What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nutrition & Family Sciences - Department Chair position at University of Central Arkansas?
Position Summary
The University of Central Arkansas Department Chair is responsible for leadership in the academic department, teaching, research, and service. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency / institution policy. The position is tenured or tenure track (depending on eligibility) and a twelve-month appointment. Job Duties and Responsibilities We are looking for a proven leader who possesses a background in one or more of the disciplines within Nutrition and Family Sciences, is committed to excellence in education and research, and can work effectively with a variety of stakeholders. The Chair will foster a collaborative, inclusive, and transparent environment to promote and define overall strategic interests and growth within the Department.
Housed in the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences (CHBS), the Department offers 5 undergraduate degrees : Dietetics, Nutrition Science, Community Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science (FCS), and FCS Education. The Department also offers 2 master’s degrees : FCS and Nutrition, a Graduate Program in Dietetics & Nutrition Therapy, and an FCS minor. The Department currently consists of 10 full-time faculty, an administrative assistant, and several part-time adjunct faculty. Typically, the Department is home to 250-300 undergraduate majors, 250 minors, and 50-60 graduate students. More department information can be found at : https : / / uca.edu / nfs / .
- Provide strategic leadership to cultivate a visionary future for the department, including fostering collaboration and facilitating faculty-shared governance
- Play a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for innovation, inspiration, and sustained growth in the department
- Lead departmental short-term and long-term strategic planning for administration, research, teaching, practice management, and community service as well as provide administrative oversight to all programs
- Foster a culture that promotes diversity, belonging, equity, and inclusion and that supports faculty, students, and staff to reach their full potential
- Manage financial and physical resources responsibly to maximize the effectiveness of those resources, exhibit fiscal discipline and transparency, and utilize best fiscal management practices
- Work collaboratively and transparently with the NFS leadership team of program directors, faculty, staff, and stakeholders in all aspects of departmental initiatives, operations, challenges, and opportunities
- Represent and advocate for departmental faculty, staff, students, and programs
- Facilitate mentoring of junior faculty, and evaluate faculty and staff annually
- Communicate with transparency and clarity all aspects of departmental initiatives, operations, and challenges and opportunities with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders
- Instill an outcomes-focused methodology in teaching, service, and scholarship, engaging stakeholders, including community partners, for collective success
- Foster a nurturing and stimulating atmosphere that supports the professional and personal growth of faculty, staff, and students
- Recruit faculty, staff, and students to attract, develop, and retain a team that exhibits and values excellence
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Excellent communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills Skills Considered Essential for Success -Knowledge of the organization and administration of higher education.
Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement appropriate for a tenure-track faculty member Preferred Education and / or Experience Demonstrated commitment to promoting inclusive excellence
Demonstrated experience with online education
Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement appropriate for a tenured faculty member License(s) / Certifications (Required or Preferred)
