Chair of the Department of Health Sciences CoHP 2026-2027

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley•Edinburg, TX

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About The Position

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invites nominations and applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Health Sciences. Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Health Professions, within the Division of Health Affairs, the department chair provides strategic leadership, fosters academic excellence, and ensures alignment with the goals of the College of Health Professions and the broader university. This plays a critical role in advancing the department's mission in teaching, research, service, and community engagement. The college seeks a dynamic leader who will collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to foster a culture of excellence. UTRGV was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas and is the second-largest Hispanic-serving institution in the United States. The majority of its students are bilingual and bicultural. UTRGV is located in a growing, vibrant region on the border with Mexico, which boasts many diverse cultural, ecological, and recreational activities. UTRGV is establishing a Division of Health Affairs to help grow UT Health RGV and ensure the participation of all health-related programs and create a stronger framework for collaboration and impact among health-related programs. The goal is for the division to boost interdisciplinary learning, enhance patient care, and support UT Health RGV's growing clinical services, including the upcoming Cancer & Surgery Center and Diabetes Center of Excellence. The Division of Health Affairs aligns the Schools of Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, Nursing, Optometry (launching in 2027, pending accreditation), and the College of Health Professions. The Department of Health Sciences is a dynamic academic unit dedicated to preparing professionals to work in the health science associated fields. The Department of Health Sciences currently has 5 full-time (tenure-track and non-tenured) faculty teaching in the program and over 3,500 students enrolled. Providing coursework at both the Edinburg and Brownsville teaching sites as well as online coursework the Department of Health Sciences prides itself on preparing students to advance health, improve outcomes, and lead compassionate, innovative care across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond Leadership Role of the Chair The chair of the department serves as the academic and administrative leader. This role requires visionary leadership, strategic planning, and a commitment to advancing the mission of the university and the College of Health Professions.

Requirements

Have an earned doctorate in Health Science or similar (e.g., Public Health, Health Education, Health Promotion, or Healthcare Administration.
Be a tenured associate professor or higher.
Have a demonstrated commitment to student success and satisfaction.
Have strong organizational and management skills
Have experience with faculty governance.
Have a demonstrated ability to secure grants and external funding.
Have a proven record of scholarship and current knowledge of the state of the field.

Nice To Haves

Tenured, full professor.
Experience as chair, assistant chair, or program director.
Experience at a Carnegie classified R1 doctoral university - high research activity - or higher.
Experience and/or knowledge of distributed campus models.
Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic academic leadership to advance the department's mission in teaching, research, and service, with a focus on innovation, excellence, and impact.
Drive enrollment growth at all levels.
Champion research development, fostering a culture of inquiry and scholarship that supports UTRGV's goal of achieving R1 status as designated by the Carnegie Commission.
Cultivate a collaborative and inclusive academic community, promoting shared governance, transparency, and mutual respect among faculty, staff, and students.
Lead the department's administrative operations, including budget management, policy enforcement, and resource allocation to support strategic priorities.
Recruit, retain, and mentor high-quality faculty and staff, supporting their professional development and fostering a culture of academic excellence.
Oversee faculty evaluation, promotion, and development processes, ensuring alignment with university standards and best practices in higher education.
Strengthen external partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations, enhancing the department's visibility and impact within the university and broader community.
Advance curricular innovation and student success initiatives, ensuring academic programs are responsive to evolving professional and societal needs.
Foster effective communication and conflict resolution, addressing concerns and promoting a positive and productive academic climate.
Engage stakeholders in shaping the department's direction, including faculty, students, alumni, community partners, and university leadership.
Maintain an active role in teaching (with a reduced load), research, and service, modeling the values of academic engagement and leadership.