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The School of Human Ecology (SoHE) Department Chair leads the department in building a cohesive and unified vision, fostering a high-performance culture, and forging partnerships both within the department and across other SoHE units. They nurture the professional growth of faculty, create a welcoming environment for diverse students and faculty, and work to enhance the quality of instruction, research, and outreach/community engagement. Reporting to the Dean, The Chair collaborates with the dean, associate deans, center directors, and other leadership team members to advance SoHE’s mission and strategic goals. They are also expected to address issues that may arise during the summer months and prepare for the new academic year and perform duties as assigned by the Dean.

Responsibilities & Duties

1. Vision and Leadership

• Develop and implement a cohesive vision for the department, including strategic short-term and long-term goals, objectives, and plans.
• Promote an open and inclusive work environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Represent the department in its internal and external affairs.

2. Faculty Development

• Nurture the professional development of faculty and staff, fostering excellence and national distinction in research, teaching, and outreach/community engagement.
• Provide leadership in hiring and development, including orientation for new faculty, tenure, promotion, and post-tenure processes aligned with SoHE and University policies.
• Supervise instructional academic staff, including teaching professors, teaching faculty, and lecturers, conducting performance reviews and management.
• Oversee recruitment efforts for instructional academic staff.

3. Student Success and Program Operations

• Provide leadership and coordination for curriculum development, instruction, enrollment management, learning outcomes, and program reviews for both undergraduate and graduate programs; Manages resources allocated for graduate assistantships.
• Collaborate with the School’s Coordinators for Academic Programs and Services (CAPS) to ensure effective and efficient departmental operations.
• Work with the dean and associate deans to manage faculty affairs, academic programs, and department financial resources.

4. Governance and Communication

• Work closely with faculty governance committees (e.g., Departmental and SoHE Executive Committee, APC, school-wide committees).
• Manage communication between the dean’s office and the department, ensuring it is effective, accurate, and consistent.
• Schedule, set agendas for, and preside at departmental faculty meetings; appoint ad hoc committees as necessary.
• Work closely with the departmental leadership teams for departmental affairs.