Chair, Department of Research, Counseling and Curriculum

The Position

Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, the Department Chair of Research, Counseling and Curriculum will be a dynamic and accomplished leader who will offer outstanding governance in departmental administrative, financial, and programmatic components while defining an innovative vision for the continued growth of the educational, research, and service missions of the department.

The Research, Counseling and Curriculum department is a unique combination of programs serving primarily graduate students. The programs in the department offer a Master of Education (MEd) degree in Counselor Education (School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling), and Education Specialist (EdS) degree in Advanced Educational Studies, a Doctorate of Education in Educational Innovation (EdD), and undergraduate foundations courses that serve the entire College of Education and Human Development. The graduate programs in this department are some of the fastest growing at the university. These vibrant innovative programs are meeting the needs of 21st century educators and counselors throughout the state of Georgia.

The department prides itself on excellence in teaching, close interaction with students through advising, mentoring of graduate researchers, cross-disciplinary interaction with faculty from other departments, and peer support/collaboration. The faculty engage in a variety of research projects ranging from the National Writing Project, best practices for counselor education, to examining ways to meet the needs of marginalized students.

College of Education and Human Development

The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) has four academic areas: the Department of Research, Counseling and Curriculum, the Department of Teaching and Leading, the Department of Kinesiology, and the Literacy Center. There are 1054 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 10 different undergraduate programs and 10 different graduate programs across the three departments. The College has strong partnerships with the local community which allows for optimal learning experiences in a variety of educational settings. Our COEHD believes that teachers, counselors, and leaders should be at the center of all efforts to improve, rethink, and redesign instructional preparation. Practitioner voice influences our work and engages us in creating a curriculum where candidates are more prepared to work in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and beyond. A coherent program of mentoring and instruction by school and university faculty is essential for the COEHD to be a powerful influence in the experience of prospective teachers, counselors, and leaders. There is a commitment to increasing inclusive excellence, promoting equality, and cultivating a welcoming environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The College of Education and Human Development's aim is to engage in and disseminate research, prepare exemplary professionals, and collaborate with other schools on campus.

Principal Responsibilities

  • Oversees all departmental activities, consults with faculty in outlining and promoting internal departmental policies; ensures compliance with departmental, college, university and Board of Regents (BOR) policies.
  • Assumes responsibility for the quality of the instruction, research, and service programs conducted in the department and presents an annual report to the Dean of the College outlining both targeted and accomplished teaching, research, and service activities of the department.
  • Provides mentoring and support to promote career advancement of department faculty, conducts annual assessments of progress toward identified goals, and assists in identifying resources to foster continued growth and development.
  • Serves as a liaison to other officers of the university and represents the department in all official communications with senior leaders and students.
  • Oversees the assignment of teaching and other duties within the department and maintains an equitable and mutually agreeable distribution of assignments.
  • In accordance with University and Board of Regents policies, participates in the recommendation of appointment and reappointment, promotion and tenure, and dismissal or non-renewal of members of the faculty.
  • Administers the annual budget in consultation with the administrative team and business office staff. Upon approval, reviews the budget with departmental faculty.
  • Initiates and maintains standards which ensure the appropriate expenditure of departmental funds and appropriate care and use of departmental property.
  • Collaborates with other members of the COEHD Administrative team in leadership and management of College operations, strategic assessment, planning and resource allocation, design and execution of faculty support systems, and implementation of continuous quality improvement processes.
  • Promotes the development of interdisciplinary programs of research and actively recruits new faculty in nascent or under-represented areas of research demonstrating a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Required Qualifications

  • An earned doctorate in Research Methodology, Counselor of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Foundations, or related discipline.
  • Demonstrated an ongoing record of scholarly work commensurate with the rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure.
  • Leadership ability developed through prior experiences.
  • Experience with doctoral programs and advising doctoral students.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The ideal candidate will have these attributes:

  • Experience with doctoral programs and advising doctoral students.
  • Experience in program and curricular development, budget and personnel management, student recruitment and retention, grant writing, and assessment.
  • Demonstrated record of respect for and interest in working with people from all backgrounds.
  • A proven leader of people who is able to recruit, develop, and mentor a top-notch team capable of supporting future growth.
  • Proven track record as a problem solver and the ability to implement innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.
  • Outstanding communication skills which include written, oral, listening, and public speaking ability.
  • Ability to forge and reinforce effective relationships with internal/external constituencies.
  • Experience in working with an executive leadership team and board in effective and efficient legal strategy and management.
  • Strong teaching record.
  • Comprehensive and broad understanding of current trends in higher education.
  • Successful experience with the supervision of staff in a complex organization and the management of a multifaceted program.
  • Creative, a problem solver, passionate, ethical, a risk-taker, an advocate, and an innovator.

The Department Chair should be a strategic thinker - a visionary leader who thrives in a challenging environment and is clearly aligned with the Augusta University values of:

  • Collegiality - reflected in collaboration, partnership, sense of community, and teamwork.
  • Compassion - reflected in caring, empathy, and social responsibility.
  • Excellence - reflected in distinction, effectiveness, efficiency, enthusiasm, passion, and quality.
  • Inclusivity - reflected in diversity, equality, fairness, impartiality, and respect.
  • Integrity - reflected in accountability, ethical behavior, honesty, and reliability.
  • Leadership - reflected in courage, honor, professionalism, transparency, and vision.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of and understanding of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) framework

The Application Process

Applicants should apply here:  Chair, Department of Research, Counseling and Curriculum, and submit a letter of interest and a comprehensive curriculum vitae. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and will continue until the appointment is made. Inquiries and nominations may be submitted to executivesearch@augusta.edu.

The final candidate will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree in the form of an original transcript. Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

Augusta University is an AA/EEO/Equal Access/ADA Employer.