Department Chair, Sustainable Development Department

Appalachian State University seeks a tenured Department Chair for its Sustainable Development Department, starting July 1, 2025. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in a related field, have experience in interdisciplinary leadership, and demonstrate strong communication skills. The role involves administrative management, faculty support, and advocacy for the department. The department focuses on preparing students for sustainable community engagement and leadership.
Department Chair, Sustainable Development Department

Tenure Status: Tenured

Department: Sustainable Development - 265450

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will have an earned doctoral degree in a
discipline related to sustainable development, experience working
in or leading interdisciplinary environments, and a record of
excellence in teaching and scholarly achievements commensurate with
appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

Candidates will also have a demonstrated commitment to collective
leadership and shared governance, as well as a demonstrated ability
to work with diverse communities and learners. They will also have
strong communication skills (including the ability to listen
effectively and build consensus), university administrative
experience, and commitment to community engagement and sustainable
development practice.

We seek qualified candidates whose scholarship and teaching
complement or leverage the existing expertise in the
department.

Areas of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)

The ideal candidates should demonstrate an ability to foster a
collaborative culture, with expertise in interdisciplinary
integration, academic leadership, and a proven record of inclusive
decision-making.

License/Certification Required

N/A

Description of the Department or Unit

The Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development is an
interdisciplinary critical development studies program that
integrates theory and practice from across the humanities, natural
sciences, and social sciences with more than 300 undergraduate
majors. We are the only interdisciplinary department of sustainable
development at a US university, with faculty from diverse
disciplines including political science, forestry, anthropology,
agriculture, geography, biology, literature, and more. We have
three program areas: community, regional, and global development;
agroecology and sustainable agriculture; and environmental studies.
The Department's mission is to prepare students to engage in the
social, economic, and environmental transformations necessary to
create thriving, equitable, and sustainable communities within an
ecologically healthy world. Most of our faculty work globally
creating long-term academic and community partnerships in Asia,
Africa, and Latin America, while also engaging with communities and
organizations locally. Our graduates are prepared to work in
leadership positions and fulfill the University's commitment to
building a just and sustainable future. Additional information
about the Department is available at www.sd.appstate.edu.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Sustainable Development Department at Appalachian State
University invites applications for the position of Department
Chair, beginning July 1, 2025. We seek a colleague who can provide
both academic leadership and departmental management to our
innovative and interdisciplinary department.

The responsibilities for this position include: administrative
management of the department (including budget oversight and staff
supervision); providing collaborative leadership for the ongoing
development of the department; supporting faculty and student
achievement; advocating for the department; representing the
department in the College of Fine and Applied Arts as well as the
University, and teaching one course each semester. Additional
information about the duties of Department Chairs is provided in
section 8 of the Academic Affairs Standard Operating Procedures:
https://academicaffairs.appstate.edu/aasops.

Proposed Date of Hire: 07/01/2025

Suggested Salary Range: Salary is competitive and
commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes

Evaluation of Applications Begins: 02/21/2025

To apply, visit https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/49707

Appalachian State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in
access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect
to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and
expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status,
genetic information or sexual orientation.

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