Chair, Department of English

General Summary

The Department of English invites applications for a Chair position. The Chairperson will provide academic and administrative leadership; manage and secure resources for the Department, including the Writing Program and Publications Unit; promote innovative teaching and research; and foster an atmosphere that supports our mission (https://english.illinoisstate.edu/about-us/shaping-english-studies/mission/).

The Department of English is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. ISU recognizes that diversity among the faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are especially welcome to apply. Women, veterans, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ and nonbinary identities, and BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply. A successful chairperson will:
• Have a clear, transparent, inclusive, and diplomatic communication approach that works to build community
• Understand research in a variety of areas of English Studies
• Promote innovate teaching and research in the area
• Advocate for departmental interests, including the managing and securing of resources for the department
• Contribute to the programmatic need of the department as a teacher and a scholar

Additional Information

The Department of English: Our department emphasizes an English Studies model in its undergraduate, M.A., and Ph.D. programs and includes scholars in the fields of Children’s Literature, Composition, Creative Writing, English Education, Linguistics, Literary and Cultural Studies, Publishing Studies, Rhetoric, TESOL, and Technical Communication. Our department faculty and graduate students are a community of diverse scholars who value pedagogy and collaborative, interdisciplinary work. The Department of English serves nearly 400 undergraduate majors and over 100 graduate students at the master’s and doctoral level, in addition to playing a central role in providing required courses for students throughout the university.

Illinois State University: Illinois State University, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. There are approximately 21,000 students in the six colleges of Illinois State University. In our most recent strategic plan, Educate ∙ Connect ∙ Elevate, we have committed our resources to realizing seven core values: Learning and Scholarship, Diversity and Inclusion, Respect, Collaboration, Individualized Attention, Civic Engagement, and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our University being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Also visit the University’s metrics of excellence at http://illinoisstate.edu/pointsofpride/.

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a population of approximately 167,000. The community is home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Rivian Motors, Country Financial, and State Farm Insurance Corporate Headquarters. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and educational attainment, parks and recreation, health care, job growth, economic opportunity, and low crime. Forbes magazine ranked Bloomington-Normal the 66th best small place for businesses and careers and 13th best for education (https://www.forbes.com/places/il/bloomington/).  Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis, two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis, and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield, many of which are accessible by Amtrak Train. For more information on our community, please visit http://www.visitbn.org/.

Required Qualifications

1. Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in any area of English Studies; the Chair must be a tenured associate or full professor or tenurable at that level within the Department (https://cas.illinoisstate.edu/about/chair/aspt/)
2. A demonstrated commitment to shared academic governance and to diversity, equity, and inclusion, broadly defined
3. Evidence of administrative leadership
4. As mandated by state law, demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language

Work Hours

Varies

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without reasonable accommodation:

1. Ability to communicate effectively on a daily basis
2. Ability to conduct or attend meetings in various locations across campus

Proposed Starting Date

07/01/2023

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. A comprehensive benefits package is included.

Required Applicant Documents

1) Letter of application
2) Statement of vision and leadership style
3) Curriculum vita
4) Names and contact details of three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

Additional documents may be requested.

PLEASE NOTE:  These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin December 13, 2022, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Search Committee Chair, Dr. John R. Baldwin, at jrbaldw@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.


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