Cordell and Ava Haymon Endowed Chair of Music Therapy & Associate or Full Professor of Music

Louisiana State University

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Louisiana State University invites applications for the position of the Cordell and Ava Haymon Endowed Chair of Music Therapy, an endowed, tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership for LSU's rapidly growing Music Therapy program within the School of Music in the College of Music & Dramatic Arts (CMDA). This endowed position offers a rare opportunity to lead the first music therapy degree program established at a public university in Louisiana and to shape the future of music therapy education, research, and clinical practice across the state and the Gulf South. Established through the generosity of the Haymon family, whose multigenerational commitment has been instrumental in advancing music therapy at LSU, the endowed chair provides significant annual resources to support innovative research, instructional excellence, clinical partnerships, faculty and student development, and strategic program growth. LSU welcomed its inaugural Bachelor of Music Therapy cohort in Fall 2023. With a strong undergraduate curriculum now established, the program is poised for its next phase of growth, including expanded enrollment, transformative clinical partnerships, externally funded research, and the development of graduate education opportunities. Situated within a Carnegie R1 research university, the Chair will play a central role in defining a long-term vision for the program while expanding access to high-quality music therapy education and services in a region where such opportunities remain limited. The Chair reports to the Director of the School of Music and will collaborate extensively across LSU's expanding research and healthcare enterprise, including LSU Health New Orleans, LSU Health Shreveport, the LSU AgCenter, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and partners throughout the healthcare, education, and community sectors. These collaborations create exceptional opportunities to advance interdisciplinary research and clinical innovation in areas such as cancer care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, integrative medicine, survivorship, symptom management, and healthcare equity. Located in a state internationally recognized for its rich and diverse musical heritage, LSU provides a distinctive environment where music serves as both a defining cultural force and a powerful vehicle for health, healing, and community engagement. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build a nationally recognized program that advances scholarship, transforms clinical practice, and strengthens the role of music therapy in improving health and well-being throughout Louisiana, the Gulf South, and beyond.

Requirements

Earned doctorate (Ph.D., DMA, or equivalent terminal degree) in Music Therapy or a closely related discipline with a demonstrated focus on music therapy.
Board Certification in Music Therapy (MT-BC) or equivalent professional credential.
Eligibility for appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
Demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching.
Evidence of mastery of professional music therapy competencies and advanced clinical practice.
Experience developing clinical partnerships in medical, educational, behavioral health or community settings.
Record of scholarly achievement, including peer-reviewed publications and other evidence of sustained research activity.
Demonstrated ability to mentor student scholarship.

Nice To Haves

Establish national or international reputation in music therapy research, clinical practice, education or leadership.
Experience working with a research-intensive university environment.
Experience pursuing federal funding opportunities, including NIH or related agencies.
Experience supervising music therapy clinical training programs and overseeing internship or practicum experiences.
Record of interdisciplinary collaboration involving healthcare, psychology, education, neuroscience, rehabilitation, public health or related fields.
Leadership in local, regional, national, or international professional organizations.
Leadership in program development, enrollment growth, accreditation or strategic planning.

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership for LSU's Music Therapy program, including strategic planning, program development, faculty leadership, accreditation, and oversight of clinical education and operations.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in music therapy while mentoring students, supervising clinical training, and ensuring excellence in professional preparation.
Lead a nationally recognized program of scholarship by advancing innovative, externally funded research and maintaining a distinguished national and international reputation in music therapy.
Cultivate interdisciplinary partnerships across LSU's health, research, and clinical enterprise to expand music therapy research, clinical practice, and community engagement.
Develop and sustain clinical affiliations with healthcare systems, community organizations, and regional partners to enhance experiential learning and expand access to music therapy services.
Recruit, mentor, and support faculty and students in fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-achieving academic environment.
Provide leadership in university governance and professional service, contributing to departmental, college, university, and national initiatives that advance the field of music therapy.
Represent LSU and the Music Therapy program through professional organizations, public engagement, and partnerships that elevate the university's leadership in music therapy education, research, and clinical innovation.