The Education Justice Project aims to create a model college-in-prison program that highlights the transformative effects of higher education on incarcerated individuals, their communities, the host institution, and society at large. Since 2008, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has provided academic programs at Danville Correctional Center (DCC), a medium-security men’s state prison, through this initiative. We are seeking an Academic Director to oversee academic programming at DCC and any future sites.

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Duties & Responsibilities

Supervisory Duties

• Supervision – Supervise Academic Manager, program coordinators, and other relevant staff.
• Pedagogical Support – Provide pedagogical and strategic support to EJP coordinators, instructors, academic advisers, and other program members.
• Training – Oversee development and administration of regular training sessions and training materials for EJP staff and instructors based at Illinois prisons to orient them on protocols within prison.

Program Management and Development Duties

• Program Development – Enhance and support programmatic processes; lead the development of any new EJP prison education programs.
• Recruitment and Admissions – Design and implement admissions policies and procedures; oversee new student orientation.
• Student Affairs – Implement programming that enhances student growth; develop and implement systems to resolve student inquiries, issues, and support conflict resolution.
• Strategic Input – Serve as a member of the management team; assist in the development of EJP policy, strategies, and procedures.
• Evaluation – Implement systems to ensure regular evaluations and observations of all EJP programs (currently 12) based at DCC and programs at any other facilities.

Communication

• Design and oversee systems of communication between EJP members based at IL prisons—i.e. EJP staff, coordinators, instructors, other on-site members, and EJP students.
• Host regular meetings of program coordinators and other relevant staff.
• Ensure regular student body meetings at prisons.
• Represent EJP’s college-in-prison programs to external audiences.

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Physical Demands

Walking : Occasionally

Stairs : Occasionally

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Additional Physical Demands

Please note that the educational classrooms at Danville Correctional Center, which this role will have to access, are located on the second floor and that there is no elevator.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Minimum of two years’ experience working within a prison education program or similar
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a supervisory role in an educational setting
• Minimum of two years’ experience as an instructor
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Able to demonstrate deep understanding of pedagogical and logistical issues related to higher education in prison.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion within fast-moving contexts.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting incarcerated individuals and formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Understanding of the sociohistorical contexts and current conditions of incarceration, reentry, and prison reform.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive.
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Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. Salary range is $75,000 to $80,000 annually. The expected start date is as soon as possible after closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.  

Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 17, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses, phone numbers of three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact rginsbur@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

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