Chair, Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science

Department
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Job Posting Title
Chair, Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science

Job Description

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) invites applications for the position of Chair of the recently formed Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science. This is a twelve-month, tenure-track appointment.

The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and service; excellent interpersonal and communications skills; demonstrated leadership experience; a commitment to diversity; the ability to support and facilitate the work of the department’s students, faculty, and staff; experience in both on-campus and online program development and marketing; and the ability to engage community stakeholders including government agencies, corporations, and international partners.

Annual Responsibilities

Service Activities as Administrator of the Department (50%)

Management Activities: Coordination of instructional activities, resources, and planning using relevant enterprise software and learning management systems.

• Efficient and timely production of class schedules
• Coordination of recruitment efforts for new full-time and part-time faculty members
• Evaluation of full-time faculty members as described in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Fort Hays State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors and Fort Hays State University/Kansas Board of Regents
• Supervision of online courses and adjunct instructors
• Facilitation, in conjunction with relevant university and disciplinary partners, of professional development activities for faculty
• Promotion of discipline-specific student engagement activities including co-curricular programs and mentorship initiatives
• Development and implementation of campus and community Civic Education activities
• Management of department budget and resources
• Timely completion and submission of the department’s annual and assessment reports
• Management of department office and supervision of administrative support staff

Leadership Activities: Engage in effective leadership consistent with the defined roles and responsibilities of a department chair.

• Development and implementation of a department-level vision, mission, and set of strategic goals
• Promotion collegiality within all areas of the department’s activity
• Clear and effective communication on behalf of the department with campus, community, and disciplinary stakeholders
• Promotion of continuous quality improvement in the areas of instruction, service, scholarly activity, and departmental governance
• Development of innovative approaches to strategic planning and problem-solving
• Alignment of department policies and initiatives with institutional and Kansas Board of Regent strategic goals
• Collaboration with the Fort Hays State University Foundation to establish and achieve department-level development goals
• Modelling of sustainable work habits that facilitate the accomplishment of department, college, and university goals
• Creation of a results-oriented departmental culture that promotes student persistence and success

Instructional Activities (30%)

Responsibilities include six hours of teaching each fall and spring semester and three hours each summer term. Candidates should have a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching in a liberal arts environment.

Scholarly Activities (10%)

Research resulting in publications as described in tenure and promotion guidelines established by a program in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Sciences

Standard Service Activities (10%)

Faculty service activities within the department, college, university, community, and discipline, as described in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Sciences’ tenure and promotion guidelines

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned terminal degree in a discipline within the department’s fields of study
• Five or more years of college or university teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Fiscal and supervisory responsibility in an academic environment
• Ability to contribute to international, comparative, and/or globally focused coursework
• Experience with civic engagement and service-learning, including programs such as Model United Nations, American Democracy Project, or All In
• Record of teaching, scholarship, and service sufficient to qualify for tenure based on disciplinary standards and guidelines established by a program in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science
• Experience with student recruitment and retention initiatives
• Experience with both major program and general education assessment
• Experience in securing resources through grants and/or fundraising
• Experience teaching in an online environment and supervising online programs
• Familiarity career readiness education and skills development for today’s workplace

Salary

Faculty salaries are set at 90% of current College and University Professional Association (CUPA) averages by rank and discipline.

Appointment Date

July 1, 2024

Application Deadline

Priority deadline is February 15, 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Benefits

Competitive benefit package at https://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/

Application Process

To apply for this position, please visit https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS .  Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should submit a letter of application, current CV, evidence of teaching excellence, example of scholarly writing, and names and contact information for three professional references. Application documents should be submitted in one PDF.

The successful applicant will be required to submit official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

Further Information

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

J. David Macey, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

101 Rarick Hall

Fort Hays State University

[email protected]

(785) 628-5806

About the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the heart of the University, offering a wide array of liberal-arts programs to expand intellectual horizons and prepare students for a profession and for life. In an age of information, we prepare students to be critical, thoughtful, and analytical, to assume a place in society where these skills are needed most. Our undergraduate and graduate programs help students to become better artists, thinkers, writers, and speakers.

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.