Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director

School of Design Studies 

Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director 

The Boston Architectural College (BAC) was established in 1889 and has become a non-profit, tuition-based, accredited private school of spatial design offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, and design studies. Students work, either in a professional position, in community service settings, or in a professionally mentored environment, at the same time they are engaged in course work. Degree programs and individual courses are offered in person, online and in hybrid formats. Continuing education programs are also available. 

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Dean, School of Design Studies, the Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director is a key member of the Design Studies leadership team in a 12-month, full-time exempt administrative position. While this position works most closely with personnel in the School of Design Studies, the position requires collaboration broadly with other Deans, Education Directors, Academic Affairs personnel and personnel in the College’s other departments to support the College’s mission and goals.   

Undergraduate Design Studies Degree Program Redevelopment 

The School of Design Studies opened in 2004 offering a Bachelor of Design Studies (BDS) degree with concentrations in building technology and digital media. In subsequent years, the BDS was modified and concentrations and majors were added to meet changing student demographics and to maintain course offering and enrollment efficiency as part of the BAC’s varied undergraduate programs. Enrollment in the Bachelor of Design Studies peaked at 90 students in 2013.  Subsequently enrollment declined and in fall 2022 the decision was made to suspend applications to the Bachelor of Design Studies program. 

Bachelor of Design Studies Degree

During the first six to 12 months, the primary responsibility of this position will be to investigate how to revitalize and redevelop the Bachelor of Design Studies curriculum to attract and sustain student interest, enrollment and opportunities after graduation. As part of this responsibility, the DS Undergrad Director will be expected to: 

• Investigate options for a flexible, career-oriented three-year and/or four-year undergraduate degree programs that will meet the current, competitive demands in the higher education market and meet New England Council of Higher Education (NECHE), MA Board of Higher Education accreditation standards, and other applicable requirements 

• Coordinate this investigation with the curricula and requirements in existing degree programs in Design Studies (master’s programs) and the degree programs (both bachelor and master) in the Architecture, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture Schools as well as the BAC unique Practice curriculum  

• Prepare and present options for the Bachelor of Design Studies degree curriculum to the BAC’s Academic Affairs personnel for review and feedback 

• Prepare and present options for consideration and acceptance by the BAC’s President and Cabinet and subsequently by NECHE and the MA Board of Higher Education 

Sustainable Design Program

• Manage and revise as appropriate the existing Sustainable Design continuing education certificate program 

Assuming acceptance of one or more BDS degree options, implement, lead and manage the BDS degree program as described below. 

The current thinking regarding the appropriate direction of the redeveloped BDS program is that course(s) of study should be to prepare students for entry level employment in fields related to the built environment. Nevertheless, it will be the responsibility of the position to research, evaluate and eventually propose appropriate curricular path(s) for the degree program. 

Critical Success Factors 

• Strategic vision 

• Ability to forge new ground, thinking creatively and innovatively in the face of new challenges 

• Project management skills and outcomes oriented 

• Ability to develop constructive and positive relationships across the college 

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills 

• Demonstrated emotional intelligence 

• Keen analytical skills 

• Ability to work and influence across institutional lines 

• Ability to prioritize in face of competing demands 

• Sound professional judgment 

• Confidentiality and discretion in handling student, faculty and College information 

Education Director Responsibilities 

Educational Leadership

• Serve as academic leader for Design Studies Bachelor of Degree Studies program 

• Provide a visible presence for the BDS to prospective and current students  

• Collaborate with BAC core faculty, adjunct faculty and staff throughout the College leading and managing the BDS program 

• Collaborate in strategic planning for the School of Design Studies and the BAC as a whole 

Program and Curriculum Development and Management

• Review and shape curriculum, ensure coherence and effectiveness of overall educational content of design studies programs 

• Design and implement assessment processes to oversee successful delivery and student achievement in the BDS 

• Assume responsibility for educational quality and effective operation of the BDS 

• Contribute effectively to administrative efforts to gather, analyze and publicize information about courses, faculty and scheduling for students. 

Outreach and public presence

• Provide a visible, public presence for the BDS both locally and nationally 

• Provide well-written material both to outside constituencies, such as accrediting bodies, and to colleagues and staff as needed 

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with students, colleagues, faculty and administrators at all levels of the College 

Adjunct Faculty Hiring, Oversight and Development

• Cultivate and engage adjunct faculty to teach courses in the BDS program 

• Coordinate the hiring and onboarding of new and returning adjunct faculty with Human Resources and the faculty payment process 

• Mentor and sustain adjunct faculty in their continued and effective involvement with students 

• Ensure educational quality and richness through inclusive faculty recruiting 

• Continually increase performance and effectiveness of faculty through development initiatives 

• Manage faculty performance through rigorous review, assessment, feedback and coaching programs 

Student Support

• Build and nurture student community within the BDS and the College 

• Mediate student problems that cannot be resolved at their source 

• Increase student retention and success through programs including orientation, progress reviews and support for adjunct and core faculty directly delivering coursework to students 

Instruction: Teach course or courses totaling six (6.0) credits per year. 

Accreditation

• Ensure compliance with relevant approval agencies and seek further recognition from appropriate credentialing agencies as new programs are built and enacted 

• Support efforts for accreditation of the College’s programs 

• Implement periodically Self-Study and Internal Review processes for the BDS curriculum offerings 

• Support efforts for Self-Study and Internal Review processes of the College’s programs which are subject to external accrediting bodies 

Financial Management: Develop and manage teaching stipend and program expense budget for the BDS and participate in developing and maintaining the overall College financial plan as might be required 

Participation in School-Wide Activities:

• Participate and contribute to College-wide functions and activities including, but not limited to committee appointments, student recruitment, faculty meetings, staff, faculty and student meetings, commencement and related activities, student portfolio reviews 

• Collaborate with Operations (Facilities, IT, External Relations, Publications, Institutional Advancement) and Enrollment Management functions (Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar and Student Accounts) 

• Participate in other duties, committees and projects as may be reasonably requested by the Dean, School of Design Studies, VP of Academic Affairs, and/or the President. 

Work Hours: Able to work evenings and weekends according to the College schedule 

Minimum Education Requirement 

• Minimum master’s degree in a relevant discipline, education, design or environmental subject matter with practical and/or professional experience preferred 

• Higher education teaching experience preferred.