SMU 26-27 #00005738 - Professor of History and Department Chair

Southern Methodist University•Dallas, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is seeking an accomplished scholar and academic leader to serve as Chair of the Department of History. This role involves a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor, beginning August 1, 2027. The Department of History is a dynamic community focused on research, teaching, and service, with robust programs for majors and minors, and a strong PhD program in United States history. The department also offers MAs in US and Global history and collaborates with the Clements Center for Southwest Studies and the Center for Presidential History. The university provides access to significant archival collections. The next chair will have the opportunity to advance the department's academic mission and long-term vision by working with faculty, students, college leadership, and university partners. SMU is a private research university in Dallas, Texas, with approximately 12,000 students, offering small classes, research opportunities, and an intellectually engaging education. Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences is the academic core of SMU, committed to advancing knowledge and providing a rigorous liberal arts education. The Dallas-Fort Worth region offers a vibrant environment for faculty.

Requirements

Earned Ph.D.
Distinguished record of scholarly achievement commensurate with appointment at the rank of tenured Professor.
Distinguished record of research, scholarship, or creative achievement in the field of history.
Demonstrated academic leadership and administrative experience.
Demonstrated excellence in advising and mentoring graduate students, including doctoral students, and interest in making significant contributions to the department’s graduate program.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level.
A record of effective faculty collaboration and shared governance.
The ability to articulate a compelling vision for the future of the department.
The interpersonal and organizational skills necessary to lead an academic department effectively.

Nice To Haves

Experience in interdisciplinary research.
Experience in program development.
Experience in securing external funding.
Experience in faculty recruitment.
Experience in strategic academic planning.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for the department.
Collaboratively build and implement an ambitious vision for the department's academic and scholarly future.
Support excellence in research, graduate education, and undergraduate education.
Identify strategic priorities for faculty hiring and program development in collaboration with faculty and the Dean.
Advocate effectively for the department and represent it within the College and University.
Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty, support their professional development, and encourage external funding opportunities.
Oversee departmental budgets, resources, personnel, and academic programs in collaboration with college leadership.
Foster a collegial, inclusive, and intellectually vibrant departmental culture.
Encourage interdisciplinary research and collaboration within Dedman College and across SMU.
Engage constructively with students and contribute to the broader educational mission of SMU.