Department Chair of Race, Ethnic, and Gender Studies and Martha Jane Phillips Starr Missouri

Hiring Department

School of Humanities and Social Sciences, The Department of Race, Ethnic & Gender Studies (REGS)

Job Description

The University of Missouri-Kansas City invites applications for the position of Department Chair in the newly formed department of Race, Ethnic & Gender Studies (REGS). This endowed position is part of a multiple, cohort hire in support of growing the emergent department and cultivating an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program that encompasses the following areas: Black Studies, Latinx & Latin American Studies, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and Intersectionality. We are seeking candidates with substantive scholarship, teaching and service in the field of Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, with preference for those with expertise/specialization in intersectionality.

Workload distribution among research, teaching, service, and administrative roles will be negotiated at the time of offer and reviewed annually. Summer chair duties are expected to ensure that the department operates efficiently and supports students, faculty and staff for summer sessions and the ensuing fall semester.

In support of our goals to be a workplace of choice and a national leader in research and scholarship, UMKC strives to assure that all individuals appointed to endowed chairs and professorships are outstanding leaders in scholarship, teaching, and service. Applicants for the Endowed position are encouraged to review UMKC’s Guidelines for Evaluation of Endowed Chairs and Professors at the following link: https://info.umkc.edu/academichiring/endowed-chairs-professorships/ .

Responsibilities include scholarly research/publishing, pursuit of extramural funding, effective teaching, and service. The successful candidate will develop and teach undergraduate courses in the new REGS Department. These courses will supplement our current degree offerings in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Department Chair duties, in addition to those usually expected, will include active participation in recruitment and retention of students, community engagement, and support for the areas encompassed in the department. The department which offers minors in Black Studies, Latinx & Latin American Studies, and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies is currently developing a comprehensive, interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program in Race, Ethnic & Gender Studies that is comprised of these, in addition to fostering intersectional exploration and understandings of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality. Moreover, UMKC’s urban location provides excellent community partnership and research opportunities across these fields of study.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications include a Ph.D. in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies or closely related field. Those who hold a doctorate degree outside of this area must demonstrate expertise in this field of study. The successful candidate should display an extensive record of scholarship/publishing, teaching and service in the field, as well as a commitment to university and community service. Moreover, those considered for the position of department chair must have demonstrated by training, experience and performance that they are capable of assuming the leadership of the department. Consistent with the importance of this position, individuals eligible for appointment are expected to meet the following qualifications:

• A full-time ranked faculty appointment at the advanced associate or full professor rank.
• Demonstrated desire to commit to the mission and goals of the department, the school and the university.
• Demonstrated desire to build partnerships with community constituents and serve as the liaison for the department in external relations.
• Demonstrated or potential for managerial, administrative or leadership experience.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion across teaching, service, and research, as well as interest in the mentorship and support of students from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities.

Full Time/Part Time

This is a 9-month, benefit-eligible, and tenure-eligible subject to expedited tenure review position. Summer administration is expected. The start date is August of 2022.

Salary

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline

Review of completed applications will begin upon receipt and for priority consideration, applications should be received by October 15, 2021.

Application Instructions

Application materials must be submitted online at http://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/ . Required materials include a) a letter of application describing teaching and research interests, b) curriculum vitae, c) evidence of teaching effectiveness, d) sample of scholarship, and e) diversity statement (in 1-2 pages, applicants should reflect on their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion). Additionally, please upload three professional letters of reference along with your application materials or have them sent directly to:

Cynthia Beard

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Department of Race, Ethnic & Gender Studies

5120 Rockhill Road, 204 Haag Hall

Kansas City, MO 64110

beardcy@umkc.edu

Comments

UMKC is the University of Missouri System and is located on a beautifully landscaped campus in the Country Club Plaza area of Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City is the heart of the Midwest with major sports teams, arts district, yet 2-3 hours from some of the best lakes, rivers, and hiking in the country. Our cost of living is low compared to east and west coasts.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor - Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of this job. If you believe you may have difficulty performing any of the duties or functions of this job, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

• EEO is the LawEnglish Version
• EEO is the LawSpanish Version
• EEO is the LawChinese Version

UMKC Statement on Diversity

UMKC values diversity as central to its mission as an urban-serving research university and as a driver of excellence in teaching and learning. UMKC embraces a broad spectrum of diversities, including race, ethnicity, culture, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, linguistic ability, learning style, religion, socioeconomic and veteran status, life experiences, educational level and family structure. For more information on our diversity mission, visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website: http://info.umkc.edu/diversity/

UMKC is the largest comprehensive, fully accredited university in the Kansas City area. Our students come from all 50 states and over 85 countries, enriching our community with diverse perspectives. With more than 125 academic areas, our students have a lot of opportunities to explore on their way to discovering and creating their perfect career. We are at the heart of a thriving urban area where the city’s life and energy influence everything that happens here. We are Kansas City’s university and we can’t wait for you to join us! Find out more about UMKC in theAbout UMKC section of our website.

Details about UMKC’s community and the benefits of being an employee can be found on ourcareers page.

REGS Department Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement : UMKC recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. To this end, the Department of Race, Ethnic & Gender Studies is committed to removing barriers that have been traditionally encountered by individuals from underrepresented groups; strives to recruit faculty who will further enrich our campus diversity; and makes every attempt to support their academic, professional and personal success while they are here. The presence and success of these faculty members enhances the educational experience of everyone. Women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For questions about the positions, please contact Toya Like at liket@umkc.edu . For questions about how to applicants apply, please call 816.235.1621. Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323.

All final candidates will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check prior to position start date.

UMKC’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to UMKC’s mission as an urban-serving institution. Kansas City is a particularly diverse city, including African, African American, Asian, Latino, Italian, Irish, German, Native American, Slavic, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern communities. Such ethnic diversity, in addition to our thriving neighborhoods of the Westside, Northeast Kansas City, and the Eastside, fosters creativity, connection, and innovation, which is showcased across the region. Major attractions such as the Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Filipino Cultural Center, the American Jazz Museum, Guadalupe Centers and Mattie Rhodes and Kansas City Irish Fest are a small sample of the many ways our diverse city enriches us.

For the reasons enumerated above, UMKC’s strategic plan prioritizes our commitment to multiculturalism, globalism, diversity and inclusion. The university’s values call upon its faculty, staff, students, and community to position themselves as global citizens who seek out, embrace, and celebrate the many benefits of diversity. Such commitment is demonstrated across teaching, service and research. We welcome applicants to share in our commitment to these core values and know that you will quickly understand learn the beauty of calling Kansas City your home.

Please visit these pages to learn more about UMKC’s engagement in diversity, equity and inclusion:

• Roos Advocate for Community Change
• The Division of Diversity and Inclusion
• Annual Report