INTRODUCTION

The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is pleased to invite applications for a full-time (10-month appointment, 60% teaching, 20% research, and 20% administration as Landscape Architecture Program Director), tenured faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor. The position is available immediately and will start no later than August 23, 2022.

The successful candidate will be expected to serve as Program Director for the Landscape Architecture Program (LA), provide leadership that facilitates growth of the undergraduate program and that leads to the development of a nationally accredited graduate program offering MLA and PhD degrees in landscape architecture. The successful candidate will possess a demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence and be capable of teaching introductory, upper-level undergraduate, and graduate courses that contribute to the core curriculum. Teaching duties will average three courses per academic year. The successful candidate will also advise undergraduate students and take an active leadership role in student recruiting. Teaching expertise within the landscape architecture core curriculum (graphics, theory, design, and construction) is essential. Further expertise in digital visualization, representation, spatial analysis and modeling, or another area of rapid and breakthrough innovation are valued. The successful candidate will also contribute research scholarship in their area of expertise and will have the capability of attracting external grant funding to support graduate students in their area of research scholarship. Priority will be given to candidates with scholarship in support of College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources’ (CAHNR) strategic priorities that emphasize design and planning of either sustainable communities, climate-change resilient communities, or healthy communities. Priority will also be given to candidates that demonstrate scholarship and interest to further develop the disciplinary connections that exist within Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, demonstrating a commitment to aid the UConn LA Program to continue its strong foundation and unique ties to Plant Science.

The Landscape Architecture Program offers an LAAB accredited BSLA degree and an MS degree with a multi-disciplinary focus. The program is also working to establish an LAAB accredited MLA degree. Current enrollment includes 50 undergraduate majors and a small graduate cohort. Our graduates are employed by top landscape architecture firms in Connecticut and across the country. The program is uniquely positioned as part of PSLA and CAHNR located on the UConn main campus in Storrs, CT within a short driving distance to Boston and New York City. 

CAHNR has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research and Extension programs in the years 2020-2025. The person hired for this position will be expected to make significant contributions in their area of expertise, contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s five strategic priorities:

• Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply;
• Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally and globally;
• Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces;
• Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate;
• Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices and norms.

The CAHNR Strategic Vision (https://cahnr.uconn.edu/visionandvalues) provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis. It is important to note that an essential component of the Strategic Vision is a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, and extension and addressing structural racism by broadening participation and integrating culturally sustaining approaches in all College activities. 

The University prioritizes scholarship in areas that include health and environmental sustainability, and offers significant opportunity for cross-disciplinary, collaborative scholarship in a number of areas including healthy and active communities, shoreline and community resilience, storm water management and green infrastructure, sustainable cities, landscape ecology, multi-modal transportation, and digital visualization and spatial analytics. UConn has been recognized as one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly campuses by a national publication of Sierra magazine. 

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, Urban Planning, Urban Design or a related field.
• At least one professional degree in Landscape Architecture (undergraduate or graduate). Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative skills through experience or training.
• Distinguished record in teaching, research, and service sufficient to merit tenure upon hire at the rank of Associate Professor.
• Demonstrated record of commitment to faculty development and mentoring. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Ph.D. degree or licensure in Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• Experience with the undergraduate and graduate professional program accreditation process.
• Academic administrative experience including management of budgets, personnel, and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 10-month, tenured position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2022 or earlier. The successful candidate's primary academic appointment will be at the Storrs Campus with an opportunity to support the UConn Hartford Campus Urban Design Initiative. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20309 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter that includes your vision and programmatic objectives, including how your work at UConn will contribute to one or more of CAHNR strategic priorities;,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Teaching portfolio with student work included. If your portfolio is over 10MB, please upload a document with a link to your portfolio;
• Professional portfolio with design/planned work and writing samples. If your portfolio is over 10MB, please upload a document with a link to your portfolio;
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial copies accepted)
• Names and contact information for three letters of reference.

Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than November 21, 2021. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr. Mariana Fragomeni (mariana.fragomeni@uconn.edu).  

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.