Tenure Track Associate Professor of Dance and Division Director of Dance (2027 2028)

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title


Rank
Associate Professor

Salary Range
$77,000 - $90,000

Tenure Information
Tenure Track

Job Description

The Hartt School, a conservatory of music, dance, and theatre, at the University of Hartford is seeking a tenure-track, Associate Professor in Dance beginning August 2027. Candidates are expected to teach dance to undergraduate students in the Dance Performance, Bachelor of Fine Arts program and to serve as Director of the Dance Division. This position reports to The Hartt School Dean.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of a complex dance division, including curricular and enrollment management; student recruitment; recommending part-time faculty hiring; recommending faculty loads and teaching assignments; completing faculty evaluations; scheduling and chairing division-wide meetings; addressing student and faculty issues; implementing all School and University policies; attending Dean's Leadership Team, faculty, division, and committee meetings in person; providing input, advising on the artistic and academic direction for The Hartt School; and assisting in budgetary preparation and oversight.
• Teach dance to undergraduate students in the Dance Performance, Bachelor of Fine Arts program.
• Provide inclusive leadership with the faculty to remain current in dance curricula preparing students for long-term professional careers.
• Oversee and participate in all aspects of student recruitment, retention, and advising for enrollment and maintain a strong, inclusive, and diverse student body from the submission of the student's application through their timely graduation. Meet with student groups and class representatives.
• Participate in the award of division scholarship funds in consultation with the Dean, Hartt Admission staff, and the dance faculty.
• Remain active in creative/scholarly pursuits, developing and/or maintaining a national and international profile in the field of dance and seek peer reviews, as appropriate-all as expected for the successful pursuit of tenure and promotion.
• Serve as a cooperative member of the Dean's Leadership Team to support all aspects of The Hartt School, while serving as an advocate, ambassador, and spokesperson for the Dance Division to Hartt colleagues, University administration, the public at large, and the Hartford arts community.
• Serve as the institutional representative to the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
• Serve as an advocate in fundraising for The Hartt School.
• Support the policies and regulatory processes of the University of Hartford and The Hartt School, ensuring equity, consistency, and effective communication, and precise recordkeeping.
• Serve on University and School committees as needed.
• Demonstrate a commitment to inclusive excellence, which the University defines as an unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant campus community where every student, staff member, and faculty colleague feels deeply rooted, empowered to flourish, and inspired to achieve their highest potential.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA), or terminal degree, in a dance discipline at the time of appointment. A bachelor's degree in dance with significant national, professional performing credits and experience will be considered.
• Ongoing record of professional experience, artistic achievement, and creative activities in dance.
• Evidence of successful university and/or conservatory teaching in a dance department with evidence of successful student mentorship experience.
• Evidence of successful leadership, organizational, and communication skills at a university and/or professional level and of the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide and culturally diverse range of students, faculty, staff, and administration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of curriculum development and innovative pedagogical practices or publications that offer a strong vision for dance training for the 21st century.
• Current working knowledge of performing arts high school networks and/or feeder systems.
• Experience working with the National Association of Schools of Dance accreditation process.
• Interest in, or experience with, community education and outreach programs.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence and Belonging:

• Candidate shows evidence of fostering an inclusive, equitable, just, and caring community where the unique identities of each person are fully appreciated, respected, and celebrated.
• Candidate demonstrates values that align with diverse intellectual perspectives.
• Candidate is capable of cultivating a campus community of respect and belonging.

Preferred Qualifications

Statement on Inclusive Excellence and Teaching Philosophy

Statement of Inclusive Excellence

As an institution of higher learning, the University of Hartford strives to be more than merely a mirror of the larger society; it should foster learning and encourage the personal growth of students, faculty, and staff in an environment that promotes and celebrates diversity in all of its forms regardless of identifying factors including but not limited to race, sex, age, religion, national origin, socioeconomic status, physical and learning differences, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.

Accordingly, our commitment is to:
• Foster an inclusive, equitable, just, and caring community where the unique identities of
each person are fully appreciated, respected, and celebrated
• Engage in civil discourse, that values diverse intellectual perspectives
• Cultivate a campus community reflective of the intersectionality of the larger society while
maintaining an environment of safety and respect where all members experience a sense of belonging
• Institutionally, stand against acts of hate, intimidation, discrimination, bigotry, violence, and
harassment of any kind
• Uphold the values of the institution, so that all our members are treated with dignity and
respect

Our commitment to Inclusive Excellence and Belonging is a strength that results in a vibrant and more engaged campus culture.

Teaching Philosophy

In the teaching philosophy statement, please share your thoughts and experiences in using active learning strategies, high-impact practices, and evidence-based pedagogical practices, as well as your methods for engaging students and fostering student belonging in the classroom.

Please also include strategies for recruiting and retaining quality students and pedagogical methods for dance students.

College Information

The Hartt School offers accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in music, dance, and theatre. The Hartt School is a school of performing arts within a mid-size university setting. Hartt students benefit from a diverse array of master classes, artist residencies, internships, and partnerships with leading professional performing arts organizations that help them achieve mastery in their discipline, find personal fulfillment, and transition successfully from college to career. The Hartt School has a total enrollment of 460 undergraduate and 120 graduate students served by 43 full-time and 133 part-time faculty with a 12:1 faculty to student ratio.

Hartt Dance prepares students for successful, lifelong careers in dance through rigorous and innovative learning experiences. With international and industry opportunities, students gain skills to thrive. Our unique curriculum integrates broad skill sets and supports performers, teachers, and choreographers, giving students exposure to the wider field of dance-related occupations. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance offers extensive performance opportunities, conservatory-style training, and instruction from renowned faculty. Students study ballet, modern, and contemporary dance, along with music, composition, dance teaching, performance techniques, kinesiology, dance technology, and dance history. The BFA in Dance Performance program serves 35 dance majors and prepares students for professional careers in performance. Its alumni are currently performing, or have recently performed, with leading companies including PHILADANCO!, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the Martha Graham Dance Company, among others. The University of Hartford is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. For more information about Hartt Dance, please visit: https://www.hartford.edu/academics/schools-colleges/hartt/academics/dance/default.aspx.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
F224P

Open Date
08/16/2027

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Within the required Statement on Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, candidates should include an explanation of how their teaching practice meets the needs of the diverse population of students at the University of Hartford, focusing particularly on pedagogical approaches that support student success. If relevant, candidates should also comment on research, scholarship, practice, or creative activity that will contribute to the inclusive excellence goals to which the University of Hartford is committed. It is recommended that candidates approach this statement thoughtfully and use specific examples to illustrate their Statement on Inclusive Excellence and Belonging.

In your cover letter, please relate your experience to all Qualifications of the position in addition to highlighting what unique skills you would bring to The Hartt School.

Priority will be given to applications received by December 18, 2026; however, the search will remain open until the position is filled.