Department Head, Applied Mathematics and Physics at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia

Job Description:

The College of Science and Mathematics seeks applicants for the Department Head of Applied Mathematics and Physics. The position is a fiscal (12-month) administrative faculty ranked position beginning July 1, 2025.This role involves directing and participating in the teaching and other functions of an academic department, and it carries rank at either the Associate or Full Professor level, with the possibility of tenure.

The Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics at Valdosta State University is committed to developing, teaching, and learning mathematics and physics at all levels, with a primary focus on Data Science. With administrative experience and a desire to lead a diverse faculty, the ideal candidate will play a crucial role in helping the department sustain its programs, implement new ideas, and plan for future growth. Our faculty is actively engaged in research in multiple areas of pure and applied mathematics, physics, and mathematics and physics education. We offer undergraduate degrees that will prepare students for jobs in the industry, K-12 education, or further studies in graduate school. We also teach introductory mathematics and physics courses for science, pre-engineering, and human science students.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting directly to the Dean, the Department Head directs and participates in the departments teaching and other day-to-day functions and serves as its primary spokesperson and advocate. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing effective and inclusive leadership for the Department;
• Seeking to develop inter- and cross-disciplinary intersections to enhance programcompetitiveness;
• Hiring, managing, and evaluating departmental faculty and staff;
• Conducting regular faculty meetings;
• Fostering a positive department environment that supports excellent teaching, scholarship, and service;
• Establishing a collaborative department vision and agenda that aligns with the university and college strategic plans;
• Developing faculty class schedules every academic semester;
• Supporting students through mentoring, overseeing internships, and, where appropriate, facilitating curricular overrides;
• Teaching courses throughout the academic year;
• Maintaining academic development through research and scholarly activities;
• Attending appropriate conferences, including both professional and academic presentations;
• Supporting experiential learning activities, including undergraduate research;
• Facilitating curriculum reviews to maintain the viability of Biology department programs and their alignment with SACS accreditation requirements;
• Participating in the College Executive Committee; Attending monthly meetings of the Council of Department Heads;
• Serving as the Departmental Budget Manager;
• Hiring, managing, and evaluating faculty and staff members in the department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned terminal degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Applied Statistics, Operations Research, or related fields from an accredited university.
• A record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service;
• A strong record of progressively responsible and relevant leadership experience;
• An awareness of current trends in higher education and a commitment to innovation in teaching and learning;
• A record of strong leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• An inclusive approach to managing and offering opportunities to all our faculty;
• A commitment to shared governance and a consultative leadership style.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong track record of leadership in shaping the future direction of Data Science;
• Experience and success with grant writing and extramural funding;
• A track record of teaching, research, and publications in Data Science and related fields;
• Record of successful outreach to and willingness to engage with the community;
• Experience with faculty evaluation, promotion, and tenure processes;
• Experience as a department head; Experience with accreditation.

Online application is required. Completed applications will be reviewed beginning November 11, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.For more information, contact Dr. Raymond Elson, Search Chair/Associate Dean and Professor of Accounting, The Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business, via phone 229-219-1214 or email relson@valdosta.edu.

Applicant materials should include the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching philosophy that includes a vision of how to create/update curricula to reach the needs and career goals of a diverse student body
• Research statement that includes their research interests and how to enhance the research mission of a regional public institution and increase opportunities for students and faculty
• Leadership statement that addresses contemporary challenges facing departments at regional comprehensive universities

Valdosta State University, founded in 1906, is a comprehensive university with a student enrollment of approximately 10,200. The city of Valdosta is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75, is served by a regional airport, and is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, visit https://www.valdosta.edu, and for more information about the community, visit https://www.valdostachamber.com.

Valdosta State University is an equal-opportunity educational institution. It is not the institutions intent to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

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