Department Chair - World Languages and Cultures

Home Department: College of Arts & Sciences

Employment Type: Tenure Track Faculty

Appointment: Faculty (12-month)

Primary Function:

The Department of World Language and Cultures is positioned within the College of Arts and Sciences, which is the largest of the University's four colleges. Approximately 195 full-time faculty teach 3,000 students in thirteen departments, with majors encompassing the arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, sciences and mathematics, fine and performing arts, and select professional programs.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures (WLC) is central to the Liberal Arts mission of Georgia College, encouraging and cultivating literary, linguistic and intercultural competence, academic achievement, critical thinking, and a broader understanding of global issues. WLC offers instruction in languages, literature, and cultures in the classroom and beyond. We also offer study abroad programs, a state of the art language lab, conversation tables, community outreach activities, and honor societies for outstanding French and Spanish students. The new BA in World Languages and Cultures at Georgia College has been designed to provide students with well-developed cognitive and communication skills and with a broad knowledge base that will enable students to pursue additional studies at the graduate level or to enter the job market in positions that demand the ability to communicate effectively, to reason critically, and to solve problems successfully, in more than one language and in a variety of cultural contexts. In today's rapidly increasing global economy, students may use foreign language study to add a valuable international dimension to numerous career opportunities in education, business, economics, government work, journalism, law, medicine, computer science, and scientific research.

Georgia College is known for combining the educational experience of private liberal arts colleges with the affordability of public universities. The university's main campus is a residential learning community focused on undergraduate education and a select number of graduate programs. Faculty and staff are dedicated to engaging students through high impact pedagogies that foster intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry, and critical thinking. We strive for excellence in the classroom and beyond. We nurture collaborative leadership and global citizenship. We value reason, respect, and responsibility. Georgia College seeks faculty and administrators who understand and embrace our public liberal arts mission and are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through teaching, scholarship, and service.

All Georgia College faculty share the responsibility of teaching our core curriculum and providing foundation courses for majors and non-majors alike. To carry out our public liberal arts mission, we seek faculty with the desire and ability to engage students as they launch their intellectual journey.

Georgia College is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative-Action Institution committed to cultural, racial, and multi-ethnic communities and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is expected that successful candidates share in this commitment.

Primary Purpose:

Superior departmental leadership is critical to the overall success of the Georgia College mission. National searches for all vacant chair and administrative positions are an ingredient for becoming an increasingly preeminent institution.

The department chair provides leadership for the department and works collaboratively with the faculty to meet the academic needs of students and foster excellence in programs, instruction, scholarly activity, and service.

The position is a 12-month appointment reporting to the dean of the college. As a member of the World Languages and Cultures faculty, the department chair contributes to the work of the department through teaching (half-time), remaining active as a scholar, and through service. The department chair must have the capability to do the following: effectively manage course scheduling, budgets, personnel and facilities; lead curriculum development; cultivate and maintain alumni relations and raise funds; and carry out other department leadership functions in addition to performing other duties as assigned.

Key Functions: Faculty - Department Chair, Faculty - Teaching/Instructing, Faculty - Professional Development, Supervision, Leadership, Program Management, Administration , Advising , Budgeting, Liaison, Faculty - Service to Institution

Job duties performed for the above function:

• Implement a departmental mission including short and long term plans based on the University's Vision Statement and Goals and the missions of the School/College
• The department chair is expected to teach a half-load (12 contact hours) during the academic year, either at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• As a member of the World Languages and Cultures faculty, the department chair is expected to remain active as a scholar in their area of expertise.
• In collaboration with department faculty, the chair is responsible for recruitment, orientation, mentoring, and advisement of students, staff, and faculty
• Assess and recommend faculty candidates for vacant positions
• Administer faculty and staff development programs
• Make recommendations regarding faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion
• Handle personnel challenges
• In collaboration with department faculty, plan, staff, and schedule classes
• Participate in program review and evaluation of existing degree, accreditation, certification, and other academic programs; development of new programs; and implementation of improved programs to enhance the quality of instruction, academic programs, and research
• Manage department and college facilities and equipment in a manner that promotes quality learning in classroom and laboratories
• Supervise all employees in the Department and administer performance evaluations
• Support graduates in their efforts to secure employment or gain admission to graduate or professional schools
• Collaborate with department faculty to plan the department budget; administer the budget
• Serve as the Department's representative and liaison with other University offices and departments
• Serve on elected and appointed committees and accept other duties as assigned by the Dean

Minimum Requirements:

1. A terminal degree in one of the world languages, with the experience and documented achievements appropriate for consideration to a tenured appointment at the rank of Full Professor.
2. a record of effective teaching, service, and scholarly activity within the candidate's area of specialization;
3. relevant academic administrative experience;
4. a strong commitment to the college and university mission and a passion for working with and mentoring faculty and students;
5. excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, including a well developed sense of fairness and integrity;
6. a commitment to fostering academic excellence; and
7. a demonstrated commitment to the values and practice of inclusion and diversity.

Must meet SACSCOC accreditation requirements stated in C.S. 3.7.1 (www.sacscoc.org (faculty credentials))