Department Chairperson

Department Chairperson

Reference: 39884

Please note: All postings close at 12 A.M. CST on the closing date.  This employer participates in E-Verify.

Position Summary:

Arkansas State University (A-State) is recruiting applicants for the position of Department Chair beginning July 1, 2027. A-State seeks a visionary leader and music educator who will join a music department recognized throughout the region for artistic excellence and student success.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Department Chair is responsible to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication for the general management and operation of their academic area. The Chair represents their department to the Dean and university administrators, assigns faculty load, supports faculty in their professional development, and works with faculty to constantly improve instruction and develop programs that are responsive to the changing needs of students. The duties of this position will consist of half-time administrative load release and half-time teaching load in the individual’s area of expertise or as needed by the department. The Department Chair plays a particularly important role in encouraging and sustaining performance, scholarship, research, service, and participation in professional activities by members of the faculty. They also supervise and hire other personnel in the department including non-classified staff and adjunct faculty. The Department Chair duties include:

• Assigning teaching loads and classes for faculty and staff
• Evaluating and recommending faculty members to the Dean of the College of Liberal and Communication for employment, retention, promotion, tenure, non-renewal, and dismissal
• Supervising student recruitment, retention, and success
• Managing records, budgets, and financial accounting
• Overseeing the maintenance of the Department of Music website, social media, advertising, and music student/faculty handbooks
• Submitting requests to Facilities Management for supplies and building maintenance as needed

The successful candidate will:

• Advocate for the needs of the Department of Music through compelling data, metrics, and narratives
• Leverage strong musical and administrative skills to unify, recruit, and retain exceptional faculty talent
• Provide evidence of strong musicianship through performance and/or scholarship

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

General Days/Hours:

The Department Chair will be expected to have regular and reliable attendance Monday-Friday during the school day (8am-5pm) to teach courses, hold office hours, and participate fully in departmental, collegiate, and university activities. Additional hours outside of the school day are expected as needed for items that include but are not limited to concerts, recruiting, and outreach.

Other:

Please note: all position postings close at 12:00 A.M. CST on the position closing date

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin 11/1/2026 and continue until the position is filled. Please note that all position postings close at 12:00 am CST on the morning of the position closing date. Applications for this position must be received online at http://www.astate.edu/jobs. Select employment opportunities and choose the Department Chair (F00013) position to apply.

Materials: Applicants should upload a 1) cover letter addressing qualifications, 2) curriculum vitae including names and contact information for five professional references, 3) three original letters of reference, 4) statement of administrative philosophy (2-3 pages), 5) statement and/or documentation of scholarly/creative activity, 6) unofficial copies of all collegiate transcripts.

Recruitment Information Comments: Load: 6 hours administrative and 6 hours teaching/service; SCH is variable. The majority of our current DoM faculty team are instructors and pre-tenure faculty and all of our eligible tenured faculty have full and specialized loads.

Located in Jonesboro, AR, a growing city of 80,000 residents, A-State maintains a reputation for high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs as well as a strong commitment to the community and region.

As a prominent cultural hub in the Mid-South, the A-State Department of Music serves over 300 students, has a comprehensive offering of undergraduate and graduate degrees, a wide range of instrumental and vocal performance groups, a generous scholarship program for music and non-music majors, and a talented and committed faculty that wants to help their students reach their personal and professional goals. Our talented faculty and students showcase their hard work and musical ability on the Riceland Hall stage in the beautiful Fowler Center, in the newly renovated Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center, on Allison Field at Centennial Bank Stadium, and in other performing arts spaces across Jonesboro and beyond.

A-State is committed to building and sustaining a culture of academic excellence characterized by teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and service supportive of the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for personal fulfillment, successful careers, and responsible citizenship in an increasingly diverse and global society. To achieve that goal, background investigations are conducted on all final applicants recommended for employment.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned Doctoral degree in music.

Special consideration will be given to candidates who have administrative experience and can provide evidence of effective management of faculty and budgets, as well as proof of recruitment and retention in their area of expertise.

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E-Verify Right to Work:

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