Chair of the Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education

Posting Number : 2022165 Position Title : Chair of the Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education FTE : 1.0 Salary : Commensurate Job Summary / Basic Function : About This Role : Lamar University seeks a strategic, high-energy leader fluent in American Sign Language to serve as Chair of the Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, with an appointment beginning in Summer 2025. The ideal candidate will bring vision and enthusiasm to the role, fulfilling academic responsibilities including teaching, research, service, and strategic leadership within the department. The successful candidate will develop, advocate for, expand, steer, and collaborate seamlessly with students, faculty, and administration while representing the department, the College of Fine Arts & Communication, and Lamar University. The Chair will provide dynamic leadership to an active and growing department. Responsibilities encompass leadership of faculty, including recruiting faculty, interviewing, and evaluating; oversight of curriculum and assessment; management of fiscal and budgetary matters; building and inventory oversight; and research and / or creative activities within the candidate’s area of expertise. Additional duties include student recruitment, participation in departmental, college, and university events, and other service opportunities. The department chair will have a teaching assignment of the equivalent of a six-hour course each year, usually a three-hour teaching load per long semester, assigned according to expertise and experience. The Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education is a comprehensive department within the College of Fine Arts and Communication. The department offers the Bachelor of Arts in ASL (ASL-General, K-12 Teaching leading to teacher certification, or Educational Interpreter); the Master of Science degrees in Deaf Education (leading to teacher certification) and Deaf Studies; and the Doctor of Education degrees in Deaf Education and Deaf Studies. What You’ll Do – Position Responsibilities : Ensure the coordination (inclusive of program development, program revision, and continuous program improvement) of credit and non-credit programs within their department Supervise the activities of department-assigned staff and faculty Effectively assess and address students’ needs within the department Encourage scholarly and creative activities and advocates service to the college and the community Timely and professional correspondence with program managers, managing directors, partnering administrators, and other stakeholders both on and off campus Monitor and manage the financial operations of the department programs Create and implement a plan for recruitment, retention, and time towards graduation Partner with other chairs and / or directors for other programs Evaluate faculty performance and report such evaluations to the Dean and appropriate administrators, as requested Key Competencies : Leadership. Strategic thinking abilities, coupled with analytical skills to enhance organizational strategies, set goals, evaluate processes, and drive overall progress. Demonstrated ability to make innovative and informed decisions, providing effective leadership in navigating complex challenges. Finances. Manage department’s finances, such as submitting budget requests, approving expenditures, and monitoring account records, and overseeing administrative functions within the department. Responsible for the security of the department’s equipment. Students. Coordinate and oversee program directors who are responsible for recruiting, advising, and monitoring degree progress. Review student appeals and meet with students about concerns. Research. Ensure that research is conducted in accordance with regulations and policies. Promote ethical conduct in research and report any suspected misconduct. Mentor faculty in their own research agendas to lead them t obtaining tenure. Communication. Serve as the main point of contact between the department and the administration by (1) representing the department needs and interests to the administration and (2) communicating policies and procedures to the faculty and staff. Curriculum. Practical experience in revising or developing curriculum, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to continuous educational improvement. A cooperative attitude and amicable working demeanor when approaching stakeholders of the university, including, but not limited to, students, staff, faculty, administrators, Southeast Texas community, and donors. Physical Requirements : Able to lift 25 lbs and be able to perform a variety of physical tasks including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing and walking between buildings. Who We Are : Lamar University is an accessible global university for life-long learners with a passion for broad-based community engagement. As a vital contributor to the socioeconomic wellbeing and resilience of the Gulf Coast region, our expertise is recognized locally and beyond. Lamar University is home to more than 17,000 students and is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 100-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals.Lamar University is committed to fostering a culture where students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds can learn, work, and serve. Benefits : Health, dental & vision insurance Life insurance State of Texas Retirement plans Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and / or eligible dependents. Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see more information about the available benefits, please visit : [Insurance – Lamar University](https : / / www.lamar.edu / faculty-staff / human-resources / insurance.html)Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience) : An earned doctoral degree in Deaf Education, American Sign Language, Linguistics, or a closely related field Knowledge of Deaf culture and extensive personal and professional experiences within the Deaf community as well as fluency in American Sign Language Proven ability to secure grants Demonstrated level of research competency necessary to serve as a department chair and mentor untenured faculty within the department Excellence in student-centered teaching; research, publication; and service Communication skills to positively advocate for the department, college, and university both on and off campus Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience) : Proven administrative leadership skills, including oversight of a department or large program within higher education Achieved rank of Full Professor Native ASL user Ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and understanding in ASL Acquisition by L1 and L2 learners Ability to teach the following undergraduate, masters, and doctoral courses within the Department : Statistics, Research Design and Statistics I and II Courses in Psycholinguistics, Cognition, and Assessment Deaf Administration and Deaf Law Earned tenure at an institution of higher education EEO Statement : Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer Veteran's Preference : Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003. Security Sensitive Statement : This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Lamar Expectation of Quality : Employee will support the mission of Lamar by providing high quality, professional services, timely responses and solutions to customer requests. Open Date : 12 / 20 / 2024 Close Date : 03 / 20 / 2025 Special Instructions to Applicants : Candidates should provide the following documents to ensure full consideration. A letter of interest addressing administrative experience and academic leadership, as well as teaching interests / accomplishments; research, publication, scholarship and / or creative activities; and service. A current Curriculum Vitae. A one-page statement outlining the candidate’s philosophy of academic leadership. Contact information (name, address, email address, telephone number) for four current professional references. Review of applications will begin on January 31, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Please direct any questions about the position to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jeannette Fresne, at jfresnelamar.edu.Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting : [https : / / jobs.lamar.edu / postings / 15023](https : / / jobs.lamar.edu / postings / 15023)