Director of African American Studies and Professor or Associate Professor

The University of Mississippi invites applications for a full-time, 12-month administrative faculty position as Director of African American Studies, with a joint faculty appointment in African American Studies and another department in the College of Liberal Arts.

The University of Mississippi is an R1 institution in an exciting phase of institutional growth and is located in the city of Oxford, a vibrant community known for its small-town charm and outstanding educational and cultural opportunities. The African American Studies Program develops and coordinates an interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum that focuses mainly on the African American experience in the United States, especially in Mississippi and the South. Its objectives are to encourage all students and faculty to examine the African American experience, to facilitate a cultural and intellectual atmosphere on campus favorable to such studies, and to develop and support a related program of research and community service. In addition to supporting the current objectives by supervising the administrative aspects of the program, working with program faculty and students, and coordinating numerous outreach and public programming activities, the new AAS Director will take the lead in shaping a vision for the program’s future.

Candidates for the position of Director must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree with an outstanding academic record of teaching and publishing on subjects related to African American Studies and must hold the rank of tenured Associate or Full Professor at the time of application. Though we are open to candidates with research focuses in any field of the liberal arts, we seek candidates with a strong commitment to undergraduate education and knowledge of the broad curricular and academic issues in the field of African American Studies. The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills and experience in personnel management; experience in fiscal management is also desirable. Candidates with demonstrable commitment and experience in fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities for research, teaching, and learning are of particular interest.

For additional institutional context, candidates are encouraged to consult the University’s strategic plan, Empower Now (https://empowernow.olemiss.edu/), the University’s Pathways to Equity plan that underlies all the Empower Now goals (https://chancellor.olemiss.edu/pathways-to-equity/), and the College of Liberal Arts’ specific Equity-in-Action Plan (https://dce.olemiss.edu/equity-in-action-plans/college-of-liberal-arts/).

To apply, visit careers.olemiss.edu. In addition to completing the online application, please upload the following: 1) under “Resume” a CV which includes the names and contact information for three professional references); 2) under “Other” a single document that includes a cover letter summarizing your qualifications and academic background; a statement of your general administrative philosophy and relevant administrative experience; a preliminary vision for the program; and a statement addressing your experience with and approaches to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement.

Review of applications will begin January 15, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated starting date is July 2024, but is flexible. Questions about the position may be addressed to the search committee chair Dr. Molly Pasco-Pranger (mpranger@olemiss.edu, 662-915-7097).