Academic Unit Head, School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication

James Madison University•Harrisonburg, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, part of the College of Arts and Letters, is a vibrant, stand-alone writing department with approximately 40 full- and part-time faculty members. The program offers B.A. and B.S. degrees, a minor, and an M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. It also plays a significant role in the university’s General Education Program, delivering over 150 sections of first-year writing annually. The curriculum is innovative, focusing on critical rhetorical awareness in user-centered text creation and consumption, navigating ethical complexities of emerging technologies, and providing hands-on workplace experience through required internships and client collaborations. The department is within JMU’s College of Arts and Letters, which serves over 3,100 undergraduate majors and about 150 graduate students across ten academic units. The college supports interdisciplinary centers and institutes, promotes the teacher-scholar model, and welcomes scholars and teachers interested in cross-disciplinary work.

Requirements

Hold a Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Technical Communication, or Writing Studies (or a related field with substantial graduate coursework in a Writing Studies field).
Have attained the rank of advanced Associate or Full Professor, with a record of teaching and research achievement meriting consideration of tenure upon appointment.
Demonstrate the ability to facilitate collaborative leadership in advancing programmatic vision.
Foster a welcoming, supportive culture and support a wide range of perspectives.
Communicate with transparency and clarity.

Nice To Haves

Support faculty teaching, research, and creative scholarship in the academic unit.
Implement university and departmental policies.
Collaborate with colleagues within and beyond the academic unit.
Identify emerging program needs and opportunities and engage in strategic planning and implementation.
Manage enrollment and foster growth in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Advocate for departmental needs in the evolving landscape of higher education.

Responsibilities

Serve as a faculty advocate with a strong and continuing record of research and teaching experience consistent with appointment at the level of advanced Associate or Full Professor at an R2 institution.
Provide 12-month tenured appointment with a 1-1 teaching load, beginning July 1, 2027.
Facilitate collaborative leadership in advancing programmatic vision.
Foster a welcoming, supportive culture and support a wide range of perspectives.
Communicate with transparency and clarity.
Support faculty teaching, research, and creative scholarship in the academic unit.
Implement university and departmental policies.
Collaborate with colleagues within and beyond the academic unit.
Identify emerging program needs and opportunities and engage in strategic planning and implementation.
Manage enrollment and foster growth in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Advocate for departmental needs in the evolving landscape of higher education.