Department Head (Academic Administrator)

Reference #: REQ0000060839

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

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The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), located in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) University Park invites applications for the position of Department Head.About the DepartmentThe HDFS department's mission is to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities through the integration of research, teaching, and outreach.Consistently ranked a top HDFS program in North America, the Department is internationally renowned for its long history of interdisciplinary scholarship that has applied rigorous empirical methods to explore important developmental and social issues (Kamp Dush 2017, Reifman 2019). HDFS faculty are at the forefront of their respective fields in lifespan developmental science, family science, prevention/intervention science, quantitative developmental methods, and compassion and flourishing studies. This makes the department central to the College's mission and positions it well to continue to play an important role in advancing human health.HDFS's 39 faculty and 8 staff oversee an in-residence undergraduate degree at University Park, as well as online through World Campus, with more than 350 undergraduate majors, as well as a thriving in-residence graduate program with approximately 60 doctoral students, and are preparing to offer a professional Master of Social Work (MSW) degree through the World Campus.About the CollegeHDFS is one of eight academic units in the college, which focuses on providing interdisciplinary programs sharing a common goal of enriching the lives of others. We continually examine contemporary issues facing people in today's changing times and develop cutting-edge solutions for addressing them. Our impact extends from our classrooms across communities and industries and around the globe.The College of HHD is home to approximately 4,200 undergraduates and 350 graduate students at the University Park campus. HHD also serves nearly 1,000 additional students through Penn State's nationally recognized online World Campus and collaborates on educational programming with several of Penn State's other twenty-three physical campus locations throughout the Commonwealth.With annual extramural funding in the $70-$80 million range, HHD is one of the most research-active colleges at UP.The college is home to five multidisciplinary research centers, including the Center for Childhood Obesity Research, the Center for Health Care and Policy Research, The Center for Healthy Aging, the Center for Safe and Healthy Children, and the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center. These centers support a vibrant research climate within HHD, facilitate cross-department collaboration, and house several interdisciplinary T31/32 training grants.Under the College leadership of Dean Craig Newschaffer, the college has outlined an innovative vision and strategic plan that emphasizes creating an environment to support student success while in college and beyond and growing the impact of the college's research scholarship. The Head of Human Development and Family Studies, as a member of the college's leadership team, plays a critical role in the realization of the college's strategic vision and goals and nsuring that the HDFS department's efforts align with and support these goals.Primary Job ResponsibilitiesReporting to the Dean of the College, the Head of Human Development and Family Studies is responsible for visioning, strategic planning, overseeing academic and research programs, managing operations, finances, faculty and staff affairs, sustaining and building external relations, and fundraising in support of the department's aspirations. This includes further integrating, shaping, and building a truly excellent and cohesive multidisciplinary department that leverages strengths across all programs; advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; nurturing and developing interdisciplinary collaboration; recruiting, developing, and retaining a faculty and staff of excellence; and advocating for the department and enhancing its visibility and reputation.As a key academic leader, and in keeping with the strategic initiatives of the University and the College, the Department Head is expected to stimulate and facilitate research productivity and teaching excellence, encourage interdisciplinary research, and promote and assist faculty with securing external funds.The successful candidate will have administrative responsibility for all operational, fiscal, and procedural actions associated with the department, including conducting fundraising (development) activities. The candidate also will be encouraged to continue a focused line of research and supervise graduate student research.The Department Head must also expand the faculty's current strengths by identifying and facilitating new opportunities in undergraduate, graduate, and online education. The new Head will support and nurture an environment where creativity and innovation thrive and foster a positive climate, inspiring confidence and trust among students, staff, and faculty by bringing strong interpersonal skills and a compassionate, collaborative, and community-oriented leadership style.QualificationsA doctoral degree in the discipline (e.g., HDFS, psychology, sociology, education, anthropology, gerontology, demography) or a closely related discipline.Candidates should possess the vision and energy to lead and grow this nationally and internationally acclaimed department, promoting excellence in the full range of missions that are embodied at a comprehensive, land-grant, and research-intensive university such as Penn State. In achieving these objectives, the next Head must be a collaborative, transparent, and inclusive leader with strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, and an innovative spirit to advance the department's vision and goals.Successful candidates must demonstrate:Successful administrative abilities in an academic setting, which can include academic program management, research program management, other budget management, and/or outreach activities.Productive scholarship in an aspect of human development consistent with the interdisciplinary range of scientific expertise in the department.Willingness, informed by experience, to engage in progressive and innovative thinking about the identity and future trajectory of the department.Effectiveness in contributing to, shaping, and growing the department's educational mission at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.Demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive organizational culture with an emphasis on inclusivity and transparency among all constituents (e.g. students, staff, faculty).The ability to build support across a wide variety of stakeholders, including the capacity to position the department positively to create, maintain and build upon relations with alumni, partners, and the