Program Chair Child Studies/Early Childhood Education (Hybrid)

JOB SUMMARY

Post University seeks a collaborative, student-centered academic leader to serve as Program Chair for Child Studies and Early Childhood Education . This position provides academic leadership, curriculum oversight, faculty support, accreditation management, and operational coordination for the Bachelor of Science in Child Studies (BSCHS) and the Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education (ASECE) programs. The Program Chair ensures program quality, regulatory compliance, faculty excellence, and strong student outcomes while advancing continuous improvement aligned with institutional priorities and workforce needs. The role includes a reduced teaching load of up to six to eight courses per calendar year , with instructional reallocation to support leadership and accreditation responsibilities. Key Responsibilities Academic Leadership & Program Oversight Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Child Studies and Early Childhood Education programs. Ensure curricula remain rigorous, current, evidence-based, and aligned with professional and workforce standards. Represent programs in school-level and university-wide committees, initiatives, and advisory boards. Collaborate with academic leadership and campus partners to support program quality and enrollment goals. Curriculum Development & Assessment Oversee curriculum development, implementation, and revision across undergraduate programs.

Ensure alignment with:

NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation Standards Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) requirements Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators Lead assessment activities and data-informed decision-making for continuous improvement. Collaborate with instructional design teams to enhance course delivery and learning outcomes. Accreditation & Compliance Serve as the Primary Contact for NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation for BSCHS and ASECE programs. Lead self-study development, reaccreditation submissions, and site visit preparation. Manage ongoing accreditation compliance, reporting, and documentation. Coordinate accreditation-related work with faculty and relevant university departments. Faculty Leadership & Development Recruit, onboard, credential, mentor, and evaluate full-time and associate faculty. Support faculty use of best practices in teaching, assessment, attendance tracking, and student engagement. Facilitate faculty meetings, professional development activities, and accreditation workshops. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing academic culture. Field Experience & Practicum Oversight Maintain oversight of practicum and field-based experiences. Ensure alignment of field placements with program outcomes and accreditation expectations. Collaborate with practicum coordinators, assistant program chairs, and external partners. Student Success & Engagement Monitor student progression, persistence, performance, and academic standing. Address academic concerns in partnership with advising, student services, and academic leadership. Support retention, graduation, and post-completion success. Engage students and alumni to inform program improvement. Data, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement Lead program evaluation initiatives. Collect, analyze, and report institutional and accreditation data. Use assessment results and stakeholder feedback to drive program enhancement. Community & External Engagement Serve as liaison to state and regional organizations (e.g., OEC, ECHEC). Coordinate advisory board meetings and external stakeholder engagement. Teaching Responsibilities Teach Child Studies and/or Early Childhood Education courses annually. Demonstrate effective integration of instructional technologies.

Minimum Qualifications & Competencies:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. Required Qualifications Doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Studies, or a closely related field Minimum of five (5) years of advanced professional experience in early childhood education (birth-age 8) Minimum of five (5) years of higher education teaching and curriculum development experience, including online instruction Demonstrated experience with: NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation Assessment and data-informed continuous improvement Strong leadership, collaboration, communication, and organizational skills Preferred Qualifications Higher education faculty supervisor experience Work Environment Academic and office-based setting Hybrid/remote-friendly, with regular on-campus presence required Reasonable accommodations available for qualified individuals with disabilities