Chair, Department of English and Philosophy

The Department of English and Philosophy at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) invites applications from qualified candidates for the position of Department Chair, preferably at the rank of Professor.  It is a full-time, 12-month, tenured position, with a course load of four courses per academic year. The appointment begins July 1, 2025. Candidates must have a terminal degree in either English, Philosophy, or a closely related field. While specialization is open, ideal candidates will have knowledge of different fields within the department. They should also have a demonstrated record of scholarship or creative activity and publication within their field with the expectation of continued work.

The Department of English and Philosophy includes 23 full-time faculty. We offer a Bachelor of Arts in English with concentrations in Creative Writing and Literary Studies, and minors in English Language and Literature, Creative Writing, and Philosophy. We also offer a certificate in Professional and Technical Writing. We seek candidates with innovative ideas for recruitment and retention, and who can strengthen connections among different areas in the department and promote our program initiatives and vision for growth.

We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all students, staff, and faculty. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions.

We seek an individual with demonstrated evidence of

• academic administrative experience at the department or program level
• strengths in teaching, including online teaching
• excellence in scholarship or creative activity and research as evidenced by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications
• a commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion
• excellent written and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with diverse audiences
• a commitment to collaboration and shared governance at the departmental, college, and university levels

The department chair’s key responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• communicating and implementing college and university policies to the department, and advocating for departmental needs to the college and university
• encouraging and supporting good teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and professional development within the department
• leading recruitment and retention efforts aimed at growing the major
• planning and executing a strategic direction for the department, building and staffing the schedule of classes, overseeing the department budget and other resources, completing assessment reports, fostering team building, managing the department and its staff, overseeing advising as necessary, and working with diverse faculty and students in the department and across campus to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration
• working with the faculty to develop and review standards, curricula, and procedures, which provide adequate preparation of graduates for professional or further academic endeavor
• working with the Director of Composition on curriculum, professional development, and program assessment.

AUM is the metropolitan campus of Auburn University with approximately 5,200 students and 200 faculty in five academic colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Nursing and Health Sciences, Sciences, Business, and Education. Located in the state capital, AUM serves a diverse, minority-majority student body that includes traditional and non-traditional students. Montgomery offers diverse cultural and recreational opportunities including the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, world-class museums, Civil Rights Memorial, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, a ballet company, a natural habitat zoo, a chamber music society, a community symphony and chorale, an independent film theater, and the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team. Further, Montgomery is the home of the Southern Poverty Law Center and Equal Justice Initiative.

How to Apply:

Visit www.jobs.aum.edu and complete an online application. Completed applications must include, 1) cover letter indicating interest and qualifications, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement on leadership philosophy, 4) statement on teaching and research philosophy, 5) graduate transcripts (official transcript will be needed at time of hire), and 6) contact information for at least three professional references (will be contacted for final candidates only).

Screening of applications will begin as received with priority given to applications received by January 6, 2025. While the position will remain open until filled, AUM reserves the right once interviewing has begun to stop accepting applications.

Contact Dr. Kimberly Pyszka, Search Committee Chair, at kpyszka@aum.edu with any questions.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Auburn University at Montgomery is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity; therefore, we encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.