Department Chairperson

The Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology (ELRT) at Western Michigan University is comprised of six program areas: Educational and Instructional Technology, Evaluation, Measurement, and Research; K-12 Educational Leadership, Higher Education, Organizational Learning and Global Leadership, and Organizational Change. We seek a Department Chair to lead us in carrying out our mission. ELRT is a graduate intensive department that develops diverse, ethical leaders and scholars who have the skills and knowledge to bring innovative solutions to current problems and challenges. ELRT offers distinctive graduate programs that are the first choice for individuals seeking to be transformational leaders and scholars. As a community of scholars and learners who value ethics, diversity, innovation, service, and action we seek a department chair that can lead us to achieve the following goals: Provide program offerings that better serve the demands of a changing population and market by engaging in an ongoing process of assessment, evaluation, alignment, and re-alignment; Increase student satisfaction, retention, and contributions by developing a greater “sense of community” within programs, the ELRT department and WMU; Reach and maintain optimal enrollment numbers and graduation rates through effective and efficient recruitment and program support, emphasizing the importance of a diverse and inclusive community; Enhance innovative and discovery-driven teaching, scholarship, and service through faculty selection, development and increased levels of support; Better support the work of the department by leveraging existing and new resources. Primary Department-Level Responsibilities Advance the department’s mission and vision in alignment with college and university goals and priorities. Support student success at all levels. Champion faculty development and advancement; supervise and evaluate faculty performance for tenure, promotion, and supplemental salary adjustment recommendations to the Dean of the College. Support faculty research endeavors and grant related efforts. Supervise department staff. Provide departmental leadership, and support faculty efforts, in the development of new and revision of existing initiatives and programs. Responsibly steward department resources in a transparent manner, including budget, and administer department operations with input from faculty. Administer collective bargaining agreements. Facilitate and support program accreditation efforts. Primary College/University-Level Responsibilities Participate and contribute to college-wide initiatives and strategy as part of the Dean’s executive leadership group. Participate and represent the department/college across campus and in local, regional, and national professional associations. Establish and maintain external relations, including but not limited to alumni, governmental, educational, and community agencies. Perform related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications: Demonstrated commitment, contribution, and achievement in inclusive and diverse educational environments. An earned doctorate in a field represented by one of the department’s programs (or closely related) from an accredited institution. An outstanding record of teaching, scholarship, and service that would merit appointment and tenure as associate or full professor at Western Michigan University. Experience in online education, including synchronous, hyflex, and asynchronous platforms. Professional experience with graduate education including doctoral education and successful chairing of doctoral dissertations. At least two years’ experience in a leadership role aligned with academic administration (e.g., program coordinator, associate department chair/head, department chair/head), or related college and university-level leadership experience. Within the area of expertise, be able to positively contribute to teaching needs of the Department. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Desired Qualifications: Demonstrated achievement in supporting graduate student success (i.e. recruitment, retention, and graduation) in higher education. Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary issues facing educational leaders in K-12 and higher education settings, educational research, and educational technology. Demonstrated ability to address challenges faced by graduate programs in leadership, research, and technology. Experience serving both on-campus and (fully) on-line graduate students. Experience supporting the development and advancement of new and experienced faculty and effective supervision and development of staff. Experience with faculty affairs in higher education. Evidence of successful community engagement.

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