Executive Director of the Academy of Inclusive Learning and Social Growth

Kennesaw State University; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennesaw State University seeks an Executive Director for the Academy of Inclusive Learning and Social Growth, focusing on leading educational programs and fostering partnerships. This twelve-month position requires a terminal degree and significant experience in administrative leadership, aiming to enhance the academic and community engagement of the university.

Qualifications

• Administrative leadership with budgets and personnel management.
• 5+ years of experience with individuals with diverse abilities.
• High-level engagement with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Direct activities and educational programs within the Academy.
• Oversee curriculum and manage budgets and personnel.
• Advocate for students within KSU and the community.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Collaboration

Fund development

Education

Terminal degree in relevant field

Job description

Job Title: Executive Director of the Academy of Inclusive Learning and Social Growth
Location: Kennesaw, Georgia
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 283763
About Us

For more than 60 years, Kennesaw State University has been known for its entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State is located just north of Atlanta and combines a suburban setting on two metro-Atlanta campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. As one of Georgia's largest universities, Kennesaw State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a growing number of doctoral programs to over 46,000 students. Our high-impact research, and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and across the globe. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2) committed to becoming a world-class academic institution positioned to broaden its academic and research missions and expand its scope on a local, regional, and national level.

Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. As part of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State exemplifies the power and promise of a student-centered, research-driven university. In addition, Kennesaw State supports the University of Georgia's core values of accountability, excellence, integrity, and respect. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Kennesaw State is launching a new strategic plan in 2024-2025. For more information, visit https://www.kennesaw.edu/.

Department Information

The dynamic, thriving and rapidly growing Wellstar College transforms lives by advancing the health and well-being of individuals and communities through innovative academic programs, interdisciplinary research, and community partnerships. Our emphasis on experiential learning and real-world applications ensures in-demand workforce ready graduates. Collectively, we tackle complex health challenges locally and globally, driving innovation in clinical care, human performance, and societal well-being.

Job Summary

Kennesaw State University is now accepting applications for a full-time, tenure track faculty position as an Associate Professor or Full Professor and Executive Director of the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services (WCHHS), with a preferred start date of January 2026. Rank is determined at the time of hiring and will be commensurate with experience. This is a twelve-month contracted position that is for work to be performed in the state of Georgia.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director will direct activities and educational programs within the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth (AILSG) and provide curriculum oversight. Specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Promote the vision and mission of the University, College, and the AILSG
• Direct activities of the AILSG, including strategic planning, personnel management, budget management, community relations, and fund development
• Oversee the administration, analysis, and reporting of assessments and data required for accreditation, grant funding, and ad hoc requests
• Supervise designated staff and others as applicable who work in or interact with the AILSG
• Plan, develop, and approve schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals of the AILSG
• Direct educational programs within the AILSG, and provide oversight of the curriculum
• Coordinate education experiences across or in collaboration with academic programs in the WCHHS and other KSU Colleges
• Advise and support the Academy Advisory Board, seeking their counsel in policy decisions, fundraising, and with efforts to increase the AILSG's visibility on campus and more broadly at local, state, national, and global levels
• Represent and advocate for the AILSG and its students within KSU and to the outside community by maintaining a close working relationship with all community agencies and/or partners that offer related services and securing their cooperation on individual cases
• Develop, review, and revise the AILSG policies and procedures as indicated
• Mentor students within the AILSG, and reinforce education they receive
• Teach in the academic home department as assigned
• Enhance the research environment and grow the portfolio of external funding

Teaching assignments will be based on earned degrees and SACSCOC Faculty Credentials Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree, or foreign equivalent, in Social Work, Human Services, Nursing, Integrated Health Science, Public Health, Education, Psychology, Counseling, Critical Disability Studies, or other field related to applied health or disabilities is required.
• Administrative leadership experiences with budgets, hiring, retention, evaluations, professional development, and related activities
• Evidence of successful engagement with external partners to facilitate the mission of the AILSG as well as fund development
• Evidence of being a dynamic, visionary, and innovative leader who is also an effective problem solver and an assertive and empathetic advocate
• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal skills for communication, consultation, and collaboration
• Record of fund development (both research and donor-based)
• At least 5 years of experience working with individuals with different intellectual and developmental abilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislation and policies related to people with different abilities
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A history of established community relationships relevant to the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth
• Ability to work effectively with campus and community stakeholders, including donors
• Experience with fundraising, development, and non-profit engagement
• Experience with curriculum development and revision, as well as identification and evaluation of program outcomes
• 10 or more years of experience working with individuals with different intellectual and developmental abilities
  

Required Documents to Attach

1. Cover letter to include a statement of leadership philosophy and a summary of qualifications for the position
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts and Official International Course-by-Course Evaluations Due Upon Hire)
4. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Apply Before Date

Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, please apply by August 15, 2025.

Contact Information

For questions about this faculty opening, please contact Dr. Rachel Myers, [e-mail] and/or 470-578-2427.

For technical support or assistance completing a job application, please contact the Shared Services Center at [phone] or [e-mail].

For questions about a specific job posting at Kennesaw State University, please contact the search chair listed under the contact information section on each posting. For general questions about faculty jobs please email [e-mail].

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [e-mail].

Background Check

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.
https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf