OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create.

NOTE: THIS APPOINTMENT IS OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT OCAD U FACULTY MEMBERS WITH TENURED OR PERMANENT TEACHING STREAM STATUS.

The Faculty of Arts & Science is seeking a dynamic and collaborative academic leader to assume the position of Chair, Liberal Studies (Business, English, Humanities, Science/Technology/Mathematics, and Social Sciences program areas). In addition to the duties as program Chair, the successful candidate will teach courses in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

The Liberal Studies program offers a vibrant array of courses in the humanities, social sciences, science and entrepreneurship as well as the opportunity for diploma program graduates to return to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Design (BDes) degree. With a range of minors to choose from, such as Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation, Sustainability, English, Science, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Social Sciences, Liberal Studies challenges students to expand their intellectual interests through addressing recent scholarship, new approaches to concept and methodology and critical writing and thinking skills.

The Program Chair position will commence on July 1, 2026 and end on June 30, 2029 (3-year term) and is subject to budgetary approval.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will:

• Provide leadership in long-term program planning, including program innovation, new course development, strategic positioning within the Faculty and broader academic landscape and support the implementation of the Academic & Strategic Plan of the University

• Work closely with the Associate Dean on the development of recruitment and retention strategies, including the monitoring of enrolment projections/targets and the establishment of admissions team and criteria

• Provide service to the Faculty and University-wide governance system, as well as participate in building the University community and promoting the quality of student life and University culture

• Collaborate with the Dean and/or Associate Dean and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers to develop and facilitate experiential learning opportunities for students

• Organize and promote events related to the program

• Coordinate the review, development, and implementation of program curriculum and ensure curriculum is scaffolded in accordance with program learning outcomes

• Participate in undergraduate program reviews and lead cyclical program review teams, including the research, planning, implementation and reporting on the outcomes of the review in compliance with the OCAD U Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP)

• With the Faculty Dean, Associate Dean, and Manager, support planning and preparation of the Faculty's annual operating budget, oversee expenses, and provide periodic reports to the Dean to ensure the program’s fiscal sustainability

• Contribute collegially to a collaborative environment and to initiatives across faculties to build community

• Maintain an active scholarly research record and/or professional practice within the field of Liberal Studies

In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to:

Academic Staffing and Planning:

• With the Associate Dean and the Manager, ensure business continuity by developing annual course scheduling, faculty teaching assignments, and faculty service requests

• Manage student and faculty concerns and program operations with assistance from the Faculty Office

• Participate in the hiring of Tenure-Track, Continuing, Contractually Limited Term (CLTA), Teaching Stream faculty (TS) and Sessional Instructors

• Mentor and supervise program faculty, including advising sessional faculty and conducting teaching reviews

• With the Associate Dean, support faculty performance management processes

• Assist the Associate Dean as required with student offences under the Academic Misconduct Policy

• In collaboration with the Associate Dean, review course syllabi to ensure alignment with learning outcomes, institutional policies, government policies, accreditation/quality assurance requirements and opportunities for curriculum revision and renewal (if applicable)

Outreach and Fundraising:

• Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Liberal Studies program, and work with the Dean, Associate Dean, and other OCAD U stakeholders on fundraising initiatives and scholarly or creative leadership projects

• Provide stewardship and continuity for existing relationships with donors and external partners/projects

• Contribute to the strategic development and growth of the program and related initiatives, including liaison with the School of Graduate Studies to facilitate collaboration and cohesion between the undergraduate and graduate communities

• Actively promote program initiatives and research through events, exhibitions, conferences, and other media forums

Communication and Representation:

• With the Dean, Associate Dean, and other Chairs, communicate and consult with students and faculty about program matters and the Faculty as a whole

• Hold regular faculty and student office hours and provide monthly reports to the Dean

• Liaise with various University offices and stakeholders and participate in academic committees and University governance

• In conjunction with the Associate Dean, other Chairs, Studio Management and Information Technology (IT) Services and Facilities, support the management of facilities and allocation of physical resources; address issues arising from studio, computer, and classroom facilities to ensure a healthy and safe environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have:

• A current Tenured or Permanent Teaching Stream appointment with OCAD University

• A terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

• A minimum of three to five years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level with an established record of professional activity in a program related discipline, as well as an affinity for cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration

• An excellent record of projects, publications, and/or exhibitions at the national and international level

• Proven oral and written communication skills and organization abilities

• Demonstrated collegiality and ability to take initiative, with sound conflict resolution skills

• Understanding of the OCAD U Academic & Strategic Plan

• Experience proactively advancing decolonization, diversity, and equity in curriculum, teaching, scholarship, and creative/professional activities

• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and proven ability to work effectively and collegially with a diverse population

• Familiarity with the current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is considered an asset

**TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:**This appointment will be from July 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2029 (3-year term), and is only open to current OCAD U Faculty members with Tenured or Permanent Teaching Stream status.

**REMUNERATION:**This academic leadership role includes an annual stipend, administrative release (scheduling to be determined in consultation with Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science) and access to professional development funding.

APPLICANT INFORMATION: Applications must include the below materials as one continuous document in PDF format:

The PDF file must include the following:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), including relevant links to recent work and publications.

  • All electronic supplemental materials (journal articles, professional website pages/social media accounts, podcasts, interviews, conference presentations, etc.) must be hyperlinked in your CV in the appropriate areas.

• A letter of intent outlining the candidate’s interests in the areas of teaching, research/practice, and service to Faculty- and University-wide governance.

• A statement of teaching philosophy that responds to the profile of the position

• Names and contact information of three referees.

• Applicants are also welcome to include a digital portfolio of recent work/publications.

Any supplemental materials not published digitally can be included in candidate applications via PDF format (such as book chapters).

**Incomplete applications will not be considered.*****Please name your upload:***FirstName_LastName-JobCode

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence, addressed to Chair, Search Committee, Faculty of Arts & Science .

The review of applications will begin on April 6, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University (OCAD U) recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD U understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

OCAD U is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U's Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities*.*

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.