Director

Director, School of Culture, Gender, and Social Justice

The University of Wyoming invites applications/nominations for the position of Director of the School of Culture, Gender, and Social Justice (SCGSJ). Formed in 2017 the SCGSJ consists of the academic degree programs in African American and Diaspora Studies, American Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies, Latina/o Studies, and Native American and Indigenous Studies. Leveraging the strengths of each of its constituent programs, and drawing upon interdisciplinary collaborations and supportive academic and community partnerships, the SCGSJ has developed a strong foundation upon which the next director can build. Accordingly, the SCGSJ seeks a visionary, experienced, and capable leader who can expand upon this success, leverage the School’s unique positionality in the rural, mountain west, and guide it forward in exciting ways as we look toward a shared future.

The SCGSJ is an interdisciplinary program consisting of faculty and students who are active researchers, community engaged scholars, and award-winning teachers. Working in conjunction with the Directors of the SCGSJ constituent programs, as well as the School’s community engaged partners, the next SCGSJ Director will help plot and execute a course of continued growth and success for the SCGSJ. Accordingly, the school seeks a dynamic leader who has a proven record of scholarship, administrative experience, and a strong commitment to interdisciplinarity, intersectionality, and social justice.

Qualifications and Duties: A terminal degree in one’s field (e.g., Ph.D., J.D. or MFA). The ability to teach core courses within one or more of the SCGSJ’s constituent programs: African American and Diaspora Studies, American Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies, Latina/o Studies, and Native American and Indigenous Studies. Expertise, illustrated by scholarship and/or teaching/or other work experience, in one or more of the following areas: race, gender, sexuality, Indigenous Studies, ethnicity, diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, or closely related fields.  A strong teaching, scholarship, and service record such that the candidate may be tenured upon appointment at the associate or full professor rank. Prior administrative experience, including managing a budget, fundraising, and developing both human and financial resources. Demonstrated organizational, management, and supervisory skills that prioritize collaborative decision making and evidence an ability to lead positive change. A demonstrated record of successfully working with and advocating for underrepresented and marginalized groups, including an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and an ability to work positively in support of the same. Strong and effective oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated and well-developed problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic planning skills. Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work well and collaboratively with a variety of groups both inside and outside of a university setting, including students, staff, faculty, community, and statewide constituents.  

The School: The School of Culture, Gender & Social Justice provides a robust, interdisciplinary, liberal arts education that is informed by the historical, social, political, and cultural forces that shape society. Unique in its hands-on, practical approach, the SCGSJ enables students to understand complex social problems in a way that prepares them to be real-world problem solvers. Upon graduation, SCGSJ students are ready to advocate for justice, capable of developing innovative solutions to society’s most difficult problems, and prepared to do transformative, collaborative, work in any field they choose. 

The University: The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a town of 31,000 in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research and outreach. The university has state-of-the-art facilities in many areas and the community provides the advantages of a major university.  Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range, a bustling group of metropolitan cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. This beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/

To Apply: Candidates should submit: a.) a letter of application—including sections on administrative approach, teaching philosophy, research agenda, and how the candidate would build relationships with constituent and stakeholder communities b.) a complete CV, c.) the names and contact information for three reference. All of the above should be submitted through the University of Wyoming online application system at this link: https://eeik.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/223064. 

Please note, only applications submitted through the online portal will be reviewed.

Questions about the position or the hiring process may be directed to Jacquelyn Bridgeman, Director of the SCGSJ and chair of the Search Committee, at jbridge@uwyo.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately, with new applications considered until the position is filled. However, to be assured of full consideration, candidates should submit materials by December 31, 2022.

The University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and University policy. To review the EEO is the Law Poster and its Supplement, please see The Diversity & Fairness page: http://www.uwyo.edu/diversity/fairness/index.html

Pursuant to Wyoming State law, W.S. 19-14-102, as amended, an honorably discharged veteran who has been a resident of the state of Wyoming for one (1) year or more at any time prior to the date when the veteran applies for employment, or any surviving spouse who was married to such veteran at the time of the veteran’s death, who is receiving federal survivor benefits based on the veteran’s military service and is applying for employment, shall receive an interview preference during the applicant screening process with the University of Wyoming. At the time of application, the applicant must possess the business capacity, competency, education or other qualifications required for the position. If disabilities do not materially interfere with performance of job duties, disabled veterans will be given preference over able-bodied veterans. Appropriate documentation of veteran status must be provided at time of application as outlined in the application process. No preference will be given to a veteran currently employed by a public department.

We conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of the background check.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources (http://www.uwyo.edu/hr/ ) at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.