ID | 2024-1394 | Job Locations | US-IL-Chicago | Category | Other | Position Type | Staff (Full-Time) |
Who We Are:
National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service. We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.
What We Offer:
At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Benefits.
Job Summary:
The McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University offers an exciting new leadership opportunity for a Director of Research. We seek a colleague whose research interests include a focus on the efficacy of postsecondary early childhood education teacher preparation, programming and professional development, the impact of effective early childhood leadership, and needs of the workforce. We are especially interested in qualified candidates with a demonstrated commitment and experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups, and who have a demonstrated track record of research in early childhood.
The Director of Research for The McCormick Institute for Early Childhood is a senior-level position reporting to the Executive Director of the Institute. The Director advances equity in the field of early childhood education through the development and execution of an applied research agenda that is focused on advancing knowledge of Early Childhood program efficacy as it applies to women of color who have historically been marginalized, under-paid, and unevenly or under-trained. The applied research agenda ensures that the Institute is well positioned to inform policy, advance practice, and to better understand and design innovations that can best meet the needs of a complex, diverse and multi-faceted Early Childhood Workforce, including that of leaders and administrators in the field. In addition, the Director develops, leads, and manages ECE program evaluation across the Institute, designing evaluation plans that ensure comprehensive data collection and analysis that can be used in research initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
The Director fosters collaboration among stakeholders interested in applying research to solve issues facing the Early Childhood workforce, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for children, families and communities. The Director has primary responsibility for securing funding required for research projects and disseminates research findings through publications, presentations, and other channels. The Director of Research collaborates with interdisciplinary faculty researchers from across the university, as well as program evaluators, fellows, and graduate students, helping to advance the research capabilities of the Institute and NLU. This role is pivotal in demonstrating the efficacy of practical applications, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and advocates/administrative policymakers for the field, ultimately advancing early childhood practice and informing relevant policy.
Research Leadership:
Program Evaluation:
Funding and Resource Management:
Collaboration and Partnership:
Knowledge Dissemination:
Team Leadership and Mentorship:
Strategic Planning and Evaluation:
NLU Inclusion Statement:
National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.