"Director of the Parlee Innovation Center for Science, Society, and the Common Good"

Summary and Scope of Position

Ursinus College has recently implemented APEX: Applied. Professional. Experiential, which is a learning ecosystem that integrates across students’ entire educational experience, equipping them with the skills and experiences to become forward thinking problem-solvers prepared for success in an ever changing world. As part of this development, the College seeks to hire a Director of the Parlee Innovation Center for Science, Society, and the Common Good, who will provide vision and leadership for an interdisciplinary center that connects science, the liberal arts, and society through ethical inquiry, civic engagement, and innovative problem-solving. The Director will sustain and expand the Center’s legacy in science and ethics to serve as a unique APEX Innovation Center that empowers all Ursinus students to tackle complex global and local challenges, develop career-ready skills, and explore how science and society intersect in real-world contexts.

As a campus leader, the Director will foster interdisciplinary collaboration across divisions, integrate the Center into APEX experiences, and develop partnerships with external organizations. The Director will position the Center as a national model for educating students to become innovators, civic leaders, and ethically responsible professionals.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Provide strategic vision for an interdisciplinary Innovation Center that builds on the foundation of the existing Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good and integrates ethics, civic engagement, and innovation across the liberal arts.
• Align Center programs with APEX goals in experiential learning, career readiness, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
• Foster campus-wide dialogue and engagement with ethical, social, and environmental dimensions of innovation and scientific progress.

Program Development and Implementation

• Direct and expand the Parlee Fellows program to include students from all disciplines working on societal challenges at the intersection of science, technology, and society.
• Oversee the Parlee Speaker Series, broadening its scope to include civically engaged innovators, scientists, policymakers, and artists.
• Support faculty and staff in developing new interdisciplinary courses, workshops, and experiential projects connected to APEX.
• Develop signature experiential opportunities such as ethics and innovation challenges, cross-disciplinary project labs, and collaborative design studios.
• Partner with academic departments to support (rather than directly administer) specialized STEM mentoring programs such as FUTURE, ensuring integration with broader Center initiatives.

Student Development and Mentorship

• Mentor and advise students pursuing careers at the nexus of science, society, and civic leadership.
• Support students in developing professional portfolios that integrate ethical reasoning, civic engagement, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
• Collaborate with APEX career coaches and faculty mentors to connect students with internships, fellowships, and postgraduate opportunities.
• Embed global-local perspectives into student experiences, including opportunities for international and domestic career exploration that link science, ethics, and innovation.

Campus and Community Engagement

• Convene interdisciplinary faculty teams to create courses and projects addressing societal problems.
• Collaborate with campus partners to integrate responsible innovation into APEX career communities and experiential learning week.
• Build partnerships with research institutes, policy organizations, NGOs, arts collaboratives, and civic initiatives.
• Represent the Center in regional and national networks on science, ethics, innovation, and liberal arts education.

Administration and Fundraising

• Manage the Center’s budget and day-to-day operations.
• Work with Advancement to secure funding for interdisciplinary projects, student fellowships, and innovation initiatives.
• Engage an Advisory Council to strengthen external visibility and support.
• Promote the Center through storytelling, marketing, and public engagement activities.

Qualifications

• Doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant field (science, ethics, public policy, science and technology studies, innovation studies, environmental studies, philosophy, or related area).
• Demonstrated expertise in interdisciplinary approaches to science, ethics, and society.
• Strong record of teaching, scholarship, or professional leadership across relevant fields.
• Experience creating or leading interdisciplinary academic or co-curricular programs.
• Proven commitment to mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to build partnerships and external collaborations that expand student opportunities.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Why This Role Matters

The Director of the Parlee Innovation Center for Science, Society, and the Common Good will transform the Center into a key pillar of APEX, advancing Ursinus College’s mission to educate students as independent thinkers, responsible leaders, and ethical citizens. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, embedding experiential and career-focused opportunities, and connecting global and local perspectives, the Director will ensure that all Ursinus students gain the skills and experiences needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.