"Essential Studies Director Search"

University of North Dakota

Essential Studies Director Search

The University of North Dakota invites nominations, inquiries, and applications for candidates to serve as the Essential Studies Director. Essential Studies is the University of North Dakota's award-winning general education program. Developed by the faculty as the cornerstone of a liberal education, the program is built to provide students with breadth of knowledge across a range of disciplines while also emphasizing student learning in critical analysis, communication, intercultural skills, information literacy, and quantitative reasoning. The program is committed to both teaching these skills and helping students understand their value.

The Essential Studies Director provides vision and leadership for this program, and advocates for excellence in general education for all undergraduate students at the University of North Dakota. The Director coordinates the program; collaborates with academic units in the development and ongoing validation of a broad array of Essential Studies courses; works closely with faculty, staff, and advisors to inspire innovative teaching and campus-wide understanding of the program; and communicates the value of the liberal arts and supports student success in interactions with individual students and the larger campus.

This position is a 12-month, on campus, staff appointment and will include administrative duties as director of the Essential Studies program (general education at the University of North Dakota). In addition to the administrative work associated with this position, the chosen candidate will be expected to teach at least one course each semester (Fall and Spring) within the Essential Studies program and/or the person's disciplinary home department/school/college.

A complete position description and detailed application procedures can be found in the position profile. Click here to see the full position profile of this search.

Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to UNDEssentialStudiesDirector@academicsearch.org. Although the position is open until filled, to ensure full consideration by the Search Committee, applications should be received by January 1, 2026. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting Dr. Gabriel Esteban, Senior Consultant, Gabriel.Esteban@academicsearch.org, 312-206-2953.

UND EEO Policy Statement
It is the policy of the University of North Dakota to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristics under applicable law. The University of North Dakota will ensure that all personnel actions, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, training and promotion, are administered without regard to these protected characteristics. All employment decisions shall be based only on valid job requirements.