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

James Madison University•Harrisonburg, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, part of James Madison University's College of Arts and Letters, is seeking 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. This is a 12-month tenured appointment as Academic Unit Head (AUH), also known as department chair, with a 1-1 teaching load, beginning July 1, 2027. The School has approximately 40 full- and part-time faculty members and 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 program's curriculum focuses on critical rhetorical awareness, ethical considerations of emerging technologies, and practical workplace experience through internships and client collaborations. The College of Arts and Letters enrolls over 3,100 undergraduate and 150 graduate students across ten academic units and supports the teacher-scholar model, encouraging interdisciplinary 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.
Demonstrate the ability to foster a welcoming, supportive culture and support a wide range of perspectives.
Demonstrate the ability to 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.
Provide 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.