Associate/Full Professor and Department Head (Political Science)

Texas A&M University System•Prairie View, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Prairie View A&M University seeks an accomplished, collaborative scholar-leader to serve as Associate or Full Professor and Department Head of Political Science, beginning Fall 2027. As the leader of the newly established Department of Political Science, the Department Head will shape its strategic vision and academic identity while advancing excellence in teaching, research, faculty and staff development, student recruitment and success, civic engagement, and public impact. The role also includes developing academic and interdisciplinary programs, expanding research and external funding, cultivating government and community partnerships, supporting experiential learning and career preparation, engaging alumni and advancement efforts, and strengthening the department’s regional and national visibility. The successful candidate must be tenure-eligible upon arrival. The salary is determined in accordance with the University’s compensation structure and will be commensurate with the candidates’ education and experience, within the assigned salary range for this position.

Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in Political Science or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
At least three years of progressively responsible academic administrative experience, such as service as a department head or chair, program coordinator, center director, associate chair, associate dean, or in a comparable academic leadership role.
At least 2 years of administrative experience.
A record of teaching, research, scholarship, and service that meets the University’s requirements for appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
Evidence of effective leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Four or more years of progressively responsible academic administrative or comparable leadership experience, including roles such as department head/chair, associate chair, or academic program director.
Experience leading the development, transformation, or strategic planning of an academic department, program, or organizational unit.
Experience managing academic budgets and using data to guide planning, assessment, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
Experience leading curriculum development, academic program review, and the creation of new academic programs or credentials.
Demonstrated success in student recruitment, retention, enrollment management, and degree completion.
A record of securing or supporting external grants, contracts, philanthropic gifts, or other funding.
Experience fostering interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Responsibilities

Lead an all-encompassing process for developing and implementing a shared strategic vision for the department. Establish departmental goals, priorities, performance indicators, and assessment processes aligned with the strategic plans of the College and University.
Provide leadership for curriculum development, academic program review, assessment, and continuous improvement. Identify opportunities for new degree programs, minors, certificates, concentrations, micro credentials, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Ensure the quality, relevance, and integrity of the department’s academic programs and course offerings. Promote innovation in teaching, learning, civic engagement, experiential education, and the appropriate use of emerging technologies.
Recruit, retain, support, and mentor a high-performing faculty. Foster excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, service, and community engagement. Support faculty efforts to publish scholarly work, develop research collaborations, secure external funding, and increase their professional visibility.
Administer faculty evaluation, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review processes in accordance with University policies. Develop strategies for faculty succession, leadership development, and long-term departmental capacity.
Lead strategies to strengthen student recruitment, enrollment, retention, academic progression, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes. Use enrollment, course-demand, academic-performance, and student-success data to inform decision-making.
Expand opportunities for internships, undergraduate research, experiential learning, civic engagement, study away, conference participation, and career preparation. Strengthen pathways for transfer students and relationships with community colleges and other educational partners, as appropriate.
Maintain an active and externally funded research program aligned with the department’s mission and disciplinary standards. Publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals and present research at professional conferences.
Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research, scholarship, and creative activity. Advance a departmental research agenda that builds upon faculty expertise and addresses significant public, political, governmental, legal, and societal issues. Support faculty scholarship and encourage interdisciplinary research across the College and University.
Encourage and support faculty efforts to secure grants, contracts, fellowships, and other forms of sponsored funding. Promote opportunities for faculty-student research collaboration.
Identify opportunities for research partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, educational institutions, and community partners.
Provide effective and responsible oversight of the department’s budget, personnel, course schedule, and other resources.
Develop annual budget requests and allocate departmental resources transparently and strategically. Ensure that faculty and staff assignments support academic priorities, student needs, and efficient departmental operations.
Oversee departmental records, reports, assessments, reviews, and required institutional submissions.
Collaborate with the Dean and other college leaders on budgeting, hiring, planning, assessment, and strategic initiatives. Evaluate progress toward departmental goals and make data-informed adjustments as needed.
Build productive relationships with alumni, donors, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, professional associations, and community partners.
Collaborate with college and university advancement professionals to identify fundraising priorities and cultivate philanthropic support. Develop partnerships that create internships, research opportunities, employment pathways, and professional experiences for students.
Raise the visibility of the department’s academic programs, faculty expertise, student achievements, research, and community contributions. Promote the department to prospective students, families, alumni, partners, and supporters.
Performs other duties as assigned.