Chair of Illustration

Faculty FT

The Chair of Illustration provides vision, leadership and supervision for the department; builds substantial reputation for the quality of the department; creates a strong sense of collegiality within the department and of shared responsibility for the department's goals; works with faculty on curriculum development, assessment activities and policy/procedure requirements and implementation, including course schedules and facility use; conducts classroom observations and annual faculty performance evaluations , as well as ensuring mentoring and faculty development opportunities; assists in hiring of faculty; makes decisions on student academic matters; assists in the recruitment of students, review of graduate student applications and placement of students in internships and careers; and oversees departmental budget. The department chair teaches courses, as determined by the number of contact hours listed in the employment agreement.

The chair maintains a visible onsite presence, oversees and guides the work of department faculty and staff, supports and mentors students, and collaborates with academic leaders, faculty and support staff across departments and university locations. The chair ensures that all services related to academic offerings of the department are planned and delivered at the highest quality and without any interruptions. The chair makes sure that university policies and procedures are administered without any exceptions.

The chair models academic and professional leadership and makes sure that all faculty and staff of the department work toward the achievement of the university mission, vision and values. Through day-to-day operational and long-term strategic actions, the department chair ensures the department's intentional and measurable contribution to the university's strategic plan and the 8Rs (responsibility, resources, recruitment, retention, recognition, revenue, research and results).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Terminal degree (or equivalent) in the discipline or in a relevant field.
• Leadership and supervisory experience in academics or significant professional experience in an appropriate discipline.
• Distinguished record of scholarship, teaching and/or professional expertise.
• A successful career as a faculty member and/or discipline professional, including a reputation for model leadership, excellence in the field, high standards and innovation.
• Leadership ability to transform strategic vision into implementation through measurable actions.
• A commitment to teaching and learning, and excellence in academics.
• Thorough understanding of curriculum development and the utilization of assessment to improve student learning and academic programs.
• Ability to conduct thorough, thoughtful and fair performance evaluations, including classroom observations, productive individual evaluation meetings and clearly stated written evaluations that reinforce a faculty member's strength and opportunities for improvement with suggested strategies and support for improvement.
• The knowledge to define the needs of the department on new faculty hires and the personnel judgement to make appropriate recommendations to the dean for hiring and reappointment.
• The judgement to make good and fair decisions in the student's best academic interests with regard to various waivers and expectations and the ability to capture those decisions in appropriate reports.
• Willingness to collaborate with admission on the recruitment and review of students, with career and alumni success on employment and internship opportunities for students and on building links to careers related to the discipline and with other academic and non-academic departments in the best interests of students and the university.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and exceptional work ethic to meet expectations and deadlines in such matters as academic scheduling, budgetary management and oversight, and preparation of required reports.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.
• Evidence of success in creative and collaborative endeavors.
• Innovative, energetic and model leadership.
• Dedication to personal and professional integrity.

Preferred Qualifications: A terminal degree in that field (Ph.D. or Master's degree (MFA preferred) in relevant field.

Work Hours:As noted in the Employment Agreement.

ADA Tag: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.