Chair, Department of Sociology and Criminology

Howard University

Chair, Department of Sociology and Criminology 

Howard University (HU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

The Department of Sociology and Criminology seeks a dynamic, energetic leader with the ability to engage faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies collaboratively and effectively.  The ideal candidate will have a proven record of excellence in scholarship, collegial academic leadership, faculty development, and financial management.

The Chair represents the Department as part of the College’s leadership team and is primarily responsible for recruiting the Department’s faculty and staff and promoting their development and retention. Other responsibilities include overseeing the Department’s relationships with students and administering Department finances. The Chair manages a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students and a broad curriculum that includes two undergraduate majors in Sociology and Criminology, and a graduate program offering an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Sociology. The ideal candidate must therefore possess strong people skills and be adept at building and supporting multi-disciplinary partnerships and outreach activities.

The Chair must have an active and vibrant research agenda that complements our departmental focus on Race, Inequality, and the Black Experience, as well as our recently updated research area clusters: Health, Environment, and Science; Social Structure, Conflict, and Change; and Crime, Justice, and the City.  The ideal candidate should be knowledgeable about higher education trends and issues and collaborative in developing team-focused, data-driven approaches to problem solving.

Working in partnership with the senior administration of the College of Arts and Sciences, the successful candidate will be expected to embrace and contribute to the missions of the Department, the College, and the University. 

Desired Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution; PhD in Sociology or Criminology preferred, but allied disciplines will be considered;
• Record of professional accomplishments and scholarship that meet the qualifications for appointment to the rank of full professor in the College;
• Strong and sustained record of research accomplishments related to the Department’s focus on Race, Inequality, and the Black Experience;
• Strong and sustained record of teaching excellence, including evidence of curriculum development and a commitment to collaboration, innovative pedagogies, including interdisciplinary courses, and student-centered approaches;
• Evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members;
• Evidence of recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and staff, as well as teambuilding, supervision, and staff support for professional development;
• Substantial administrative, personnel and budgetary experience;
• Demonstrated ability to manage a complex academic organization and work effectively with colleagues across divisions; and
• Evidence of effective community involvement, outreach, leadership, and demonstrated ability to forge partnerships and build productive relationships with both campus and external constituencies.

Established in 1867, Howard University is a federally chartered, private, doctoral/research extensive university located in Washington, D.C. This renowned urban research university offers a world-class curriculum that includes undergraduate degrees in 80 subject areas, master's degrees in 75 majors, doctoral degrees in 31 disciplines and professional certification in 5 fields. The only comprehensive American university with a predominantly African-American constituency, Howard University is committed to preparing its students not only to be respected leaders in the national and global communities, but to also promote social justice and democracy the world over. Howard has historically educated more African-American PhD’s than any other university.

Procedure for Candidacy

Applications should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Review of applications will begin January 18, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information:

Dr. Nikki Taylor

Chair, Department of History

Chair, Sociology and Criminology Chair Search Committee

Howard University

nikki.taylor@howard.edu

Howard University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, religion, disability or protected veterans status. Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities or veterans status, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX should be directed to the Office of Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-806-1280.