Chair - Associate Professor or Professor

Chair, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is pleased to announce a search for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Chair. Reporting to the Dean of the School of Health Professions, the Chair will have a full‑time, twelve‑month, tenured faculty appointment, depending on education, experience, and related qualifications. With responsibility for developing and implementing a robust strategic plan focused on establishing a world‑class department, the Chair’s primary and central goal is to develop activities across all four components of the academic mission: educational excellence, research and scholarship, faculty practice, and service. Supported by a well‑qualified faculty and administrative staff, the Chair will oversee all department administrative, operational, research, and patient care functions.

Program

The department currently houses an accredited Master of Science degree program in Speech‑Language Pathology (MS‑SLP) and a Graduate Certificate program in Communication Sciences (SLP Leveling Program).

Responsibilities

Program Direction

Qualifications for this position include meeting the ASHA‑CAA accreditation criteria to serve as program director of the speech‑language pathology graduate program.

Strategic Planning and Relationship Building

• Work collaboratively across UT Health in further developing and implementing an innovative and robust strategic plan for growth in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department. This plan should address each of the core missions of the academic health center: teaching, research, service, and patient care.
• Conduct ongoing assessment and evaluation of the department; proactively address and ameliorate any issues based on those assessments.
• Serve as the face of the department internally and externally.
• Further develop and expand the programs offered within the department.

Curriculum/Program Development, Teaching, and Clinical Practice

• Stay abreast of evolving changes and advancements in communication sciences and disorders/speech‑language pathology to ensure educational program excellence.
• Teach and perform instructional duties as required.
• Ensure program accreditation requirements are exceeded.
• Participate in clinical education and practice as appropriate.
• Participate in research and scholarship within the department, including supervising student research, where needed and appropriate.

Research and Scholarship

• Develop a strong research program within the department, including collaboration with researchers across the institution and achievement of federal research funding.
• Ensure faculty engagement and success in research and scholarship as demonstrated by the national /international invited scientific presentations and publication of their work in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Support grant development, submission, and success as demonstrated by grant awards and research expenditures.

Faculty Development

• Recruit, train, and mentor existing and newly hired faculty.
• Develop faculty in a manner that instills professionalism and encourages innovation in teaching and mentoring.
• Ensure tenure‑track faculty members are well‑prepared for successful promotion and tenure within the school and university.
• Assist faculty in advancing their skills across the department’s academic mission (e.g., teaching, research, service, and patient care).

Operational and Financial Management

• Oversee that appropriate processes and procedures are in place to ensure efficient day‑to‑day operations within the department.
• With support from the Dean’s office, ensure the fiscal well‑being of the department.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies for growing enrollment and extramural funding.
• Develop and implement a financially sound and cost‑effective faculty practice plan.

Qualifications

• An academic terminal degree in an area relevant to health professions education or practice (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D.);
• Full‑time experience in a Communication Sciences and Disorders higher education program;
• Previous leadership experience in a similar role is preferred;
• Applicants must be eligible for faculty appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in an accredited Communication Sciences and Disorders education program;
• ASHA‑CCC in Speech‑Language Pathology;
• A license to practice Speech‑Language Pathology in the state of Texas (or ability to gain licensure within 6 months of hire);
• Meeting the ASHA‑CAA requirements to serve as program director of the Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology degree program;
• Experience with national accreditation standards and requirements and state agency licensure regulations; prior experience with accreditation processes in a leadership role is preferred;
• Evidence of scholarly achievement, including published research within peer‑reviewed professional journals;
• Emerging or established national or international leadership in communication sciences and disorders;
• A clear vision for the future of the department, which includes achieving national recognition of its programs as among the best in the U.S.;
• Experience managing finances and budgets is preferred;
• Excellent communication skills and leadership based on developing and sustaining a consensus‑driven, collaborative and team‑building culture;
• A strong, progressive, facilitative, proactive, forward‑thinking leadership style.

All faculty appointments are designated as security sensitive positions. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including protected veterans and persons with disabilities.