Faculty, Cybersecurity Department Chair - School of Computing Program

Lipscomb University seeks an experienced and visionary leader who shares the University’s values to serve as the Chair of our Cybersecurity Department. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding the department's academic direction, teaching upper division courses, leading research initiatives, mentoring students, and maintaining strong relationships with industry partners.

The School of Computing within Lipscomb’s Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Lipscomb University seeks qualified candidates for a tenure-track position with the rank of  Associate Professor beginning August 2025. This individual will serve as the Chair of our Cybersecurity Department. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding the department's academic direction, teaching upper division courses, leading research initiatives, mentoring students, and maintaining strong relationships with industry partners.. Successful candidates should have a Ph.D. in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or a closely related field, along with a minimum of five years of relevant work experience (either in industry or research) and a demonstrated ability to teach at the undergraduate level. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, a commitment to mentoring students, and a passion for fostering a collaborative academic environment within Lipscomb’s faith-based community. Experience teaching undergraduate courses in cybersecurity computer science (or a closely related field) is required.  Our priority is to find an individual dedicated to inspiring and guiding students while helping them grow and develop into ethical, mature, and accomplished practitioners of this discipline.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Administration

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for the growth and development of the department, aligning its goals with the university's mission and vision
• Provide leadership and oversight for full time and adjunct cybersecurity faculty
• Oversee curriculum development and program assessment to ensure relevance and quality
• Manage the departmental budget and resources effectively
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty members
• Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration within the institution in partnership with other academic departments as well as information technology services

Academic Excellence

• Effectively and enthusiastically teach courses in cybersecurity at the undergraduate level
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in teaching and research
• Model exemplary professional development standards by staying current with emerging trend, technologies, and certifications in the field of cybersecurity

External Relations

• Develop and maintain partnerships with industry, government agencies, and other academic institutions
• Represent the department at conferences, workshops, and other professional events
• Participate in student recruitment efforts and alumni engagement activities

Program Development

• Lead the development and implementation of new academic programs in cybersecurity
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and oversee the accreditation process, specifically to lead the University to an NSF CAE-CD Designation
• Advocate for resources to support departmental growth and innovation

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and research in cybersecurity
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in higher education, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Qualifications Strongly Preferred:

• Industry experience in cybersecurity
• Strong publication record and history of securing external funding
• Experience with ABET or other relevant accreditation processes
• Track record of successful interdisciplinary collaboration
• Familiarity with emerging areas such as AI in cybersecurity, quantum computing, or IoT security