Learning Innovation Specialist

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Learning Innovation Specialist promotes learning by playing a pivotal role in supporting faculty development initiatives that enhance teaching and learning experiences across the institution. Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Online Faculty Recruitment and Development, this entry-level position will focus on supporting faculty as they implement and assess effective learning strategies and technologies in their courses. In coordination with the Assistant Dean, the Learning Innovation Specialist will provide individual consultation for faculty members. Additionally, the Learning Innovation Specialist will assist in the development and assessment of an ongoing menu of faculty development offerings.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Faculty Development:
    • Collaborate with faculty members to assess their professional development needs related to teaching and learning.
    • Design and deliver faculty development workshops, training sessions, and one-on-one consultations to help faculty develop effective teaching strategies.
    • Foster a culture of continuous improvement in teaching practices by remaining up-to-date with emerging trends and best practices in educational technology.
    • Monitor reports related to instruction in online courses and provide coaching.
    • In coordination with the Assistant Dean, assist in the hiring and staffing of qualified online faculty members.
    • Promote a community of practice among faculty members to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration.
  • Research Development and Evaluation:
    • Conduct research on effective teaching and learning strategies, including the assessment of their impact on student success.
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of faculty development programs and initiatives through data collection and analysis.
    • Collaborate with faculty to develop and refine assessment methods to measure student learning and program effectiveness.
    • Create and curate a repository of resources, including instructional guides, templates, and best practices, to support faculty development.
    • Develop and maintain an online platform for faculty to access resources and participate in professional development activities.

Core Competencies:

  1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Master's in Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology, or a related field. Doctorate preferred.

Experience:

  • 3-5 years of teaching experience in higher education, including experience teaching asynchronous online courses.
  • Experience in faculty development or instructional design in a higher education setting is preferred.

Skills:

  • Awareness of pedagogical theories and practices.
  • Experience with educational technology tools and platforms.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and adapt to changing educational landscapes.
  • Experience with effective teaching practices for online, hybrid, and campus-based programs.
  • Familiarity with accreditation and compliance standards and processes in higher education.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
  • Familiarity with universal design for learning and accessibility standards.

Physical Requirements:

  • Office setting, standing, walking, sitting.
  • Expected equivalency of 40 hours per week, but days/hours may vary as needed. Hybrid or work from home employment will be considered if candidate can demonstrate ability to fulfill this role effectively off-site.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.