Head and Professor - Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling

Auburn University•Auburn, AL

20d

About The Position

Auburn University is hiring a Head and Professor for its Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling. This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position beginning Fall 2027. The successful candidate will serve as the department’s unit leader, advancing its work to improve education and health through research, outreach, and teaching. The department offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs. Its programs span special education, rehabilitation and disability studies, counseling, counseling psychology, and counselor education. The department also includes the Educational to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences (EAGLES) program and participates in the statewide Auburn University Regional Autism Network. It has 28 full-time faculty members and 12 full-time staff members. As of Fall 2026, undergraduate enrollment was 242 and graduate enrollment was 171. The department is part of Auburn University’s College of Education, which includes three other academic units. The position calls for visionary, collaborative leadership of academic and administrative operations; faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation; curriculum; teaching, research, and outreach; stakeholder engagement; workplace culture; and strategic revenue generation. The department head will also contribute to college-level leadership groups and functions. Application review begins December 4, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. The appointment is continuing. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in one of the department’s program areas or a closely related discipline by the time of employment.
Record of achieving tenure and promotion to full professor at a college or university comparable to Auburn University.
Academic credentials sufficient to meet Auburn University requirements for tenure eligibility.
Distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and service.
Understanding of the unique needs, opportunities, and synergies of a unit housing both clinically focused professional programs and traditional academic programs.
Academic leadership experience at the department, school, or comparable unit level.
Demonstrated success as a collaborative leader across varied academic programs, supported by strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to support faculty success in securing and managing extramural funding.
Eligibility to work in the United States at the time of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Successful faculty and administrative leadership experience at a Carnegie R1 university.
Familiarity with the mission, culture, and opportunities associated with a land-grant university.
Understanding of the role and responsibilities of a flagship public research university.
Experience evaluating faculty and staff, overseeing budgets and personnel, and managing facilities.
Success leading or supporting complex academic, clinical, outreach, or service-oriented programs, centers, networks, or initiatives involving varied stakeholders and partnerships.
Experience with accreditation, assessment, program review, and collaborative leadership across multidisciplinary programs, units, and community-engaged enterprises.
Leadership on major externally funded research grants, particularly those involving interdisciplinary collaboration.
Experience developing and implementing faculty professional development initiatives related to teaching, research, and scholarly productivity.
Record of supporting and advancing staff professional development.
Record of strategic leadership in revenue generation and resource development.
Record of fostering a positive and collaborative work environment while representing program and personnel interests and promoting understanding of broader institutional priorities.

Responsibilities

Provide visionary and collaborative leadership for all aspects of the department.
Lead effective and efficient academic and administrative operations.
Recruit, develop, and evaluate faculty.
Oversee and facilitate curricular development, review, and revision.
Foster excellence in teaching, research, and outreach.
Represent the department’s interests, achievements, and contributions to internal and external stakeholders.
Cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment.
Advance strategic revenue-generation initiatives.
Contribute effectively to college-level leadership groups and functions.