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Human Resources

Director of the Petrick Idea Center

Illinois Wesleyan University invites applications for a new full-time position as Director of the Petrick Idea Center, beginning July 1, 2026. The Petrick Idea Center serves as the hub of creativity and innovation for the entire campus community. We are seeking a highly motivated, visionary leader who is passionate about student innovation and entrepreneurship and excels in collaborative, community-centered work. 

This position is a full-time, 12-month, teaching-track faculty appointment with the expectation that the candidate will teach two undergraduate courses per year and play a central role in shaping the vision and operations of the Petrick Idea Center. The Center will serve as the innovation & entrepreneurship hub for the campus as it includes an extensive maker space, hosts E&I programming, and provides an incubator space for student-entrepreneur teams. The Director will report to the Dean of the School of Business and Economics and work closely with campus and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Faculty Responsibilities:

    • Teach two courses annually, related to entrepreneurship, innovation, or the candidate’s academic expertise.
    • Engage in university service (e.g., student advising, committee work).

Administrative and Programmatic Leadership:

    • Lead all operational aspects of the Petrick Idea Center, including managing student teams and facility usage.
    • Oversee the maker-space and supervise its staff.
    • Develop a robust calendar of programs, including guest speakers, workshops, and events supporting student innovation and research.
    • Partner with the SoBE dean to align the Center’s mission with campus-wide entrepreneurship initiatives.
    • Engage with local schools to extend outreach and educational impact.

Community Engagement:

    • Build and maintain strong relationships with local organizations and stakeholders.
    • Participate in and contribute to entrepreneurship-related councils.
    • Support communication and marketing efforts.

Other Responsibilities: Undertake additional duties that arise in the course of the Center’s operations and as the Center’s programs and initiatives evolve.

Qualifications: We welcome candidates from any academic discipline, provided they hold a terminal degree (e.g., PhD, DBA, MFA, EdD, JD, MBA) and demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate education, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Compensation and Benefits:

  • The salary range for this position begins at $80,000-$120,000 based on qualifications and experience.  
  • Twelve-month appointment
  • See here for an overview of IWU benefits.

About the Petrick Idea Center: This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic individual to help shape the future of a newly launched center that will serve as a hub for innovation at IWU. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in entrepreneurship & innovation, program leadership, and community engagement. Our aspiration is that the Petrick Idea Center will serve as a catalyst for engaging students across campus in entrepreneurship and innovation, and that the director will contribute to making IWU a leader in entrepreneurial liberal arts education.

About the Teaching Track:  The teaching track focuses on developing and delivering innovative curricula as well as contributing to the success of students, the department, and the university. It is a renewable appointment built on consecutive six-year contracts. Typically initial appointments are at the rank of Assistant Professor, with the possibility of promotion to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor. While not eligible for tenure, appointments on the teaching track are designed to support long-term engagement and professional growth. Teaching track faculty are eligible for sabbatical following the successful renewal of the initial 6-year contract and every seven years thereafter.

About IWU:  Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University is a nationally ranked, small, private undergraduate liberal arts university with highly selective admission criteria and a tradition of teaching excellence emphasizing the integration of the liberal arts and professional education. We are located in Bloomington, IL, a metro area of 190,000 people, which is about a two or three hour drive from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. We are strongly committed to fostering an environment that values varied perspectives and backgrounds.

Review of applications will begin March 1 and will continue until the position is filled.

To Apply: 

Submit the following:

  1. A cover letter describing your interest in the Petrick Idea Center and relevant leadership experience.
  2. A curriculum vitae.
  3. A statement of teaching philosophy and commitment to undergraduate education.
  4. Include a one-page statement describing your understanding of inclusion and how your experiences have prepared you to contribute to the IWU commitment of building a diverse and inclusive environment.
  5. Names and contact information for at least two professional references.

Please submit your application materials to sobe@iwu.edu. Please send any questions to Dr. Bryan McCannon, Dean, School of Business and Economics, at bmccanno@iwu.edu. 

Illinois Wesleyan University may offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Illinois Wesleyan University is committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a community that values a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds among our outstanding faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to contributing to and enhancing our community in these areas. Illinois Wesleyan University is an EEO Employer. Illinois Wesleyan University’s sexual misconduct policy may be accessed here. Illinois Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting excellence through a variety of viewpoints; details at https://www.iwu.edu/about/non-discrimination.html.