Job Title

Professor & Department Head - Health and Human Performance

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

School of Kinesiology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

Lead and Inspire in the School of Kinesiology! We’re seeking a visionary leader and experienced educator to join us as Professor and Department Head of Health and Human Performance. If you are passionate about advancing education, research, and service in the field of kinesiology, and ready to lead a dynamic team in shaping the future of health and human performance, we invite you to be part of our journey!

This is a 12-month tenured* position located on Tarleton’s main campus in Stephenville, Texas. Summer appointment is dependent upon need and funding availability. Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching requirements indicate. May be required to teach at other campuses or online at the institution’s discretion.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching, maintain an impactful research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and participate in the necessary operation of the institution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

50% Administration:

Leadership and Strategic Management

• Collaborate with the department faculty and staff to establish a vision for the department in alignment with the overall vision of the school, college, and the university.

• Work with other school deans, department heads, and the college dean in the development and implementation of the strategic plan for the school and college, in collaboration with the faculty.

• Lead the development of a departmental strategic plan and work with the departmental colleagues to implement it.

• Lead efforts to support faculty in advancing their teaching and research agendas.

Program Development and Teaching

• Collaborate within the school and college to develop future graduate programs.

• Work with university partners to regularly perform market analysis to propose and develop various graduate and undergraduate programs, majors, minors, certificates, etc.

• Work collaboratively across the school, college, and the university to develop new cross-disciplinary programs.

• Work with enrollment management and graduate admissions to market programs to increase enrollment.

• Maintain academic integrity and rigor of classes and programs.

• Encourage high-quality teaching by supporting faculty to effectively deliver courses using various modalities, including cutting-edge technologies.

Administrative

• Recruit and retain exceptional scholars and teachers in the department.

• Collaboratively set yearly goals and perform annual performance evaluations for faculty and staff.

• Evaluate faculty/staff in the department to ensure performance meets and/or exceeds the College of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology criteria for annual performance reviews, midpoint reviews, tenure & promotion, and post-tenure reviews.

• Perform mid-tenure review for tenure-track faculty.

• Perform tenure and promotion evaluations for department faculty.

• Promote faculty professional development opportunities related to educational training for health and exercise science professionals, continuing education conferences, and workshops.

• Maintain open lines of communication within the department as well as the school and college leadership.

• Maintain community engagement.

Budgeting

• Manage the department budget based on the school and college guidelines.

• Work with the accreditation manager to develop and maintain accreditation reports.

• Work with the university budget specialist for record keeping and university reporting

Research

• Encourage and support department faculty in maintaining an active research agenda and publications.

• Encourage faculty for a collaborative mindset for cross-disciplinary research efforts across the university.

• Encourage faculty to engage in interprofessional education (IPE) teaching and research activities that support the pursuit of external grants.

Student Support

• Ensure class offerings to meet student demand and degree progression.

• Support student organizations within the school and department.

• Ensure an environment for student success, engagement, and retention.

• Connect students with opportunities for career exploration.

40% Teaching and Service:

• Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum.
• Develop course syllabi, select instructional materials, and design assessments such as exams, quizzes, papers, etc.
• Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.
• Engage students in active learning, foster critical thinking skills, and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
• Provide academic support and guidance to students through office hours, feedback on assignments, and mentoring.
• Adhere to university policies, academic integrity standards, and accreditation requirements related to teaching responsibilities.
• Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Engage in ongoing professional development activities to stay current in the field, improve teaching skills, and explore new instructional strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues, departmental faculty, and university staff to coordinate course offerings, share resources, and contribute to program development and improvement.
• Participate in institutional service roles including but not limited to, college committees, advisory committees, student/faculty recruitment, and mentoring of new and part-time faculty.

10% Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity:

• Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant’s academic discipline.
• Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge/creative expression in the applicant’s discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.
• Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.

Minimum Requirements:

• Earned doctorate in Kinesiology or closely related field from an accredited university
• Must have a distinguished record that warrants a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Full Professor.
  • Eligibility for tenure will be determined by reviewing the candidate’s record of years of experience and professional achievements in teaching, service, and research consistent with the Texas A&M system guidance. *Tenure upon arrival will be pending approval from the A&M System Board of Regents.
• Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience at the collegiate level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Preferred Requirements:

• Administrative and leadership experience
• Previous experience as department head/chair at the college/university level or experience in supervisory/management position(s) in the academic arena.
• Previous experience in oversight of accredited programs or leading a program toward accreditation.
• Demonstrated ability to use and understand data to inform strategic planning and decision-making for the department.
• Strong evidence of ability to set operational goals from strategic plans and lead direct reports to accomplish these strategic goals and initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of disciplinary subject matter at a level adequate for graduate-level instruction
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to conduct effective teaching and research activities
• Ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty in a professional, collegial, and collaborative manner

***Commensurate with experience

Application Procedure:

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents, and Submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via "Submit" action.

Employment applications must include (required):

• Completed online application
• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• At least 3 current professional references and their full contact information, and
• Unofficial transcripts
• Philosophy Statement related to Leadership, Teaching, and Research - no more than 1500 words.

         

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered.  Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.  “See resume” is not an acceptable entry in the job application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Anticipated start date Spring 2025.

Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree‐granting institution prior to a letter of appointment being issued.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.