Chair - Division of Public Affairs
University of Utah
Position Information
**Proposed Faculty Rank** Senior Associate Professor / Full Professor
**Department** 02048 - Div of Public Affairs -Roll up
**City** Salt Lake City, UT
**Track** Tenure Track
**New Position to Begin** 7/1/25
**Details**
_The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2025, allowing for a six-month transition period into the Division Chair role. During this time, the selected candidate will serve as Division faculty and engage in onboarding, teaching, and research. The successful candidate is expected to officially assume Chair responsibilities on January 1, 2026._
**Overview**
The Division of Public Affairs at the University of Utah is excited to invite applications for the division’s next Chair and faculty member, to be hired at the rank of Full Professor. The Division of Public Affairs is a newly formed department-level unit in the College of Social and Behavioral Science, comprised of faculty, staff, alumni, and allied stakeholders united around the core mission of pursuing the common good. The division offers three professional graduate programs: a NASPAA accredited Master of Public Administration ( MPA ; evening and executive), Master of Public Policy ( MPP ), and Master of Science in International Affairs and Global Enterprise ( MIAGE ).
Our next Chair will be an innovative and energetic leader eager to understand and capitalize on the division’s considerable academic and public service successes. The Chair will work with and guide faculty and administrators to chart an entrepreneurial vision of the division’s growth and evolution. The successful candidate is also expected to maintain an active research program and to contribute toward the division’s teaching and mentoring responsibilities. We welcome candidates from a variety of scholarly perspectives on public and nonprofit organizations, a strong research record, and a range of administrative experiences leading dynamic academic programs.
Located in the bustling urban landscape of Salt Lake City, the University of Utah stands as the state’s flagship institution and the region’s higher education hub. We are a Tier 1 research university and a member of the exclusive Association of American Universities. Driven by our goal to become a top 10 public university with unsurpassed societal impact, we are committed to making social, economic and cultural contributions that improve the quality of life throughout the state, the nation and the world. Our combination of world-class cultural amenities, international airport, and outstanding natural landscapes just minutes away from the urban core create unparalleled quality of life opportunities.
**Administrative Leadership**
The Chair will provide administrative leadership, coordinating the division’s programs, ensuring effective and efficient stewardship of its resources, and identifying new opportunities and resource streams within the division, the College of Social and Behavioral Science, the University, and the profession. The Chair will represent and lead the division in its relations with relevant professional associations and in other related organizational and individual partners, including a large network of alums, non-profit organizations, and public sector agencies. The Chair will work with division faculty and staff to manage administrative and financial matters, recruit faculty and students, perform necessary personnel evaluations, guide program reviews and accreditation, and oversee teaching resources.
Under the direction of the Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science, the Chair is further responsible for administration, faculty governance, and external partnerships for the division. External relations include collaborating with other campus entities, practitioner and research stakeholders, and potential donors.
**Research**
The Chair will have an active and well-established scholarly record and research agenda in public affairs, broadly understood, sharing their scholarship with colleagues and the public through high-impact publications and presentations.
**Teaching**
The Chair will contribute to the division’s teaching mission through courses of interest including (but not limited to) public policy, public administration, non-profit organizations and management, international affairs, and administrative law. Specific course assignments, locations, and modalities will balance the interests of the candidate and the needs of the division. The Chair will participate in student advising and mentoring.
**Required Qualifications:**
The successful candidate will possess the following:
1. Doctorate or comparable degree in public administration, political science, public policy, international affairs, law or a related field.
2. A distinguished record of achievement commensurate with a faculty member appointment at the rank of Full Professor. Associate Professors with the qualifications necessary to earn the rank of Professor at the University of Utah may be considered.
3. Evidence of effective administrative leadership within an academic setting.
4. Evidence of scholarly excellence, including an active research agenda in public affairs, broadly defined.
5. Evidence of excellence in teaching, including educating, supporting, and mentoring students and practitioners.
6. Evidence of effective engagement with external stakeholders such as alumni networks and private, public, and non-profit practitioners.
7. Willingness to contribute to, support, and lead administrative initiatives and programs in the Division of Public Affairs.
**Location**
The University of Utah is the flagship higher education and research institution in Utah and offers exceptional benefits to its faculty. The University is in the foothills of the spectacular Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Valley metropolitan area offers a temperate climate, outstanding educational, cultural, and recreational attractions (including opera, symphony, theater, and world-class skiing, biking, hiking, and camping), and excellent medical facilities. Utah is home to 8 federally recognized Native American Tribes and the largest Pacific
Islander population outside of Hawai’i and Alaska. Five national parks and several monuments, recreation areas, and National forests provide outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities. Utah and the Wasatch Front Area are undergoing strong economic growth, with one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology sectors.
**EEO/Non-Discrimination Information**
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
**Notice**
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
**Special Instructions for Candidates**
Review of the applications will begin on November 1, 2024, and applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis until the search is closed. Application materials should include:
1. A cover letter that reflects on the applicant’s combined scholarly, teaching, and professional accomplishments, articulates the applicant’s future goals, and how this position aligns with and supports the applicant’s career trajectory. The letter should not exceed 4 pages.
2. A current curriculum vitae.
3. A two-page leadership statement that summarizes applicant’s leadership philosophy/vision (including strategic goals for growth within the Division) as well as addresses the University of Utah’s Foundational Pillars (**https://president.utah.edu**).
**Open Date** 09/10/2024
**Close Date**
**Open Until Filled** Yes
**Requisition Number** PRN01267CF
**Type** Faculty
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