Working Title: Academic Unit Head for Department of Graduate Psychology

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Department: 100509 - Department of Graduate Psychology

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 12/16/2024

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Department of Graduate Psychology in the College of Health and Behavioral Studies at James Madison University invites applications for the position of Academic Unit Head. This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty appointment at the Associate/Full Professor rank. The Department Head reports to the Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies.

The mission of the Department of Graduate Psychology is to transform students into outstanding practitioners and scholars of psychology. We work to create a community that celebrates diversity and creativity, and one that values learning, scholarship, and service to others. The department is composed of multiple graduate programs, many of which are accredited. The department is described on the website at: https://www.jmu.edu/chbs/gradpsyc/index.shtml

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include providing visionary and collaborative leadership in a variety of endeavors, including instruction, extramural funding, department governance, faculty development, program assessment, curriculum planning, community outreach, and advocacy for the department both within and beyond the University. The Academic Unit Head will collaborate with other academic units in the College and with the Dean’s office, working towards the College strategic goals. Other responsibilities include teaching within the department, research productivity, and service at the department, college, and university levels.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
A doctoral degree in a discipline related to the department’s existing academic portfolio. Candidates must have a demonstrated scholarly record commensurate with an associate/full professor faculty level. Successful candidates are expected to provide evidence of effective administrative and leadership experience, graduate level teaching experience, and familiarity with a variety of teaching modalities.

Preferred Qualifications:
• understanding and appreciation of the full range of psychology and counseling subdisciplines, including practice and research; a visionary perspective regarding future directions of these disciplines.
• exceptional skills in communication, interpersonal relations and personnel management, providing developmental feedback and support to faculty to promote growth.
• an ability to work collaboratively within the department, college, and university and to advance relationships with off-campus constituencies; this includes collaboration with various clinics and centers including the Center for Assessment & Research (CARS).
• excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional service, including commitment to and enactment of inclusive excellence across these dimensions of work.
• effective advocacy for internal and external resources, including the pursuit of external grants and funding, to support the endeavors of the department and its faculty, staff, and students.
• long-range planning skills.
• competence in budget management and management of other resources and activities.
• recognition within the professional community at regional, national, and/or international levels.
• experience with external accreditation body expectations and assessment processes.

Additional Posting Information:

The Search Committee will initiate the review of applications on December 16, 2024. The anticipated starting date for the position is July 1, 2025.

A complete application will include: 1) cover letter (no more than 3 pages) that: highlights the candidate's qualifications; outlines their leadership experience and philosophy; summarizes experience with or support for initiatives related to inclusive excellence; and describes commitment to and experience with graduate teaching; 2) condensed curriculum vitae (no more than 10 pages); 3) name and contact information for three professional references (only contacted after first alerting candidate).

First-round finalists will be invited to a virtual interview. Finalists will visit campus for a two-day interview process.

The Department of Graduate Psychology is a thriving academic unit with 31 full-time faculty members and approximately 180 master’s-level, specialist, and doctoral students in three doctoral, two master’s, three master’s/Ed.S., and two certificate programs. The Graduate Psychology department values excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional service. Faculty engage in a variety of pedagogical approaches to meet student needs, both on campus and online. The department offers innovative academic programs which receive national and international attention, and faculty members are recognized as leaders in graduate psychology education and training. As part of its mission, the department provides mental health services to local communities and schools. Graduate Psychology faculty members conduct scholarship, which demonstrates a commitment to collaboration, evidenced by publications and presentations which are co-authored by students. Finally, the department supports numerous clinics and centers which provide learning experiences for students, research opportunities for faculty, and services for the community.
The Department of Graduate Psychology seeks to create:
• An inclusive community of faculty, staff and students diverse in a variety of different ways;
• an environment of mutual respect, relying on an open exchange of ideas, perspectives, and worldviews;
• an environment free from harassment and discrimination;
• an environment where diversity and multicultural elements are incorporated into the curriculum; and one that encourages diversity-related scholarship, service and practice;
• a community of culturally competent teachers and practitioners who are sensitive to the unique characteristics and needs of diverse populations.

The College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS) includes a diverse portfolio of academic units, highlighting academic programs needed for our state, region, and country. Both undergraduate and graduate education in these growing and essential fields represent the promise of outstanding accomplishments by CHBS faculty and students. The College has a long-standing commitment to preparing future professionals for collaborative, interprofessional and interdisciplinary practice in varied settings. Likewise, our Academic Unit Heads work collaboratively within and across units and the university. Additionally, the College is working to identify and dismantle oppressive racist and discriminatory policies, practices, and processes while advancing inclusive excellence and promoting a CHBS culture in which every member can flourish. We are especially interested in qualified candidates with a demonstrated commitment towards building equitable and inclusive environments. Consider joining us in achieving our goal of continuing to grow as a diverse college that embodies an atmosphere of belonging.

Inquiries for further information should be directed to Douglas Hochstetler, Search Committee Chair, hochstdr@imu.edu, (540)568-4434. Requested materials should be submitted electronically via JMU’s application system at https://jobs.jmu.edu/

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.