Human Resources

Summary

Michigan Technological University, Department of Social Sciences invites applications for the position of department chair. Applicants for the position are required to be an Associate or Full Professor.

Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a sense of belonging and contributing to an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply, see Belonging.

Successful candidates will be expected to be an established scholar and motivated leader committed to innovative research and scholarship, applied teaching methods, and professional excellence to promote our dynamic interdisciplinary department. Successful applicants will demonstrate high achievement in teaching, research, and service; experience managing personnel and finances, including external funding; experience developing and/or evaluating curricula; and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. A Ph.D. in a field that articulates with our Department of Social Sciences is required.

The Department of Social Sciences takes a collaborative approach to addressing socioeconomic, technological, cultural, and environmental change to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. Our faculty are institutional leaders in action-based learning, applied inquiry, and community-engaged research. We offer graduate programs in Environmental & Energy Policy (MS and PhD), Industrial Heritage & Archaeology (MS and PhD), and Sustainable Communities (MS). The department's undergraduate majors include Anthropology, History, Policy & Community Development (incl. concentrations in Health, Law, or Environment), Social Sciences (including a concentration in Policy, Law & Society), and Sustainability Science & Society. Candidates must articulate how their areas of specialization and professional experience will contribute to and enhance these research and teaching strengths.

Strong candidates will demonstrate experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and working effectively within a structure of shared governance. Other desirable experiences include peer and student mentoring; program development in general education and curricula that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; previous collaboration or experience with STEM programs in higher education; and alumni relations and fundraising. Prior administrative and/or leadership experience in higher education is also desired.

Responsibilities 

● Provide leadership in achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service.
● Promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department and the curriculum.
● Manage the department’s resources (financial, personnel, space, and equipment) effectively to achieve long and short-term goals.
● Conduct performance reviews, and make recommendations on reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
● Advance the strategic plans of the Department in alignment with those of the College and University.
● Recruit, develop, and retain a strong departmental faculty and staff through active mentoring, and strategic hiring.
● Actively promote the success and retention of the department's students, faculty, and staff.
● Collaborate with the dean and the University’s Office of Advancement to identify key priorities for fundraising and effectively engage with alumni and others.
● Consistently communicate information about issues, opportunities, and achievements in the department to the dean and other chairs.
● Integrate safety practices into daily activities and commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

● PhD that articulates with the fields represented within our Department of Social Sciences

Required Experience

● Current rank of at least Associate Professor.
● Demonstrated success in collaborating with colleagues across multiple disciplines.
● Leadership in graduate and/or undergraduate program administration and/or curricular development.
● Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
● Experience managing organizational budgets.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

● Demonstrated scholarly record for promotion to Full Professor at Michigan Tech.
● Successful record in obtaining, facilitating, and/or managing external funding
● Experience in interdisciplinary programs or in transdisciplinary scholarship
● Experience working effectively within a structure of shared governance
● Experience in educational program development, especially in general education
● Experience with curricula that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion
● Experience working in institutions with STEM units

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● An area of specialization that enhances the Department's research and teaching strengths
● Demonstrated excellence in their field of research
● Demonstrated excellence in teaching
● Demonstrated experience advising, retaining, and graduating students at the graduate level
● Strong communication skills

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Alumni relations and fundraising
● Working with people from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting where the noise level is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. This is not an E-Verified Position.

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

11 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Title of Position Supervisor

College Dean

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

For full consideration, complete application packages should be received by December 2, 2024.

Interested candidates should complete the online application (link below) and upload the required materials, including: (1) a letter of interest, (2) Curriculum Vitae, (3) a statement of organizational leadership philosophy, and (4) a teaching and research statement.

We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech. 

Finalists will be asked to provide names and contact information for three references.

You can find out more about this position, including where to submit your materials electronically at https://www.employment.mtu.edu/cw/en-us/job/493736/department-chair-social-sciences.    Please direct inquiries to Dr. Steven A. Walton at sawalton@mtu.edu or (906) 487-3272

Additional Information

Michigan Tech is Michigan’s flagship technological university and will be a Carnegie classified R1 institution in 2025. The university provides its graduates with an extremely high return on investment through its academic rigor and focus on experiential learning. Located in Houghton, in the heart of Upper Michigan's scenic Keweenaw Peninsula, the university is just a few miles from Lake Superior. The surrounding area is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities throughout the year.

Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting faculty members' partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews will be invited to bring a guest. Additional details on our Partner Engagement Program can be found at www.mtu.edu/provost/programs/partner-engagement/.

Michigan Tech is proud to be an ADVANCE Institution that has thrice received National Science Foundation support to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM.