Details
10/24/2019
Department Chair of Communication Studies
University of Alabama
Call for Department Chair of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama
The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama is seeking to hire a new faculty member with demonstrated administrative experience and collaborative leadership qualities to serve as the chair of the department. The chair position has management responsibilities for a departmental faculty of 21 members, as well as for approximately 20 part-time adjuncts and graduate student instructors, with nearly 500 undergraduate majors and approximately 70 M.A. graduate students. As an administrative position, the chair holds responsibility for departmental budgeting, class scheduling, student enrollment management and strategic planning, recruitment and retention, curriculum development and assessment, hiring and evaluating faculty, and handling the financial resources for the department.
The successful candidate will be able to balance between the rich history of the department and necessary innovative change, leading and working with faculty on program development, assessment and review, representing and advocating for the department at the College and University level, maintaining commitment to diversity in identity, research, and scholarship, and supporting both the teaching and the research missions of the department for faculty and students. In addition, the successful candidate for this position will be able to provide leadership to all areas of the department, including our co-curricular programs: the nationally-ranked Alabama Forensic Council, our award-winning Public Speaking Program, and our campus-wide communication center, The Speaking Studio. This 12-month position will be hired at the rank of Professor with tenure for a five-year appointment, beginning Fall 2020.
Required Qualifications
• Terminal degree (Ph.D.) in Communication Studies
• An established record of scholarship, in a related area of communication studies, appropriate for tenure at the level of full professor
• At least three years of related administrative experience
• Demonstrated success in teaching, research, and service
• Demonstrated support for departmental online programs and initiatives in online education
• Strong administrative skills, a collegial leadership style, and the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and other stakeholders
• A commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning and work environment
General Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Overseeing departmental BA and MA programs and curricular matters
• Collaborating with program directors and course coordinators on curricular oversight
• Managing budgetary priorities for a diverse array of departmental needs
• Confirming all departmental teaching assignments
• Conducting annual reviews and faculty reviews for reappointment, tenure, and promotion
• Teaching a 1/1 teaching load, or the equivalent, each year
• Working with the Dean, as the institutional agent for the department and representative on the College’s administrative council
• Serving as senior faculty advisor to students, as appropriate
As an academic unit, the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama emphasizes the connections between thought, action, and public participation by studying theory and practice in the areas of interpersonal communication, rhetoric and political discourse, communication and culture, and organizational leadership. Beyond excellence in teaching and research, the department is a campus leader in initiatives involving and fostering diversity, inclusion, advocacy, experiential learning, and community engagement. For more information, visit our website at https://comstudies.ua.edu.
The University of Alabama is the state’s flagship public university, has a Carnegie Very High Research classification, and offers a full course of academic undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs to over 38,500 students. It is located in Tuscaloosa, one of Alabama’s most progressive cities, with a metropolitan population of over 115, 000. Offering many cultural and outdoor activities and a reasonable cost of living, the city affords an excellent quality of life for its residents. It is conveniently located an hour from Birmingham and is within easy driving distances to the Gulf Coast beaches, New Orleans, Nashville, the Smoky Mountains, and Atlanta (https://visittuscaloosa.com/).
Application Process
To apply, submit the following materials online, at https://facultyjobs.ua.edu:
1) a cover letter
2) a current curriculum vitae
3) statement of administrative experience and leadership philosophy
4) statement of research activity/publication record
5) statement of contributions to diversity and inclusion
6) a list of three references, including phone numbers and email addresses
Review of applications will begin 1 December 2019, and will continue until the position is filled. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Questions may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Robin M. Boylorn, at rboylorn@ua.edu.
The Department of Communication Studies is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment.
The University of Alabama is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to promoting diversity. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
