Chair, Department of Political Science

Position description

Morgan State University is a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) which was founded in 1867 and is located in Baltimore, MD. It is Maryland’s Preeminent Urban Research University and is designated a National Treasure. Morgan is a high research institution (R2) and is currently engaged in vigorous enhancement activities with the goal of attaining R1 status. The University offers a comprehensive array of baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degrees, and its faculty includes over 500 members who are actively engaged in research, teaching, and service to the university and the wider community. The University is accredited by the Middle States Higher Education Commission.

The James H. Gilliam, Jr., College of Liberal Arts

The Political Science Department is housed in the James H. Gilliam, Jr., College of Liberal Arts (CLA), the largest academic unit at Morgan. The CLA provides the core of the general education curriculum. The faculty is engaged in strong academic research and creative endeavors that are national and international in scope. The CLA has 10 academic departments and the James E. Lewis Museum of Art, over 1,600 students, and nearly 125 full- and part-time faculty members. It offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in 10 undergraduate programs. It also offers a master’s degree in eleven disciplines a Ph.D. in English History and psychometrics, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Museum Studies. The James H. Gilliam. Jr., College of Liberal Arts is the only HBCU in the nation with a psychometrics program.

The Department

The Department of Political Science has close to 200 students. The faculty is diverse with exceptional international experience. Faculty have worked in the United States Congress, governmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, and international organizations. The department prides itself on providing students with an excellent undergraduate education that will empower and prepare them with the skills and knowledge to lead the world. The student body is diverse with students coming from all over the world. We are guided by Morgan’s core values of Excellence, Integrity, Respect, Diversity, Innovation and Leadership.

Job Duties

Under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the Department Chair serves as the chief representative of the department, the leader of the department in its internal affairs, and the liaison between the departmental faculty and the university administration. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assuming responsibility for setting and meeting enrollment, retention, and graduation projections in line with the University’s goals.
• Scheduling of courses.
• Supervising all faculty and staff.
• Creating and approving goals for the department by interpreting and supporting the goals of the University
• Advising graduating seniors
• Carrying out responsibilities associated with annual faculty evaluation, tenure, and promotion.
• Collaborating with area coordinators to assist transfer and other students.
• Implementing and/or reinforcing changes based on University policies.
• Interpreting department policies to faculty, staff, and students.
• Initiating and maintaining communication with administrative staff, faculty, students, industry, external community, state, and national agencies, as necessary.
• Informing the dean of decisions involving changes and/or issues in the department
• Conducting meetings with faculty to evaluate and approve departmental plans and delivery of instruction
• Providing for the necessary research and department support to obtain/maintain external grant funds or donations if appropriate.
• Resolving issues between faculty and students.
• Keeping current on trends, issues, and initiatives in political science education that may impact teaching and learning within the departmental programs
• Assigning teaching loads and other departmental duties.
• Monitoring compliance with policies and procedures of the University.
• Serving on the College of Liberal Arts Management Team
• Attending and participating in College and University meetings, as appropriate.
• Teaching two courses each semester.
• Maintaining an active and relevant research agenda.
• Managing department budget.
• Documenting departmental activities, including the compilation of the department’s annual report.
• Advise the Political Science Association and Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society.
• Determines personnel needs in the department and makes appropriate requests to the Dean and participates in hiring interviews in conjunction with the appropriate search committee.
• Tracks and analyzes student performance and enrollment data.
• Ensures department participation in student recruitment efforts, including job fairs and open houses.
• Provides and/or promotes professional development opportunities to faculty and staff, as appropriate.
• Expand and grow the programs within the department.

Requested Minimum Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. in Political Science.
• Achieved the rank of Full Professor or have the qualifications necessary to earn the rank of Full Professor at Morgan State University
• Evidence of successful teaching, research, and service.
• Evidence of scholarly achievement.
• Evidence of a robust research agenda.

Other Preferences for Consideration

• Evidence of strong leadership, administrative, interpersonal, mentoring, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• Evidence of leadership experience appropriate to support the university’s vision of academic distinction
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse faculty and a diverse student body.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at the departments, college, university, and community levels.
• Evidence of collaborations with interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Evidence of demonstrated ability to contribute to the mission of the James H. Gilliam Jr., College of Liberal Arts, and Morgan State University.

Application instructions

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