Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design (CTD) Chair

Position Summary

The Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design (CTD) at The University of Alabama (UA) is seeking applications for the position of Department Chair. The CTD Department has vibrant and productive faculty, with 14 full-time faculty members and robust student enrollment and program offerings. The successful candidate will have administrative experience and a strong record of academic achievement to lead thriving undergraduate and graduate programs, including Apparel and Textiles (with concentrations in Fashion Retailing and Apparel Design) and Interior Design, and also supports a M.S. degree in Human Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in Clothing and Textiles. As the chief administrative officer of the Department, the Chair will:

1. Provide leadership and advocacy for teaching, research, and outreach activities that articulate the mission of the Department, College, and University.
2. Supervise budgetary and curricular decisions.
3. Mentor and support departmental faculty through promotion and advancement.
4. Encourage research and scholarly activities.
5. Instruct undergraduate and graduate-level courses when appropriate.

The CTD programs nurture creative thinkers and problem solvers with a human-centered design approach. Students participate in projects incorporating accessible, inclusive, and sustainable design criteria. Apparel design alumni obtain positions with established fashion brands such as Oscar de la Renta, Brandon Maxwell, and Macy’s. The Fashion Retailing Program is an exciting growing program whose graduates pursue various buying and merchandising positions with significant apparel manufacturers and retailers such as Donna Karan, Hermès, and Saks Fifth Avenue.  

The Interior Design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and consists of sequential learning that provides training in a critical aspect of interior design. Studios focus on residential design and healthcare, office, retail, mixed-use, institutional spaces, and a Capstone studio. It is ranked in the top 50 Interior Design schools in the U.S. and ranked by Design Intelligence as one of the “Most Hired from Interior Design Schools” 2019-2020. 

Qualifications for the Position

1. A terminal degree (PhD or equivalent, MFA, or MArch, as appropriate) in one of the fields within the Department of CTD’s programmatic areas, with 18 graduate hours earned in the discipline and academic achievement that merits appointment with tenure at the rank of associate or full professor.
2. Applicants should have successful experiences in accreditation, teaching, graduate education, a record of significant accomplishments in research, and demonstrated experience in grant, contract, or project activities.
3. Academic or administrative leadership experience (preferred) with the ability to mentor junior faculty and/or graduate students.
4. Previous experience in distance education (desirable).

Application Instructions

To apply, candidates should complete an online application at https://facultyjobs.ua.edu/postings/49710 and upload the following:

1. A letter of application (in this letter, please address how your application meets the qualifications and expectations and what you would bring to this position)
2. A current curriculum vitae
3. Transcripts of graduate coursework (attach as Other Document 1)
4. The names and full contact information for three professional references (attach as Other Document 2)

Review of applications will begin January 20, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date (negotiable): August 16, 2022.

Inquiries about the position, and nominations of candidates, may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Jeannine Lawrence at jlawrence@ches.ua.edu

UA EEO Statement

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. 
“EEO is the Law” https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf
“EEO is the Law” Poster Supplement http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf