Department Chair - Communication

Georgia College is receiving applications for the Department Chair - Communication opportunity.  Please review the information below and feel free to visit the application link to learn more about this opportunity.  Our university desires applicants who can work with people from diverse backgrounds and encourage inclusiveness.

Home Department: College of Arts & Sciences

Employment Type: Tenure Track Faculty

Appointment: Faculty (12-month)

Primary Function:

The Department of Communication boasts a completely renovated new space which provides students with a versatile, engaged, and marketable curriculum leading to success in the communication industry. The Mass Communication degree (B.A.) is an integrated, cross-platform curriculum where students focus their studies in one of three areas: digital media production, journalism, or strategic communication. The Rhetoric degree (B.A.) and Rhetoric minor provide the knowledge and practice of oral and written communication skills to communicate and evaluate communication effectively in the workplace and within society.

The successful candidate will have a terminal degree in Communication, Mass Communication, Rhetoric or related field.

The successful candidate will display the attributes of excellent leadership, personnel management and evaluation skills which value respect for faculty governance and commitment to enhance our research and funding record. Further, the successful candidate will display superior skills in teaching, mentoring, budgeting, curriculum development, alumni relations and fundraising, profile-building, and commitment to equity and inclusion.

The Department of Communication is positioned within the College of Arts and Sciences, which is the largest of the University's four colleges. Approximately 195 full-time faculty teach 3,000 students in thirteen departments, with majors encompassing the arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, sciences and mathematics, fine and performing arts, and select professional programs.

Georgia College is known for combining the educational experience of private liberal arts colleges with the affordability of public universities. The university's main campus is a residential learning community focused on undergraduate education and a select number of graduate programs. Faculty and staff are dedicated to engaging students through high impact pedagogies that foster intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry, and critical thinking. We strive for excellence in the classroom and beyond. We nurture collaborative leadership and global citizenship. We value diversity and inclusion in all of its forms. Georgia College seeks faculty and administrators who understand and embrace our public liberal arts mission and are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through teaching, scholarship, and service.

All Georgia College faculty share the responsibility of teaching our core curriculum and providing foundation courses for majors and non-majors alike. To carry out our public liberal arts mission, we seek faculty with the desire and ability to engage a diverse student body as they launch their intellectual journey.

Georgia College is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative-Action Institution committed to cultural, racial, and multi-ethnic communities and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is expected that successful candidates share in this commitment.

Primary Purpose:

Superior departmental leadership is critical to the overall success of the Georgia College mission. National searches for all vacant chair and administrative positions are an ingredient for becoming an increasingly preeminent institution.

The department chair provides leadership for the department and works collaboratively with the faculty to meet the academic needs of students and foster excellence in programs, instruction, scholarly activity, and service.

The position is a 12-month appointment reporting to the dean of the college. As a member of the Communication Department faculty, the department chair contributes to the work of the department through teaching (half-time), remaining active as a scholar, and through service. The department chair must have the capability to do the following: manage effectively course scheduling, budgets, personnel and facilities; lead curriculum development; cultivate and maintain alumni relations and raise funds; and carry out other department leadership functions in addition to performing other duties as assigned.

Key Functions: Faculty - Department Chair, Faculty - Teaching/Instructing, Faculty - Professional Development, Leadership, Program Management, Administration , Advising , Budgeting, Liaison, Faculty - Service to Institution, Supervision

Job duties performed for the above function:

Implement a departmental mission including short and long term plans based on the University's Vision Statement and Goals and the missions of the School/College

The department chair is expected to teach a half-load (12 contact hours) during the academic year, either at the undergraduate or graduate level.

As a member of the Communication Department, the department chair is expected to remain active as a scholar in their area of expertise.

Administer faculty and staff development programs Make recommendations regarding faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion Handle personnel challenges

In collaboration with department faculty, plan, staff, and schedule classes Participate in program review and evaluation of existing degree, accreditation, certification, and other academic programs; development of new programs; and implementation of improved programs to enhance the quality of instruction, academic programs, and research Manage department and college facilities and equipment in a manner that promotes quality learning in classroom and laboratories

Supervise all employees in the Department and administer performance evaluations.

Support graduates in their efforts to secure employment or gain admission to graduate or professional schools

Collaborate with department faculty to plan the department budget; administer the budget

Serve as the Department's representative and liaison with other University offices and departments Maintain and develop public and alumni relations Collaborate with University Advancement and the Dean's office on fundraising and donor cultivation initiatives Foster diversity and inclusion Acquire full knowledge and understanding of relevant university policies, rules, and procedures to help guide faculty on decision making, policy building, budget and spending, and the tenure and promotion process

Serve on elected and appointed committees and accept other duties as assigned by the Dean

In collaboration with department faculty, the chair is responsible for recruitment, orientation, mentoring, and advisement of students, staff, and faculty Assess and recommend faculty candidates for vacant positions

Minimum Requirements:

1) a terminal degree in Communication, Mass Communication, Rhetoric or related field, with the experience and documented achievements appropriate for consideration of a tenured appointment at the rank of Full Professor; 2) a record of effective teaching, service, and scholarly activity within the candidate's area of specialization;
3) relevant academic administrative experience and respect for faculty governance; 4) a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion among students, faculty and staff; 5) a strong commitment to the college and university mission, working with and mentoring faculty and students;
6) excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, including a well-developed sense of integrity, fairness and respect for the various disciplines in the department; and
7) a commitment to fostering academic excellence.

Must meet SACSCOC accreditation requirements stated in C.S. 3.7.1 (www.sacscoc.org (faculty credentials))