Inaugural Executive Director, Neurodiversity Center for Excellence

Inaugural Executive Director, Neurodiversity Center for Excellence

Curry College seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and strategic leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of the Neurodiversity Center for Excellence. Reporting to the Provost, the Executive Director will spearhead the development, implementation, and management of the Center, ensuring it becomes a national model for supporting neurodiverse students. The Executive Director will be a key member of Curry's leadership team responsible for working across the college and beyond to build and grow the Neurodiversity Center for Excellence and its impact and reach.

The Neurodiversity Center for Excellence (NCE) at Curry College is a cornerstone of the institution's new strategic plan, designed to solidify Curry's leadership in supporting neurodivergent learners. Building upon the College's long-standing success with the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) and the recent launch of the Social Assistance in Learning (SAIL) program, the NCE represents a bold and innovative initiative aimed at expanding support for neurodiverse students. This center will serve as a hub for research, advocacy, and education, providing comprehensive resources and tailored programs that empower individuals with diverse neurological profiles to thrive academically, socially, and professionally. By

fostering partnerships, advancing research, and promoting inclusive practices, the NCE is poised to become a national leader in neurodiversity, driving Curry College's mission to create an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic learning environment for all students.

Curry College has a long-standing history and reputation as a leader in supporting neurodivergent learners. Since its establishment more than 50 years ago, the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) has been at the forefront of providing academically focused, research-based, and individualized instruction to students with diagnosed learning differences, executive function challenges, and/or ADHD. PAL has set the benchmark for integrated learning support, helping neurodiverse students thrive academically and socially.

Building on this legacy, Curry College recently launched the Social Assistance in Learning (SAIL) program. SAIL is designed to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of neurodiverse students, providing additional resources and support to help them navigate the complexities of college life. The Executive Director will collaborate with PAL and SAIL teams to integrate these proven initiatives and expand on them, creating a comprehensive support system for all neurodiverse learners.

Neurodiversity at Curry College encompasses a broad and inclusive definition, recognizing the inherent variety in human neurological makeup. The College embraces differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, depression, anxiety, and other cognitive variances as natural and valuable facets of humanity. This perspective underpins the mission of the Neurodiversity Center for Excellence, which aims to leverage Curry's strong reputation for supporting students with learning differences. By doing so, the Center strives to reach new markets, generate new revenue, and strengthen the College's position as a leader in supporting neurodivergent learners.

Essential Functions:

Leadership and Strategic Planning:

• Implement the initiatives for the Neurodiversity Center for Excellence identified in the recently adopted College Strategic plan and otherwise lead the strategic direction of the Center.
• Provide visionary leadership to establish the Center as a national leader in neurodiversity support in higher education.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for growth and expansion into new markets and audiences.
• Collaborate with college leadership, faculty, and external partners to promote the Center's mission and goals.
• Oversee the Center's budget, funding, and resources, ensuring sustainable growth and development.

Entrepreneurial Development and Partnership Building:

• Identify and develop new programs and services tailored to emerging needs and markets within the neurodiverse community.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and community organizations.
• Seek out and secure funding opportunities, including grants, donations, and corporate sponsorships.
• Innovate and implement revenue-generating initiatives to support the financial sustainability of the Center and the College.

Program Development and Management:

• Design and implement innovative programs and services to support neurodiverse students, including academic support, career development, and social integration initiatives.
• Ensure programs are evidence-based and align with best practices in neurodiversity education and support.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate neurodiversity principles into the curriculum and teaching practices.
• Work with PAL and SAIL to refine and evaluate existing programs to ensure they meet current and future needs of neurodiverse students.
• Develop and implement internal training for staff and faculty to enhance understanding and support of neurodiversity.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Build strong relationships with neurodiverse students, families, and community organizations.
• Develop outreach programs to raise awareness and promote understanding of neurodiversity within and beyond the college community.
• Organize events, workshops, and conferences to foster community engagement and knowledge sharing.
• Establish strategic partnerships with employers to expand internship opportunities and provide support in the workplace for neurodivergent learners.

Research and Innovation:

• Promote and support research initiatives focused on neurodiversity and inclusive education practices.
• Collaborate with faculty and external researchers to advance the field of neurodiversity.
• Disseminate research findings through publications, presentations, and other scholarly activities.
• Implement creation of support structures for underserved populations (e.g., adult PAL, neurodiversity coaches) and improve methods for identifying underserved students.

Advocacy and Policy Development:

• Advocate for neurodiverse students' needs within the college and in broader educational and policy contexts.
• Develop and implement policies and practices that promote inclusivity and accessibility.
• Stay abreast of national and international trends and developments in neurodiversity and higher education.
• Seek grant support for invisible student populations, including veterans and students' parents.

Operational Management:

• Oversee the renovation and design of new physical spaces for the Neurodiversity Center.
• Launch and manage online programs, such as the online coaching program.
• Develop and offer external professional development training.
• Establish and manage relationships with partners to share training and resources.
• Expand and refine internal and external trainings based on advancements in neurodiversity research.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality, parameters of operation, professional protocols, and individual privacy.

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor of their designee.

Job Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience with a strong focus on entrepreneurial endeavors, business development, or in launching and scaling successful programs or organizations.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing innovative programs, services, or businesses that have demonstrated measurable growth and impact.
• Experience in identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities, markets, and partnerships, particularly in sectors related to education, non-profits, or community-based initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in securing funding, including grants, donations, and corporate sponsorships.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to identify and develop new markets and opportunities.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to inspire and manage a diverse team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with various stakeholders across Curry, in the business community, and across broader academic and educational circles
• Knowledge of current research, best practices, and legal issues related to neurodiversity and higher education.
• Ability to advocate effectively for neurodiverse individuals and promote a culture of inclusivity.

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required; an advanced degree is preferred but not necessary if supplemented by extensive relevant experience.

Salary Range:

Commensurate with experience and within the range of $175,000 - $225,000.

Additional Information:
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Curry College will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

At the College's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the College, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Employment in this position is contingent upon the successful completion of all required pre-employment background checks.

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Curry College (the "College") does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that we administer, as required by Title IX and its federal regulations, including in admission and employment.

The College's nondiscrimination policy may be found at:

https://www.curry.edu/about-us/community-resources/employment/notice-of-non-discrimination; the College's grievance procedures for Title IX complaints may be found at:

https://www.curry.edu/assets/Documents/Student-Life/handbook.pdf (pp. 96-125).

Individuals who wish to make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, or those with information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination under Title IX may contact the Title IX Coordinator, the Office for Civil Rights, or both. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its federal regulations to the College may be referred to either or both offices listed below:

Rick Sommer, Title IX Coordinator: King Academic Administration Building, Office G-06, 55 Atherton Street, Milton, MA 02186. (617) 333-2212, richard.sommer@curry.edu.

Office of Civil Rights ("OCR")-Boston: US Department of Education, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109-3921. (617) 289-0111, OCR.Boston@ed.gov.

To apply, visit http://curry.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp? JOBID=181100

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