EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST

STATUS: Full Time
DIVISION: Academic Affairs
REPORTS TO: Dean of Academic Affairs

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to drive the institution-wide transformation of online, blended, and technology-enhanced instruction. The Educational Specialist plays a critical role in supporting faculty through instructional design, professional development, and pedagogical innovation to foster inclusive, effective, and engaging learning experiences for all students.
Role Overview Reporting to the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Educational Specialist will work closely with the Deans of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, Information Technology Services, and faculty across CCS. This position is responsible for enhancing instructional practices by integrating inclusive pedagogies, supporting technology-enhanced learning, and ensuring faculty have access to high-quality professional development resources. The Educational Specialist will also oversee a Canvas-based repository of teaching materials, and manage faculty development initiatives such as workshops, teaching circles, and one-to-one consultations.
CCS values diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups. The ideal candidate is data-driven, tech-savvy, and passionate about adapting art and design education to both online and in-person learning environments. They will work to develop a robust library of educational tools and guide faculty in their effective use.

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

• Oversee the development and maintenance of instructional standards for face-to-face, blended/hybrid, and online instruction.
• Train faculty in the effective use of educational technology tools for classroom instruction, including best practices for Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Support the integration of inclusive pedagogies to help faculty build trust and community in their classrooms.
• Develop materials on topics such as supporting disabled and neurodiverse students and creating accessible learning environments.
• Collaborate with the LMS technologist and the Dean of Academic Affairs to implement assessment plans in Canvas.
• Manage relationships with external partners such as Canvas, NC-SARA, EvaluationKit, and others supporting technology-enhanced instruction at CCS.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five or more years of experience in academic or educational technology, instructional design, or faculty development.
• Proven track record of innovation in teaching, online pedagogy, and a strong understanding of emerging technologies.
• Extensive experience in instructional design for both LMS-enhanced in-person learning and online learning.
• Strong interpersonal skills, patience, a sense of humor, and the ability to lead and collaborate with colleagues across the college.
• A graduate degree in a related field.
• Experience working with learning management systems, particularly Canvas.
• Experience managing budgets, supervising teams, and developing program plans from vision to implementation.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Technical experience or understanding of enterprise systems (e.g., evaluation, assessment, curriculum management).
• Experience working with faculty in art and design disciplines.
• Proficiency in working across multiple technology platforms.
• Experience with mobile delivery of instruction.
• Ability to conduct, support, and interpret research in pedagogy and instructional design.
• Personal experience teaching or developing online courses.