Department Head & Associate/Full Professor of Health & Human Physiology

Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Department Head & Associate/Full Professor of Health and Human Physiology in the College of Kinesiology and Sport Science. As part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, this role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a university that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth.

Tarleton State University continues to grow its impact across Texas, with four distinct campuses located in Stephenville, Fort Worth, RELLIS-Bryan, and Waco, along with a robust online community. The main campus in Stephenville offers a dynamic environment for faculty and staff, featuring a lively live music scene, numerous local festivals, and rich community traditions.

A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Tarleton State University will not pay this fee. Additionally, a moratorium on new H-1B filings in Texas, effective January 27, 2026, may impact employment sponsorship for candidates requiring visa status.

About the Role

The Department Head provides academic and administrative leadership for the department, managing faculty, staff, and student affairs; overseeing budget and resource management; leading strategic planning; and representing the department to external stakeholders. This role fosters excellence in teaching, research, and service while promoting the strategic goals of the department, college, and institution. The position reports to the Dean of the College of Kinesiology and Sport Management and is a 12-month tenured role located primarily on the main campus in Stephenville, Texas. Occasional travel to all campus locations is required. The position serves as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).

Responsibilities

• Administration, Leadership, and Strategic Planning (50%)
  • Vision: Collaborate with department faculty and staff to establish a vision aligned with the school, college, and university.
  • Strategic Planning: Lead the development and implementation of a departmental strategic plan.
  • Institutional Collaboration: Work with the college dean, leadership team, and administrative divisions to fulfill the institutional strategic plan, Tarleton Forward 2030.
  • Budget and Resource Allocation:
    • Develop and manage the department's budget in collaboration with college and university administration.
    • Oversee allocation of resources, including equipment, lab space, technology, and office space.
    • Work with the university budget specialist for record keeping and reporting.
  • Academic Program Development and Continuous Improvement:
    • Ensure ongoing review, development, and modification of curriculum to meet evolving student needs, accreditation standards, and industry expectations.
    • Evaluate existing academic programs using data to enhance quality and alignment with institutional goals.
    • Propose and develop new undergraduate and graduate programs, including interdisciplinary programs, majors, minors, and certificates.
    • Ensure compliance with discipline and institutional accreditation requirements, including preparation of reports and documentation.
  • Faculty and Staff Excellence:
    • Oversee faculty and staff recruitment, ensuring compliant practices and high-quality hiring.
    • Provide mentorship and guidance to foster professional development, effective teaching, and competitive scholarship.
    • Manage faculty teaching assignments and articulate yearly goals in Statement of Expectation documents.
    • Conduct annual performance evaluations, including midpoint, tenure & promotion, and post-tenure reviews.
    • Foster open communication and mediate conflicts within the department.
  • Student Academic Success:
    • Foster a productive environment for student engagement, retention, and graduation.
    • Support student organizations and ensure class offerings meet student demand and degree progression.
    • Uphold standards of academic integrity and mediate student academic appeals.
    • Collaborate with Enrollment Management and the College of Graduate Studies to market programs and increase enrollment.
    • Connect students with internships, experiential learning, and career exploration opportunities.
• Teaching and Service (30%)
  • Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, including general education core curriculum.
  • Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.
  • Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (20%)
  • Maintain an active research, scholarship, or creative activity agenda appropriate to the academic discipline.
  • Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge or creative expression through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.
  • Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.

Requirements

• Distinguished record in teaching and research warranting a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Eligibility for tenure determined by years of experience and professional achievements in teaching, service, and research, consistent with Texas A&M University System guidance.
• Tenure upon arrival pending approval from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • 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.
• Preferred:
  • Administrative and leadership experience as a department head/chair at the college/university level or in a supervisory/management role in academia.
  • Experience in oversight of accredited academic programs or leading a program toward accreditation.
  • Demonstrated ability to use data for strategic planning and decision-making.
  • Evidence of setting operational goals from strategic plans and leading direct reports to accomplish them.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM or as work and teaching responsibilities indicate.