Academic Director, Historic Preservation

Pratt Institute Employer:
Brooklyn, NY, USLocation:
Tue, Jan 7 '25Posted on:
$125,000 - $135,000 annually Pay:

About Pratt

Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world.  A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.  

The Institute’s impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, Pratt Munson College of Art and Design in Utica, New York. On Governors Island, Pratt is a core partner on the Stony Brook University team selected to develop the New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational hub poised to establish New York City as the global leader for the most pressing issue of our time: climate change.  Another extension of Pratt’s campus is the Research Yard, a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings together the research activities of Pratt Institute under one roof in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY).

Description

The School of Architecture at Pratt Institute invites nominations and applications for the position of Academic Director (Head of Program) for the graduate program in Historic Preservation, which includes the Master of Science degree as well as the Advanced Certificate in Historic Preservation. Pratt seeks a dynamic, innovative, motivated leader to guide and further develop the program as it enters its third decade. We seek a leader who can continue the program’s success in developing curricula and partnerships that demonstrate how inclusive, people-centered heritage conservation practice supports communities in addressing the challenges they face.  

 Founded in 2004, the Master of Science degree in Historic Preservation is a 47-credit, four-semester program that provides future heritage professionals with the knowledge and skill to preserve architectural and cultural resources in ways that address the challenges communities face – including racial injustice, social inequality, gentrification and displacement, and the impacts of global climate change. Designed to be social justice-oriented, community-engaged, and practice-based, the curriculum offers a solid grounding in critical historic preservation theory, research methods, law and policy tools, architectural and urban history, and conservation practices. 

 The curriculum builds on the energy of New York City as an important epicenter of historic preservation in the United States, and the program frequently partners with community-based organizations to provide students with a real-time experience that supports community goals to preserve and protect places of cultural, historical, and architectural significance.  Classes take place on Pratt’s historic Brooklyn campus and the centrally-located Pratt Manhattan campus and are scheduled in a way that allows students time for work and internships. 

Examples of Duties

• Recruit new students through direct outreach, one-on-one meetings, and marketing events. 
• Review MSc and Certificate program applications; make admissions, advanced standing, work credits, and scholarship decisions. 
• Develop regular communications and relationships with prospective students. 
• Advise and mentor enrolled students.
• Develop the curriculum in collaboration with the Curriculum Committee.
• Schedule required and elective courses and oversee course syllabi and student course evaluations.
• Develop student enrichment programming, including internship programs, extra-curricular activities, career advisement sessions, etc.
• Along with the department Chair, recruit, support, and mentor faculty.
• Assign faculty course assignments with input from the Chair.
• Establish and lead faculty committees for curriculum review, programmatic assessment, and other topics as needed. 
• Identify opportunities and potential resources to enhance the program’s visibility, reach, and impact. 
• Work collaboratively with GCPE directors and support staff to strengthen the department and explore new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Align all activities with the broader institute’s values and purpose, detailed within Pratt’s Strategic Plan.
• Represent the department within the Institute and the profession.
• Raise the program's profile through the utility and leveraging of international and local networks via digital/social media platforms and in-person events. 
• Manage student graduate assistants and interns.
• Perform all other related activities as required.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Historic Preservation, Heritage Conservation, or Cultural Heritage Management is strongly preferred. A Master’s degree in Architectural History, Urban Planning, History, or a related discipline will also qualify for consideration
• Administrative experience in higher education
• College-level teaching experience, including graduate-level teaching experience as a lead instructor
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Demonstrated ability to foster a sense of community among faculty, students, and alumni
• Familiarity with academic institution operating systems and budgeting procedures
• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and/or environmental justice
• Recognized standing in the field of Historic Preservation as a scholar, practitioner, or both. Candidates must also have excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated intercultural competence, and the ability to work well with diverse populations

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Historic Preservation or related field is a plus
• Three years of administrative experience in higher education
• Three to five years of college-level teaching experience, including graduate-level teaching experience as a lead instructor
• Expertise in Historic Preservation pedagogy, curriculum development and review
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizational environments

Supplemental Information

Please submit a C.V., cover letter, and three professional references' names and contact information.  Review of applications will begin on Monday, February 3rd, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

At Pratt, we prioritize equity and have established a systematic approach to guarantee fair treatment for everyone.  If your background and expertise align with the requirements of the position, you will be contacted for further instructions.