The Position: The University of Wyoming (UW) invites applications and nominations for candidates to serve as Wyoming Excellence Chair in Special Education. The University is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, creative, and established scholar with a background in and commitment to special education. The ideal candidate will possess a strong scholarship record, extensive professional accomplishments, a history of successful extramural funding, and solid leadership skills.
The Wyoming Excellence Chair in Special Education is a 9-month, full-time, tenured position that reports to the Dean of the College of Education. This professorship supports the College of Education’s undergraduate degree in Elementary and Special Education, as well as the Master of Arts in Special Education, and collaborates with colleagues in the Early Childhood Special Education endorsement program. In addition to a salary commensurate with the status of a high-profile, established scholar, this position provides access to discretionary funds to promote a robust research, teaching, and service agenda in special education.
The Wyoming Excellence Chair in Special Education is part of a vibrant, growing faculty that engages in developing high-quality special educators, supports local school districts in providing individualized and effective services to K-12 students with disabilities, collaborates across disciplines and with the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, advances best practices in special education, and strives for national prominence in the field. To expand these efforts, this position requires a committed and advanced scholar, invested in forging multi-disciplinary partnerships, and available to work on campus and actively engage in outreach with local school districts throughout Wyoming.
An earned Ph.D./Ed.D. in special education or a field closely related to special education.
A strong interest in and commitment to special education and low-incidence disabilities.
Earned rank of tenured full professor at an accredited university or advanced associate rank with accomplishments sufficient for promotion to the rank of professor upon hire at the University of Wyoming.
Successful experience and interest in teaching across multiple instructional modalities and a demonstration of excellence in teaching and faculty and student mentorship.
Experience with developing course materials and syllabi, assisting with faculty development, conducting research, and engaging with professional organizations in the field.
An ability to manage a teaching load of 9 credits per academic year.
Evidence of an established line of empirical research and publishing in special education or closely related fields.
A commitment to inclusive teaching practices.
Willingness to travel across the state in the capacity of serving as a special education advocate connecting with local school districts throughout Wyoming, as well as state and local government entities.
Experience with evaluation and reporting on special education programs aligned to CEC accreditation standards.
Demonstrated experience engaging external constituents in professional development.
Experience with external grant writing.
Experience collaborating with stakeholders in school districts and at the state level.
Experience teaching in K-12 special education settings.
The Ideal Candidate Will Possess:
A strong commitment to innovative teaching approaches that have resulted in improved student learning.
A demonstrated track record of engaging in academic scholarship, including grant writing/extramural funding.
Strong leadership skills and fiscal acumen.
Experience teaching in K-12 special education settings serving students with low-incidence disabilities.
The University of Wyoming invites diverse applicants to consider its employment opportunities. UW is especially interested in candidates who have experience working with diverse populations and/or diversity initiatives.
UW offers a competitive salary and strong benefits including a retirement plan with a 14.19% University contribution (based on gross salary), excellent leave plans, (vacations, sick days, and holidays), a tuition waiver program, a recreation center discounted membership opportunity, and a variety of on-campus dining and banking services.
About the Special Education Program: The University of Wyoming’s Special Education program is housed in the College of Education’s School of Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy, and Design (CLAD).
CLAD, which coordinates 6 program areas and more than 11 graduate programs, plus certificate and endorsement specialties, affords faculty and students the opportunity to positively influence a variety of societal and global challenges.
CLAD’s Special Education program is committed to preparing highly qualified pre-service and in-service educators to serve K-12 students with varying needs in the least restrictive environment with a provision of services to ensure their access to the general education curriculum. The program values diverse and evidence-based pedagogical, instructional, curricular, and positive behavioral approaches as well as research methodologies designed to produce appropriate learning outcomes for all students.
UW special education degrees may be completed from a distance, providing access to a variety of students around the state and beyond. The majority of courses are offered asynchronously online, with some courses requiring attendance via Zoom.
CLAD’s special education degrees include:
A Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education, providing pre-service educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach and include all students within their future classrooms. Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure in elementary education (K-6) and special education (K-12).
A Master of Arts in Special Education, where students learn best practices for providing services to students with disabilities while also acquiring an understanding of disability law, assistive technologies, and collaborating with general education classroom teachers to work with students of all abilities.
Undergraduate students work with advisors from the School of Teacher Education (STE). They also take all non-special education courses from STE, which offers a wide variety of undergraduate teacher education degrees and minors, graduate degrees in curriculum and instruction, as well as several endorsement and certificate programs to prepare students to be successful educators.
The University of Wyoming’s special education program is nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
About the College of Education: The College of Education shares in the land grant mission of the University of Wyoming and maintains an abiding commitment to the ongoing growth and vitality of educators and counselors across Wyoming. In this context, the College provides outstanding research-based programs leading to initial licensure and certification for the teachers, counselors, and leaders in Wyoming’s schools and mental health counselors in Wyoming’s rural communities. As importantly, the College’s programs provide essential support for teachers and counselors across the arc of their careers.
The College of Education develops and delivers cutting-edge instruction and professional support across Wyoming’s expansive geography, which presents unique opportunities for innovation in teaching and learning. The College’s work reflects this by incorporating globally innovative forms of competency-based learning, mentoring through communities of practice, and college and career readiness pathways which prepare educators for all settings and environments.
The College’s role in the state presents a singular opportunity for scholars committed to the large-scale impact of their scholarship while also providing a significant responsibility to be knowledgeable, engaged actors through their work and programs. As the only four-year, public institution in the state, members of the College of Education community bear the substantial weight of connecting research to practice informing policy and action directly. No university in the country enjoys such immediate access to the state-level policy environment.
The College of Education is currently led by the John P. Ellbogen Dean, Jenna Shim. Shim, a professor in the School of Teacher Education, has served as the associate dean for academic affairs and graduate studies for the past three years. She joined the UW faculty in 2009 and has also served as associate director in the School of Education; program coordinator for the English as a Second Language (ESL) graduate program in the School of Teacher Education; and founder of the annual Wyoming ESL and DLI (dual language immersion) Conference.
About the University of Wyoming: Nestled amid the beauty of two mountain ranges in southeastern Wyoming, you will find the nationally recognized teaching and research institution, the University of Wyoming (UW). Established as a land-grant institution in 1886 when Wyoming was still a territory, UW has since grown to offer nearly 200 areas of study, drawing approximately 12,000 students from all 50 states and 83 countries. UW is known for its accomplished faculty and world-class facilities, its low student/faculty ratio, and quality undergraduate and graduate programs within its colleges of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources; Arts & Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering & Physical Sciences; Health Sciences; Law; and the Honors College; as well as the School of Energy Resources; the School of Computing; and the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. To learn more, please visit http://www.uwyo.edu.
Throughout its existence, UW has been the only four-year public university in the state of Wyoming, though it maintains close relationships with the state’s eight community colleges. UW’s global impact begins with innovative undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and extends through state and federal partnerships and recent initiatives such as the Wyoming Institute for Humanities Research, the School of Energy Resources, and the School of Computing. UW has played important roles in the lives of students and Wyoming residents for 137 years. Outside Magazine identified Laramie as “the perfect affordable mountain town,” noting the cost of living; access to outdoor activities; food, art, and culture; and the influence of UW, including its academic and other offerings. Furthermore, Wyoming ranked #5 in the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best States for Higher Education”. In the area of tuition and fees, Wyoming ranks No. 2 in part because of its low cost for University of Wyoming students. UW’s tuition and fees for resident undergraduates are the lowest in the nation among doctoral degree-granting institutions. The University community is working collaboratively to help the University reinforce and strengthen its reputation as it adapts to changing economic factors in the state and beyond. The University’s strategic roadmap, “Forward for Wyoming 2023+: A Strategic Plan for the University of Wyoming,” demonstrates that it is an exciting time to be a part of UW as the institution embarks on ambitious and impactful initiatives.
Location: Laramie, Wyoming, a town with approximately 31,000 people, has a unique blend of sophistication and Western hospitality. UW not only provides an environment for success but also offers varied academic and lifestyle opportunities. Named the “#1 Small College Town in America” by College Value Online, Laramie boasts a low cost of living with no state income tax, incredible outdoor recreational opportunities, an eclectic downtown, and a great public school system.
To Apply: The University of Wyoming, in consultation with Summit Search Solutions, Inc., will begin a confidential review of application materials immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by October 30th will be given first consideration. Please submit a CV/resume and a letter that explains your interest and related experience/qualifications, upon application. All applications and nominations will be held in confidence.
For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations: Tammarah Townes Senior Consultant Summit Search Solutions, Inc. Direct: (302) 388-9480 ttownes@summitsearchsolutions.com
Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. The University’s policy has been and will continue to be, one of nondiscrimination, offering equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political belief, pregnancy, or other status protected by state and federal statutes or University regulations. The University’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all matters relating to its education programs and activities including recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, demotions, transfers, and all other terms and conditions of employment. To review the EEO is the Law Poster and its Supplement, please see The Diversity & Fairness page.
Pursuant to Wyoming State law, W.S. 19-14-102, as amended, an honorably discharged veteran who has been a resident of the state of Wyoming for one (1) year or more at any time prior to the date when the veteran applies for employment, or any surviving spouse who was married to such veteran at the time of the veteran’s death, who is receiving federal survivor benefits based on the veteran’s military service and is applying for employment, shall receive an interview preference during the applicant screening process with the University of Wyoming. At the time of application, the applicant must possess the business capacity, competency, education, or other qualifications required for the position. If disabilities do not materially interfere with performance of job duties, disabled veterans will be given preference over able-bodied veterans. Appropriate documentation of veteran status must be provided at the time of application as outlined in the application process. No preference will be given to a veteran currently employed by a public department.
The University of Wyoming conducts background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of the background check.
Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.
