Professor and Department Head of Psychological Sciences

About the role

Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Professor and Department Head of Psychological Sciences in the Department of Psychological Sciences. 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.

Responsibilities

• Vision: 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.
• Strategic Planning: Lead the shared development and implementation of a departmental strategic plan.
• Institutional Collaboration: Work with the college dean and their leadership team, as well as administrative leadership in academic affairs and across institutional divisions to fulfill the institutional strategic plan Tarleton Forward 2030.
• Budget and Resource Allocation: Financial Oversight: Develop and manage the department’s budget in collaboration with college and university administration. Resource Allocation: Oversee the allocation of departmental resources, including equipment, lab space, technology, and office space. Reporting: Work with the university budget specialist for record keeping and university reporting.
• Academic Program Development and Continuous Improvement: Curriculum Assessment: Ensure the ongoing review, development, and modification of curriculum to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies, and to meet the evolving needs of students, accreditation standards, and industry expectations. Program Assessment: Ensure review and evaluation of existing academic programs, using data to enhance quality and ensure alignment with institutional goals. Program Development: Work with department and university partners to propose and develop new undergraduate and graduate programs, including interdisciplinary programs, majors, minors, certificates, etc. Accreditation Compliance: Ensure that academic programs meet discipline and institutional accreditation requirements, including preparation of necessary reports and supporting documentation.
• Faculty and Staff Excellence: Recruitment and Hiring: Oversee faculty and staff recruitment efforts, ensuring compliant recruitment practices and high-quality hiring. Mentoring: Provide mentorship and guidance to faculty and staff, foster ongoing professional development; encourage and support faculty in pursuing effective teaching practices and competitive scholarship. Workload Management: Oversee faculty teaching assignments; oversee the collaborative articulation of faculty teaching, research, service, and administrative goals in the yearly Statement of Expectation documents. Evaluation: Conduct annual performance evaluations of faculty and staff, including faculty midpoint, tenure & promotion, and post-tenure reviews. Communication and Conflict Resolution: Foster open lines of communication within the department as well as with [school and] college leadership; address and mediate conflicts within the department, including faculty and staff disputes.
• Student Academic Success: Engagement: Foster a productive environment for student engagement, retention, and graduation; support student organizations within the department. Academic Scheduling: Ensure that class offerings meet student demand and degree progression. Conduct: Support faculty in their obligation to uphold standards of academic integrity and rigor of classes and programs; mediate departmental processes for student academic appeals. Recruitment: Work with the Division of Enrollment Management and the College of Graduate Studies to market programs to increase enrollment. Career Development: Connect students with opportunities for internships, experiential learning, and career exploration.
• Teaching: Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum. Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student 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: 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.

Requirements

• Earned a doctorate in the field of Psychology from an accredited university.
• Must have a distinguished record in teaching and research 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 Texas A&M University System guidance.
• Tenure upon arrival would be granted pending approval from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.