Department Chair, Humanities and Communication

Job Description

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an independent, culturally diverse institution providing quality education and research in aviation, aerospace, engineering, and other related fields with residential campuses located in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona. The University's Worldwide campus provides educational opportunities online and at approximately 130 locations throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and Central/South America.

 

As the largest and most comprehensive aviation and aerospace-focused university in the world, Embry-Riddle is a unique institution. Over the past 90 years, the University has evolved with industry to break new ground and produce top-level graduates who serve the ever-changing needs of aviation and aerospace and other STEM-related disciplines. Embry-Riddle offers programs in seven primary fields of study including: Applied Science; Aviation; Business; Computers and Technology; Engineering; Safety, Security, and Intelligence; and Space.

 

For Academic Year 2020-21, there were over 10,700 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students that attended the University's residential campuses and approximately 32,700 students in total enrolled with the University around the world.

 

The Opportunity

 

The College of Arts & Sciences (COAS) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide (ERAU-W) seeks a dynamic, nationally recognized academic leader who will serve as Chair for the Department of Humanities and Communication at our Worldwide Headquarters located in Daytona Beach, Florida. This position will include a tenured faculty appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor rank. The successful candidate not only will lead the existing faculty and programs in the department, but also will guide a strategic college-wide focus in developing new interdisciplinary programs and courses. The successful candidate will fill a critical leadership role within the College and across the Worldwide campus and will be provided ample time and resources to accommodate responsibilities of leadership, program development, and management for this broad interdisciplinary faculty team.


As a tenured faculty member in COAS, the successful candidate will maintain an exemplary level of research and scholarly activity. S/he will have demonstrated leadership skills, including project management, development of personnel, strategic planning, and budget management. The position also requires an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituents as a member of the department, college, and university. Additionally, candidates should have experience with a broad range of innovative methods of instruction and assessment. The ideal candidate will have a clear vision for supporting the growth of the Bachelor of Science in Communication program. While this position will be based at Worldwide headquarters in Daytona Beach, FL, department faculty are located around the world. As such, candidates will be highly adept at digital communication and proficient at motivating and leading virtual teams.


COAS engages regularly in strategic planning activities, leading to the current COAS Strategic Directions & Action Plan that will guide the College’s work and resources through 2022. Additionally, COAS implemented promotion and tenure guidelines and criteria, effective August 2022. Both of these policy documents are vital to the future trajectory of the College, and represent a collective strategy for all College decisions. The Department Chair for Humanities and Communication will provide leadership and mentoring for department faculty in order to maintain the positive momentum inspired by these critical College documents.


Other COAS departments include Math, Science and Technology, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Security and Emergency Services. In addition to degree programs, COAS annually provides over 2,000 sections of general education courses as part of every degree program at ERAU-W, with a focus on developing students’ capacity in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, communication, scientific literacy, cultural literacy, and collaboration. The Worldwide campus has an enrollment of 23,000 students, delivering courses globally online, synchronously to both homes and classrooms, in blended formats, and face-to-face at over 130 locations. ERAU-W earned a Top 5 ranking during the past seven years for Best Online Bachelor’s programs from U.S. News & World Report.

 

Qualifications

 

A doctorate in a humanities or communication discipline is required. Applicants should have a demonstrated record that will qualify them for appointment to a tenured faculty position at the Associate Professor or Professor rank, preferably with work that emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of humanities or communication with the STEM disciplines.

 

Applications should include a current CV and a detailed letter discussing experience, academic qualifications, and background that demonstrate a fit with COAS and the position. Selected candidates will be required to secure three professional references as part of the review process. Application materials should be submitted electronically through the Embry-Riddle Careers Website. Questions can be directed via email to Dr. Debra Bourdeau, Search Committee Chair, at taylo13f@erau.edu.


Similar searches: Full-time, Department chair, 4-year college or university, English, Florida