Director, Associate/Full Professor, African American Studies Program

Applications are being accepted for a dynamic scholar and visionary leader with a Ph.D. in any field related to African American Studies to serve as Director of the African American Studies Program at the University of South Carolina (UofSC). The appointment will be at the rank of Full or Associate Professor, tenurable in a department within the College of Arts and Sciences. The position will begin August 16, 2022.

The UofSC African American Studies Program (http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/afra/) is a vibrant interdisciplinary unit that centers the academic study of Black experiences, histories, and cultures. Now in its 50th year on campus, the program offers a B.A. degree and an undergraduate minor, as well as cross-listed courses available to undergraduate and graduate students. The curriculum is led by award-winning core faculty with coursework across the humanities and social sciences, including specializations in African American literature, poetry, and comics, Black activism and political thought, music, modern dance, criminal justice, psychology, and anthropology. In addition, the program houses the Institute for African American Research, which facilitates scholarly initiatives and supports the intellectual life at the University.

The Director provides academic and administrative leadership within African American Studies. Candidates should have a strong record of scholarly achievement and teaching excellence commensurate with appointment as a tenured professor. Qualifications should include administrative expertise and the demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students, consistent with the expectations and mission of a Research 1 University. The successful candidate will share the college’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Director will work alongside a team of committed faculty and staff to continue to build the African American Studies curriculum, to connect our students with experiential learning opportunities and internships, and to strengthen our collaborations with campus and community partners. The Director will also have the opportunity to expand the program’s mission as it seeks departmental status and prepares to launch the next 50 years at UofSC as a tenure-granting unit.

Applications and Nominations: All applicants must fill out an online application through the University’s employment system: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/107036 Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV, a writing sample of no more than 25 pages, and contact information for a minimum of three references. References will only be contacted for candidates on the short list. Review of applicants will begin on December 1st and continue until the position is filled. Nominations and any questions about the search should be sent to Dr. Tracey Weldon at WELDONT@mailbox.sc.edu, with the subject line “AFAM search”.

As the largest college at the UofSC, the College of Arts and Sciences is the intellectual, artistic, scientific, and instructional heart of the university. The college is home to award-winning scientists, scholars and teachers that span the arts, humanities, natural science, and social science disciplines. The college's 26 schools, departments, academic programs, and institutes offer 109 degrees to over 8,700 undergraduates and more than 850 graduate students.  College faculty are consistently recognized both nationally and internationally for teaching and research excellence. 

The UofSC’s main campus is located in Columbia, the state capital, close to the mountains and the coast. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has designated the UofSC as one of only 73 public and 35 private academic institutions with “very high research activity” and also lists the UofSC as having strong focus on community engagement. The University has over 31,000 students on the main campus (and over 46,000 students system-wide), more than 450 degree programs, and a nationally ranked library system that includes one of the nation’s largest public film archives. Columbia is the center of a greater metropolitan area which has a population over 800,000.

The UofSC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are especially encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.