The Department of Anthropology at Appalachian State University invites applications for the position of Department Chair at the rank of Professor (advanced Associate Professors may be considered).

This is a tenure-track 9-month position with twelve-month duties, appointment to begin July 1, 2021. Candidates must have a PhD in Anthropology. Anthropologists from any subfield are welcome to apply.

We seek an individual with a leadership philosophy oriented toward building consensus and fostering collaborative and equitable relations. The successful candidate will provide evidence of administrative experience and skill; provide evidence of fostering collaborative relations and partnerships within and beyond the university; maintain an active research program in Anthropology; and demonstrate strengths in undergraduate teaching. We value candidates interested in working with us to nurture a vibrant undergraduate anthropology curriculum and community that fosters hope and prepares students to face the future. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion.

The department has an appointed chair with the general responsibility for guiding the department toward selected goals. It is the specific responsibility of the chair to:

Participate in the development of University policies and be responsible for their communication and implementation at the department level; Communicate the needs of the department (personnel, space, fiscal) to the appropriate administrative units; Serve as an advocate for the department and represent the department in the University, the community, to appropriate external agencies, and at meetings of learned and professional societies; Provide leadership in the recruitment and appointment of faculty members; Arrange effective and equitable distribution of faculty responsibilities, including: (i) teaching duties and committee assignments within the department; (ii) evaluate and counsel with all departmental faculty members concerning the performance of their duties; Encourage and support good teaching, scholarly activity, and professional development within the department; Initiate, in consultation with the appropriate faculty committee recommendations for appointment, reappointment, promotion, tenure, and dismissal in accordance with the University and college policy; Endeavor to maintain faculty morale by reducing, resolving, or preventing conflicts; Make salary recommendations in accordance with University and college guidelines; Organize and coordinate the departmental faculty and staff in developing, implementing and evaluating short and long-range departmental goals, objectives, standards, and programs; Work with the faculty to develop standards, curricula, and procedures, which provide adequate preparation of graduates for professional or further academic endeavor; Provide for appropriate advisement of students majoring in the department; Provide leadership in supporting equality of opportunity and the protections available to members of the University community under all applicable laws; Manage the departmental resources, including the budget, in accordance with college and University guidelines; Participate in planning capital improvements and maintenance of physical facilities; Endeavor to secure and maintain adequate supplies, materials, and equipment for the department; Supervise the departmental support staff; and Lead full departmental meetings (with the exception of PTC meetings) and ensure that formal agendas be sent out ahead of time and that minutes be approved at the next departmental meeting.

The Department of Anthropology is a four-field undergraduate program with 13 tenure lines and more than 150 majors. Our faculty excel in scholarship and teaching, carrying a 12-hour load with 3 hours of reassigned time for those with an active research agenda, and considerable service commitments within and beyond the institution. Our current faculty expertise, research clusters, facilities, curriculum, and field school programs are described on our website, click here. Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls about 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

A complete application consists of:

(1) Letter of application;

(2) Statement on leadership philosophy;

(3) Statement on diversity and inclusion;

(4) Current C.V.;

(5) Names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references.

Contact Diane Mines, Search Committee Chair at [email protected] with questions.

Review of applications will begin on December 21, and applications will continue to be reviewed util the position is filled. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please note this position is based on enrollment and subject to available funding.

Appalachian State University is an equal employment 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. Individuals with disabilities may request accommodations in the application process by contacting Maranda Maxey, ADA/504 Coordinator, at 828-262-3056 or [email protected].

We at Appalachian State University are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence both locally and globally. Inclusive Excellence is the intrinsic value that a diverse population adds to the learning, teaching, and decision-making processes of an institution.

We understand that the successful implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence is the responsibility of the entire university community, including alumni and official university governing bodies. A diverse campus community supports an influx of broad and distinct ideas that increase learning opportunities and strengthen the impact of our community as we work collectively to achieve a just experience for all.

We actively encourage, support, and promote a global mindset and an equitable environment where all will know that they belong and are safe to express their culture, identity, values, ideas, opinions, and creativity. We are committed to creating a culture of equity opportunity for all, one that has an expectation of fairness, justice, and equity-minded practice at all levels of the university community.