Demonstrated success in teaching initial year students and understanding of the initial year experiences of college students
  12. Computer skills and some knowledge of web-related systems

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 IYFF will earn administrative course releases (maximum 4 units per semester), determined and funded by the Provost. Remaining teaching and service duties will be negotiated with the IYFF and their department chair and dean.