Job Title

Chair, Womack Department of Educational Leadership, Tenure-Track Faculty

Department

Womack Educational Leadership

University Expectation

MTSU seeks candidates committed to innovative teaching, robust research/creative activity, and meaningful service. We also seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who value working with diverse students.

Salary

The salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Job Summary/Basic Function

The College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University invites collaborative and visionary leaders to apply for the chair of the Womack Department of Educational Leadership. Applicants must have a record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of associate or full professor. Expedited tenure upon appointment is possible. The start date for the position is August 1, 2026.

The successful candidate will provide strategic academic and administrative leadership across a range of graduate and undergraduate programs, including human development, professional counseling, library science, and educational leadership. We seek a scholar and educator with a strong record of teaching, research, and service, and a leadership style that fosters collaboration, innovation, and excellence inspiring faculty, staff, and students, while managing operations to advance long-term vision and growth. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Education, the successful candidate will support the department’s mission and the broader goals of the College of Education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage departmental programs, faculty, and staff.
• Support faculty recruitment, mentoring, evaluation, and promotion/tenure processes.
• Oversee departmental operations including budgeting, staffing, and course scheduling.
• Drive curriculum innovation, program development, and accreditation efforts.
• Promote excellence in teaching, research, and service across all disciplines.
• Cultivate partnerships with schools, districts, agencies, and external organizations.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, connection, and student-centered success.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Represent the department on college and university committees.

Required Education

A terminal degree in educational leadership, administration and supervision, higher education leadership, academic administration, K-12 leadership, learning sciences, professional counseling, library science, human development, family science, or a closely related field is required by the appointment date.

Required Related Experience

Five (5) years of full-time higher education teaching experience and three (3) years of leadership experience are required by the appointment date.

Other Desirables

Applicants with the following will receive special consideration:

• Experience navigating promotion and tenure processes.
• Leadership experience across multiple disciplines within a department or college.
• Proven ability to support faculty and staff in professional development.
• Active research agenda and scholarship, preferably at an R1 or R2 institution.
• Experience with accreditation or program review processes.
• Strong record of building partnerships with schools, agencies, or professional organizations.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
• Demonstrated success in supporting a broad range of learners through recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives.
• Experience in curriculum design, program development, or expansion.

Documents Needed to Apply

To successfully apply, applicants must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of research or creative activities (as appropriate to the discipline), and a statement of leadership philosophy (Other Document 1) as separate attachments at the time of online application.

Special Instruction to Applicants

For more information about serving as a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University, please visit our faculty recruitment webpage.

If you need help applying, please contact Mitzi Dunkley, Faculty Recruitment Specialist, at (615) 898-5128. If you have position-specific questions, please contact Seth Jones at Ryan.Jones@mtsu.edu.

MTSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following: Sick Leave Vacation Leave for Administrative/Classified Staff/12-month Faculty 13 paid University holidays Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance Retirement plans Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents Click here for additional information.

MTSU is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that values diversity in all its forms. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment is required before employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU are available at https://police.mtsu.edu/annual-security-report/ or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at (615) 898-2424. MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug-Free campus. This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you will be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered. For individuals requiring reasonable accommodation to apply: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with MTSU, please call 615-898-2929 or email emp@mtsu.edu.

Application Review Date: 11/06/2025