Founded in 1974, Tai Sophia Institute (www.tai.edu) is the nation’s leading academic institution for integrative health and wellness. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Institute offers master’s degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates, and post master’s certificates in acupuncture and oriental medicine, integrative nutrition, health education, health and wellness coaching, and herbal medicine. Moving toward university status, Tai Sophia Institute is continually expanding and deepening its academic offerings. The Institute also offers continuing education programs for professional and personal development. The campus houses a Natural Care Center, where student interns offer treatments and consultations and where professional healers practice.
Tai Sophia Institute is seeking applicants or nominations for the position of Academic Director, Nutrition and Integrative Health. This individual will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our very successful Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health as well as our Post Master’s Certificate in Nutrition and Integrative Health (for health professionals). Launched in September, 2011 we were overwhelmed with applicants for the MS program. While it has a strong science and evidenced based approach, it teaches nutrition from a holistic approach incorporating the medicinal, therapeutic, social, cultural, psychological, and political aspects of food. Our Post-Master’s Certificate is launching in October, 2012. An online version of the master’s program is expected to launch in September, 2013. Included in the strategic plan is additional programming at the undergraduate and doctoral levels. Our current Academic Director would like to step down after total immersion in the startup of these programs. She will continue to teach in the program and be available to provide guidance as needed.
The ideal candidate to lead these programs is committed to an integrative holistic approach to nutrition, is creative and entrepreneurially oriented and has knowledge of or has been involved both in higher education administration and curriculum development. The person needs a minimum of a master’s degree in nutrition or related field, a doctoral degree is preferred. CNS certification or a comparable certification is required.
The selected candidate will have the opportunity to put his/her signature on a program with a national, and potentially, international reach, will work in an academic institution that is growing in both size and influence, and create programs that respond to national trends.
The Academic Director serves as both an administrative and academic leader for the two graduate programs. Reporting to the Provost, the Academic Director serves as part of the Academic Leadership Council, a senior program management team that advises the Provost. The chosen candidate should expect to start no later than January 1, 2013.
Responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to:
• Faculty selection, hiring, evaluation and development;
• Curriculum/course evaluation;
• Curriculum development;
• Budget management;
• Student recruiting and advising;
• Alumni relationship building;
• Academic administration
• E-learning development and administration
Qualifications:
• Academic administrative experience in a college/university and/or faculty experience in higher education
• Master’s degree in this or related area
• Philosophical compatibility with Tai Sophia and its wellness/holistic approach to nutrition
• Entrepreneurial enthusiasm or business experience
• CNS or other comparable certification in the nutrition field
• Curriculum development experience
• Doctoral degree in this or a related area is preferred
• Experience designing, developing, and/or teaching online courses is strongly preferred
• Marketing experience is preferred
• Graduate level academic curriculum development and assessment is preferred
Interested individuals should forward a) a letter of interest, b) CV/resume, and c) the names of four professional references to Search Committee Chair, Nutrition Programs, referencing “Academic Director, Nutrition” in the Subject Line of the email.
Applicants are considered on the basis of individual merit without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, religion, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Institute is committed to being, communicating, and educating in ways that recognize and honor the full range of human diversity. EOE.