Global Village - Learning Community Coordinator Application is now available!

Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009

DOUGLASS RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE

GLOBAL VILLAGE

LEARNING COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

APPLICATION 2009-2010

Description of Learning Community Coordinator Position

The Global Village is a living learning community that seeks to develop language skills, inter-cultural appreciation, global awareness and a sense of community among undergraduate women at Rutgers University. This unique residential environment combines curricular and co-curricular activities designed to enhance each student’s overall college experience. Global Village residents live in themed “houses” in Jameson Hall at Douglass College and take courses related to their theme in residence. Click here for application. Deadline: May 1, 2009.

The Global Village will consist of the following houses for 2009-2010:

Language Houses

French Language House

Spanish Language House

Special Interest Houses

Mid-East Coexistence House

Human Rights House

LEAD House

Women and Entrepreneurial Business House

Cultural Houses

Africana House

East Asian House

Global Village. Learning Community Coordinators enhance the undergraduate experience of their students by living in residence and serving as teachers, mentors, and leaders of the community. Through an in-house credit-bearing course, culture-related programs and activities, and informal interactions, the Learning Community Coordinator works to provide a unique living-learning experience for house residents. The Coordinator position is open to all women graduate students at Rutgers.

Learning Community Coordinators are awarded a $4200 stipend for the academic year, as well as room and board.

The responsibilities of a Learning Community Coordinator are outlined below:

1) Providing Academic Instruction. The Global Village offers students a unique setting for a living-learning residential experience. A major component of this experience is an in-house class, taught and designed by the Learning Community Coordinator. The class is meant to expose residents to the theme of the house, and to enhance students' understanding of the multi-faceted global community. Specific responsibilities include:

· Developing and teaching a 1.5 credit course each semester relevant to the theme of the house (held Mondays from 7:15-8:35);

· Submitting course syllabus to Director of Global Programs for approval each semester;

· Assuring that all residents are registered for the house course and 3 credit linked course;

· Evaluating student performance and reviewing this performance with each student as an opportunity to encourage individual development;

· Posting and maintaining office hours (1 per week);

· Conducting course and instructor evaluations at the end of each semester;

· For houses that have a language component: implementing strategies that assist and encourage students to improve their listening, speaking and writing skills, and providing regular opportunity for communicating in the language of the house.

2) Enhancing Students' Educational Experiences. Living in the Global Village provides opportunities for learning outside the classroom and expanding knowledge both of the specific culture/language/topic represented by the house and of broader international/global issues. In addition to providing in-house instructional opportunities, the Learning Community Coordinator plays an important part in the out-of-class educational process. Specific responsibilities include:

· Serving as a role model within a multicultural residential context;

· Providing opportunities to expand the cultural awareness of students in the house;

· Planning at least two relevant programs during the year-at least one of the programs should be jointly sponsored with the Peer Academic Leader (PAL) of the house

· Collaborating with the Peer Academic Leader and the house members to plan an Open House;

· Attending Open House events sponsored by other Global Village houses (first Monday of each month);

· Being aware of residents' academic and career interests and referring them to college and university resources;

· Serving as a liaison between the academic department and the Global Village;

· Encouraging other faculty colleagues to participate in the activities of the Global Village;

· Providing information to students about relevant departmental, college and university events;

· Encouraging students to participate in travel and study abroad experiences.

3) Fostering a Sense of Community. Living in a residential community can be one of the most valuable learning experiences of one's undergraduate years. The Learning Community Coordinator plays a critical role in helping students understand their responsibilities as members of a living learning community. For the residential experience to be rewarding, each student must understand that respect, communication, cooperation, and support are essential. The Learning Community Coordinator works actively to help students accept and embrace these principles so that all students will be better prepared to meet the challenges of an undergraduate education. Specific responsibilities include:

· Assist in welcoming students when they arrive in the fall;

· Being a visible presence in the community and getting to know residents;

· Planning informal activities which help students get to know each other both in the house and as part of the larger Global Village community;

· Referring areas of concern to Residence Life staff and offering insight to the staff regarding roommate conflict, and potential problems;

· Making sure students understand their responsibilities as member of a living learning community;

· Abiding by Residence Life/Housing policies related to residing, storing personal belongings, vacating, etc.

4) Performing Administrative Tasks. Performing day-to-day responsibilities, completing reports and forms and being efficient and attentive to detail is an important aspect of the role of a Fellow. Specific responsibilities include:

· Submitting requests for funding and approval according to guidelines;

· Accounting for funding and submitting receipts;

· Completing an annual report.

5) Working as a Team Member. The Global Village is a collaborative effort. Communicating regularly with the Director of Global Programs, the Peer Academic Leader, and other Coordinators is essential to insure that the residential community runs smoothly and effectively. Specific responsibilities include:

· Attending scheduled meetings with program administrators (monthly meetings with entire Global Village staff; meetings with Peer Academic Leader as needed);

· Participating in an Orientation Training session prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

6) Recruitment Coordinators play a key role in recruiting students to live in the Global Village. Coordinators are expected to:

· Participate in recruitment events for new and continuing students;

· Participate in selection of residents and Peer Academic Leaders (PALs);

· Work closely with affiliated departments to make their students aware of the program;

· Publicize benefits of Global Village to broader community.

Eligibility

· Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

· Area of study and/or background experience must have relevance to the Global Village house to which you apply.

· Fellowships are available to women graduate students only.

· Fellows who can live in residence will be given priority in the selection process.

Terms of the Learning Community Coordinator Position . The Learning Community Coordinator position provides awards to women graduate students at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. Fellows may also hold teaching assistantships, or graduate assistantships. Living in residence (in the provided housing) while serving as a Coordinator is preferred.

Awards are granted for one academic year at a time and conclude at the end of the spring semester. Reappointments are based on evaluation of outstanding service to the residential community of the Global Village.

Successful candidates receive a $4200 stipend ($2100 per semester), a Knight Express meal plan and single furnished room located in a private residence that consists of a common living space, common kitchen and dining room and a common bathroom (located in Jameson W on Douglass campus).

Important Dates. TBD: Learning Community Coordinator participate in training session one day during the week prior to campus opening.

Application Process Completed Application packets should include:

1) A completed application, including three essays;

2) Endorsement form from your Graduate Program Director;

3) One letter of recommendation;

4) Undergraduate or graduate transcript.

Applications are due to the Office of Global Programs by May 1, 2009.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and candidates will be contacted about the status of their application and/or to schedule an interview.