The University is seeking internal applicants for 

DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (OCE)

Application materials must be submitted to C.J. Wilkerson, cjwilker@sewanee.edu.
Applicants received by November 20, 2026 will receive full consideration.
Applicants who may have questions about the position can reach out the Dean of the College, Jennifer Cooley, jjcooley@sewanee.edu.

  1. Cover Letter
    • Recommended items to address within the cover letter include:
      • Experience working in the area of community/civic engagement
      • Experience leading a team
      • Ability to collaborate with community partners and offices on campus in pursuit of the Office of Civic Engagement's mission
  2. C.V. or Resume

The Director of OCE is an exempt position and has a regular, full-time, full year appointment.

This position reports to the Executive Director and Assistant Dean of the Center for Experiential Learning in the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences. 

Primary Function: 
The Director of the Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) serves as the head of a dynamic department with the mission of “fostering authentic and reciprocal relationships, facilitating collaborative inquiry and deliberation, integrating robust academic and civic learning, and catalyzing individual and collective action for a just and compassionate world.” The Director is responsible for the supervision of a comprehensive civic engagement program designed to bring together students, staff, faculty and communities to understand social problems and promote positive change, while also supporting the ideals of liberal arts inquiry and community. The Director oversees the following programs: community development, AmeriCorps, service internships, academic community engagement, immersive outreach programs, dialogue across difference, democratic engagement, the student pantry, and the USDA-funded summer meal initiative. The OCE Director serves as a liaison to the Executive Director and Assistant Dean of the Center for Experiential Learning and represents the OCE on various campus committees, to the South Cumberland Community Fund, and to community partners.

Typical Duties & Responsibilities

Departmental management and supervision:

  • Provides development and oversight of the Civic Engagement values, vision, mission, goals, and strategic plan, and ensures they all align with University priorities 

  • Works with the Executive Director/Assistant Dean of the Center to facilitate synergies across Center programs

  • Provides ongoing and consistent assessment and evaluation for the department, including meeting with staff on a regular basis, evaluating programs through annual planning and reporting sessions

  • Leads budget development and fiscal management for the all endowed and operational budgets for OCE

  • Supervises Directors of four OCE programs (Dialogue across Difference; Outreach/Service Away; Service Internships; Community Development), including conducting annual collaborative reviews and providing timely feedback on job performance

  • Responsible for oversight for all Civic Engagement marketing and communications, in conjunction with other Center Directors and/or Center staff

  • Represents the OCE in all-Center meetings

  • Encourages and facilitates OCE collaboration with other Center programs

  • Initiates new and manages recurring grant applications and grant reporting processes, in collaboration with Center Executive Director/Assistant Dean 

  • In coordination with Center’s Executive Director/Assistant Dean, promotes advancement and donor relations in collaboration with University Relations

Academic responsibilities:

  • Oversees the Certificate in Community Engagement for Collaborative Change
    • Teaches one course (CIVC 200 OR CIVC 400) for the certificate, while recruiting faculty to teach the other course.
    • Ensures oversight, evaluation and assessment of the certificate program 

    • Supports faculty who teach designated courses for the certificate

  • Recruits, develops, and supports faculty civic/community engagement cohort, connecting them with community needs, issues, and teaching/research opportunities.

  • Collects assessment of OCE student learning outcomes for community engaged learning courses in conjunction faculty and provides analysis of such data

  • Champions community engaged pedagogy in the classroom through collaboration with faculty cohorts, Center for Teaching programming, and other Center of Experiential Learning Directors

  • Serves as primary liaison with Career Readiness for summer service internships, including advising students participating in summer service internships and deciding on funding support for said students

  • Recruits and oversees selection of students for the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty summer internships

  • Provides opportunities for students to present community engagement and service experiences in public fora, community meetings, conferences, etc.

Campus and community collaborations:

  • Recruits, develops, and supports faculty civic/community engagement cohort, connecting them with community needs, issues, and teaching/research opportunities.
  • Collects assessment of OCE student learning outcomes for community engaged learning courses in conjunction faculty and provides analysis of such data
  • Champions community engaged pedagogy in the classroom through collaboration with faculty cohorts, Center for Teaching programming, and other Center of Experiential Learning Directors
  • Serves as primary liaison with Career Readiness for summer service internships, including advising students participating in summer service internships and deciding on funding support for said students
  • Recruits and oversees selection of students for the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty summer internships
  • Provides opportunities for students to present community engagement and service experiences in public fora, community meetings, conferences, etc.

Position Will Supervise

Director of Service Internship Programs
Director of Outreach and Service Away
Director of Community Development
Director of Dialogue Across Difference

Attributes of a Successful Candidate
Education
Master’s degree required and Ph.D preferred. Open academic field, with preferences for a field with training in academic civic engagement or relevant experience in community engagement.

Experience
5-7-years of professional experience with evidence of at least some of the following: engaged scholarship and pedagogy, leadership and advocacy for academic civic engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including governing boards, the public, the administration, faculty, students, and the public. Experience in supervising and leading teams preferred.

Job Related Skills
Mission-driven with collaborative teamwork, relational, and communication skills with multiple constituencies, budget management, strategic planning, community development, timely, clear communication, and program assessment.

Personal Interactions and Communications

Students: Extensive
Internal: Extensive work with faculty and staff in administrative and academic offices.
External: Extensive work with local agencies, local non-profit partners, other institutions of higher education, and foundation representatives.

Supplemental Information
This position will have access to confidential information. 
Working environment is primarily an office environment
Physical Requirements:
- must be able to stand for extended periods of time
- must be able to lift and carry up to 10 pounds

Support in the Hiring Process
If you have questions about a position or need assistance filing an application, or if you are a person with a disability and would like to request an accommodation in the application and interview process, please contact Human Resources at 931.598.1381 or hr@sewanee.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: 
The University of the South is an equal opportunity educational institution that is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus environment.