Hope Western Prison Education Program (HWPEP) Co-Director

Position Title Hope Western Prison Education
Program (HWPEP) Co-Director Classification
Title Administrative Full Time (.75-1.0 FTE)
Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligibility
Department Hope -Western Prison Education
Program
Job Description The HWPEP Co-Directors (one
co-director from Western Theological Seminary; the other from Hope
College) will provide the leadership, development, coordination,
implementation, and evaluation of all components of the HWPEP at
Muskegon Correctional Facility in a manner consistent with missions
of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. The Co-Directors
serve as the administrative officers for the curriculum, academic
policies, and operations of the prison education program. The
Co-Directors will be employees of Hope College and WTS,
respectively, and the Hope Co-Director will work under the academic
supervision of the Dean of Arts & Humanities at Hope College.
The position is a full-time (1.0 FTE) staff position at Hope
College. The anticipated full-time start date is July 1, 2024.
Duties and Responsibilities

1. Serve as the chief administrator of Hope College’s “additional
   location” at Muskegon Correctional Facility.
2. Manage the partnership between Hope College, Western
   Theological Seminary, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and
   other partners critical to the success of the program.
3. Develop and administer the course schedule and academic
   policies of the prison education program.
4. Recruit, orient, encourage, assist, and review the instructors
   of courses for the prison education program.
5. Raise funds and steward donors on behalf of the prison
   education program with assistance from both Hope College and WTS
   fundraisers.
6. Assess the program’s strengths and weaknesses in accord with
   the standards employed for other Hope College academic programs and
   departments.
7. Develop and effectively manage the annual prison education
   program budget.
8. Implement a process of recruitment, admission, and orientation
   of students in conjunction with the MDOC.
9. Serve as a general advisor to HWPEP students. If a Co-director
   teaches a First-Year Seminar, they will also serve as the formal
   academic advisor for those students.
10. Supervise, with cooperation of the Hope College and WTS
    librarians, a program of library resource provision and information
    literacy for HWPEP students.
11. Work with the warden and MDOC on program-related needs such as
    the following: educational space, student schedules, disciplinary
    incidents, instructor and volunteer orientation, clearance forms,
    and placement of graduates.
12. Address discipline and academic problems in accordance with
    Hope College and MDOC policies.
13. Work with appropriate Hope College administrators to ensure
    that the prison education program complies with Higher Learning
    Commission accreditation requirements.
14. Collaborate with the appropriate Hope College and/or WTS
    offices, including Business Services, Academic Affairs, Registrar,
    Library, Admissions, Frost Research Center, Boerigter Center, and
    Advancement.
15. Articulate the educational vision of the prison program along
    with the presidents and chief academic officers of Hope College and
    Western Theological Seminary.
16. Provide adequate orientation of teaching assistants, tutors,
    and volunteers.
17. Call meetings of the Steering Committee and Circle of Advisors
    and prepare the agenda for these meetings (normally once per
    semester).
18. Engage in continuing professional education while learning from
    the best accredited prison education programs.
19. Supervise the work of the Operations Coordinator of the prison
    education program.

  The Hope Co-Director will report to the Hope College Dean of
Arts and Humanities. The Co-Directors will brief the WTS chief
academic officer at least quarterly on the status of the prison
education program as well as plan and review budgets with
appropriate staff.
Qualifications – Personally committed to the
Christian mission of Hope College. – MA or PhD preferred. –
Experience with prisons and prison populations preferred.
Physical Demands This position requires remaining
in a sitting or standing position for frequent periods of time;
uses office machinery such as a computers, printers, copy machines;
Occasionally involves moving items over 10 pounds; frequently will
move between different offices/workspaces/buildings; and requires
effective communication abilities. In the case of temporary or
permanent condition(s) that require(s) accommodation(s), reasonable
accommodation(s) may be requested.
Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment
are contingent upon a background check. Some positions may have
position specific requirements, such as
education/licensure/certification verification, a physical, drug
screening, credit checks and/or transportation record review.
Posting Detail Information Posting Number
2023-202SR Job Posting Open Date 02/05/2024 Job Posting Close Date
03/01/2024 Open Until Filled No Is this position available for
sponsorship No
Special Instructions to Applicants Please include
the following with your application: Cover letter Curriculum
vitae
A statement describing how they will engage and support the
holistic mission of the College, particularly how their commitment
to the Christian faith, the liberal arts, and inclusive excellence
shapes their approaches and identities as teachers, scholars, and
mentors Review of applications will begin March 1st.