Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), a Top 10 Public HBCU and Carnegie classified research institution, invites applications for the position of Department Chair of English, Languages, and Media Studies. The position is a 12-month appointment and reports directly to the Dean of the School of Education, Social Sciences, and the Arts (SESA). We seek a visionary and collaborative leader to guide a dynamic department committed to excellence in teaching, research, creative practice, and community engagement.

Salary: $149,372

Benefits: UMES offers exciting opportunities for professional growth.  Generous benefits include health benefits (medical, prescription, dental, flexible spending accounts), Retirement (State or Optional Retirement Plan with Fidelity or TIAA), Supplemental Retirement Accounts (TIAA, Fidelity, or MSRP-Nationwide) with $600 annual state match, Life Insurance (state sponsored MetLife, USM sponsored MetLife Plan, life insurance and long-term disability insurance), Tuition Remission, Employee Assistance Program, paid holidays paid leave, annual leave 22 days per year, sick leave 15 days per year, personal leave 3 days per year.

The Chair will oversee undergraduate programs in English, Media Studies, and World Languages, and lead strategic development in emerging areas such as Creative Writing (including comic script writing), Digital Humanities, Documentary Production, and Communication Studies.

Responsibilities:
•Provide academic leadership and administrative oversight for the department.
•Foster a culture of excellence in teaching, research, and service.
•Lead curriculum development and program innovation in traditional and
emerging fields.
•Support faculty development and mentorship.
•Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the university.
•Develop and implement strategic recruitment and retention initiatives.
•Manage departmental budget, scheduling, and assessment processes.
•Represent the department within the university and to external stakeholders.
•Teach undergraduate courses in one or more departmental areas.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
•PhD or terminal degree in English, Media Studies, Communication, or a closely
related field.
•Tenured Associate or Full Professor status (or qualifications commensurate
with tenure at that rank)
•Demonstrated record of scholarly or creative output in the Humanities
•Experience in academic leadership or administration.
•Deep knowledge of current trends and practices in Literary and Media Studies.
•Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
•Ability to teach undergraduate courses in at least one of the department’s core
areas.
•Familiarity with HBCU mission and values..+
•Experience developing or leading programs in Creative Writing, Digital
Humanities, or Documentary Production.
•Proven success in student recruitment and retention strategies.
•Experience with interdisciplinary curriculum design.
•Record of external funding or grant acquisition.
•Experience mentoring junior faculty and supporting faculty research

Physical Demands:
•May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, sitting at desk.
•May require lifting.
•Requires communication with a variety of constituents externally and internally.
•Requires operation of a variety of office equipment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
•Ability to foster a collegial environment that encourages professionalism and
teamwork.
•Ability to manage the details involved in running a department.

Additional Job Details