Valdosta State University
Department Head - Data Science
Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia, United States, 31601
The
College of Science and Mathematics
seeks visionary applicants for Department Head beginning July 1, 2026. This is an administrative fiscal (12-month) faculty position that will carry rank of either Associate or Full Professor, with the possibility of tenure upon appointment. This is a transformative opportunity for a dynamic leader to shape the future of a department and contribute meaningfully to the growth of computational and statistical data science at Valdosta State University. The newly established Data Science Department offers a BS degree in Data Science with three tracks: Business Analytics, Supply Chain & Logistics, and Computational Science & Engineering. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the department's transformation into a hub for computational and statistical data science, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and positioning the department at the forefront of modern academic and industry trends. Department Vision and Opportunities The department is embarking on an ambitious journey to redefine itself as a leader in computational and statistical data science. Our vision is to cultivate an environment integrating advanced computation, statistical methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration to solve pressing local, regional, and global challenges. This transformation will empower faculty and students to excel in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and systems modeling. The new Department Head will have the opportunity to: Extend Current Curriculum : Working with faculty in the department, spearhead the development of innovative tracks and concentrations within our existing Data Science degree that align with job market demands and applications of data science in various disciplines. Expand Interdisciplinary Collaboration : Partner with other departments in the College of Science and Mathematics, such as Computer Science & Engineering Technology, Biology, Chemistry & Geosciences, and beyond, to enhance research and academic offerings. Enhance Research Impact : Position the department as a computational and statistical applied research leader, attracting external funding and increasing student participation in high-impact projects, including internships. Prepare Students for the Future : Develop initiatives that equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in competitive data science careers, including experiential learning and mentorship opportunities.
Department Summary The department is committed to teaching, research, and service excellence. Faculty members are deeply involved in computational research, statistical analysis, and applied computational physics and astronomy, contributing to advancements in theory and practice. The department is vital in supporting STEM disciplines by providing foundational instruction in introductory courses and fostering a collaborative and innovative academic environment. With planned expansions into applied mathematics, statistics, actuarial studies, physics, and astronomy, all under the umbrella of data science, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration within the College of Science and Mathematics, the department is well-positioned to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for future careers. Responsibilities Reporting directly to the Dean, the department head is responsible for the overall day-to-day functions of the department and serves as its primary spokesperson and advocate. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Hiring, managing and evaluating faculty and staff members in the department; Conducting regular departmental meetings; Fostering a positive department environment that supports excellent teaching, scholarship and service; Establishing a collaborative department vision and agenda that is aligned with the university and college strategic plans; Scheduling classes and sections for each faculty member in each academic semester; Supporting students through mentoring, overseeing internships and providing curricular overrides, where appropriate; Teaching necessary courses throughout the academic year; Participating in research and scholarly activities; Attending required conferences, including those associated with academic presentations; Supporting department experiential learning activities, including undergraduate research; Facilitating departmental curriculum reviews to maintain program viability and alignment with with both industry trends and accreditation requirements; Participating in College Executive Committee meetings; Attending monthly Council of Department Heads meetings; Promoting interdisciplinary research and external partnerships; Maintaining a wide variety of service courses in mathematics, physics, and astronomy; Serving as Budget Manager for the department.
Required Qualifications An earned terminal degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Applied Computational Physics, Applied Statistics, Operations Research, or a related field from an accredited university; A strong background in Data Science, including course development and research publications in data science; A proven track record of fostering innovation in teaching and learning; A record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; Demonstrated leadership experience in academic or research settings; An awareness of current trends in higher education and a commitment to innovation in teaching and learning; Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; A commitment to shared governance and a consultative leadership style.
Preferred Qualifications Experience with grant writing and extramural funding; Record of successful outreach to community; Experience with faculty evaluation and promotion and tenure processes; Experience as a department head; Accreditation experience.
Application Instructions Full consideration will be given to completed applications received by October 1, 2025. Applicant materials should include: Cover letter detailing your vision for transforming the department into a Computational and Statistical Data Science hub Curriculum vitae Statement of teaching philosophy that includes strategies for creating curricula to meet a diverse student body's needs and career goals Research statement outlining interests and plans to enhance the research mission of a regional public institution Leadership statement addressing contemporary challenges facing departments at regional comprehensive universities
Online application is required.For more information, contact Dr. Andreas Lazari, Search Chair/Professor, Department of Data Science, at 229-333-7154 or alazari@valdosta.edu. Valdosta State University, founded in 1906, is a comprehensive university with a student enrollment of approximately 10,200. The city of Valdosta is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75, is served by a regional airport, and is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information visit https://www.valdosta.edu and more information about the community visit https://www.valdostachamber.com. Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual. USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653. recblid xedi64d7z5xctn03lymt6myzmu8hix
College of Science and Mathematics
seeks visionary applicants for Department Head beginning July 1, 2026. This is an administrative fiscal (12-month) faculty position that will carry rank of either Associate or Full Professor, with the possibility of tenure upon appointment. This is a transformative opportunity for a dynamic leader to shape the future of a department and contribute meaningfully to the growth of computational and statistical data science at Valdosta State University. The newly established Data Science Department offers a BS degree in Data Science with three tracks: Business Analytics, Supply Chain & Logistics, and Computational Science & Engineering. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the department's transformation into a hub for computational and statistical data science, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and positioning the department at the forefront of modern academic and industry trends. Department Vision and Opportunities The department is embarking on an ambitious journey to redefine itself as a leader in computational and statistical data science. Our vision is to cultivate an environment integrating advanced computation, statistical methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration to solve pressing local, regional, and global challenges. This transformation will empower faculty and students to excel in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and systems modeling. The new Department Head will have the opportunity to: Extend Current Curriculum : Working with faculty in the department, spearhead the development of innovative tracks and concentrations within our existing Data Science degree that align with job market demands and applications of data science in various disciplines. Expand Interdisciplinary Collaboration : Partner with other departments in the College of Science and Mathematics, such as Computer Science & Engineering Technology, Biology, Chemistry & Geosciences, and beyond, to enhance research and academic offerings. Enhance Research Impact : Position the department as a computational and statistical applied research leader, attracting external funding and increasing student participation in high-impact projects, including internships. Prepare Students for the Future : Develop initiatives that equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in competitive data science careers, including experiential learning and mentorship opportunities.
Department Summary The department is committed to teaching, research, and service excellence. Faculty members are deeply involved in computational research, statistical analysis, and applied computational physics and astronomy, contributing to advancements in theory and practice. The department is vital in supporting STEM disciplines by providing foundational instruction in introductory courses and fostering a collaborative and innovative academic environment. With planned expansions into applied mathematics, statistics, actuarial studies, physics, and astronomy, all under the umbrella of data science, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration within the College of Science and Mathematics, the department is well-positioned to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for future careers. Responsibilities Reporting directly to the Dean, the department head is responsible for the overall day-to-day functions of the department and serves as its primary spokesperson and advocate. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Hiring, managing and evaluating faculty and staff members in the department; Conducting regular departmental meetings; Fostering a positive department environment that supports excellent teaching, scholarship and service; Establishing a collaborative department vision and agenda that is aligned with the university and college strategic plans; Scheduling classes and sections for each faculty member in each academic semester; Supporting students through mentoring, overseeing internships and providing curricular overrides, where appropriate; Teaching necessary courses throughout the academic year; Participating in research and scholarly activities; Attending required conferences, including those associated with academic presentations; Supporting department experiential learning activities, including undergraduate research; Facilitating departmental curriculum reviews to maintain program viability and alignment with with both industry trends and accreditation requirements; Participating in College Executive Committee meetings; Attending monthly Council of Department Heads meetings; Promoting interdisciplinary research and external partnerships; Maintaining a wide variety of service courses in mathematics, physics, and astronomy; Serving as Budget Manager for the department.
Required Qualifications An earned terminal degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Applied Computational Physics, Applied Statistics, Operations Research, or a related field from an accredited university; A strong background in Data Science, including course development and research publications in data science; A proven track record of fostering innovation in teaching and learning; A record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; Demonstrated leadership experience in academic or research settings; An awareness of current trends in higher education and a commitment to innovation in teaching and learning; Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; A commitment to shared governance and a consultative leadership style.
Preferred Qualifications Experience with grant writing and extramural funding; Record of successful outreach to community; Experience with faculty evaluation and promotion and tenure processes; Experience as a department head; Accreditation experience.
Application Instructions Full consideration will be given to completed applications received by October 1, 2025. Applicant materials should include: Cover letter detailing your vision for transforming the department into a Computational and Statistical Data Science hub Curriculum vitae Statement of teaching philosophy that includes strategies for creating curricula to meet a diverse student body's needs and career goals Research statement outlining interests and plans to enhance the research mission of a regional public institution Leadership statement addressing contemporary challenges facing departments at regional comprehensive universities
Online application is required.For more information, contact Dr. Andreas Lazari, Search Chair/Professor, Department of Data Science, at 229-333-7154 or alazari@valdosta.edu. Valdosta State University, founded in 1906, is a comprehensive university with a student enrollment of approximately 10,200. The city of Valdosta is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75, is served by a regional airport, and is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information visit https://www.valdosta.edu and more information about the community visit https://www.valdostachamber.com. Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual. USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653. recblid xedi64d7z5xctn03lymt6myzmu8hix