Clemson University's Department of Political Science is seeking applications for the position of Department Chair, a tenure-line position with faculty rank of Full Professor, to begin July 1, 2023. The Chair will report directly to the Dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS), which includes the following departments: Communication; Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management; Political Science; Psychology; Public Health Sciences; Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice; and the School of Nursing.

The Department of Political Science offers courses in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public policy, and public administration. Students have the option of earning either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in political science. Graduate degrees include a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Ph.D. in Policy Studies. The MPA program serves working professionals throughout the region and provides important connections to South Carolina communities and Clemson’s land grant mission. The Ph.D. program has the primary objective of training policy scholars who can serve in academic, government, or other research settings.

Political science majors enjoy many small classes that foster research, critical thinking, student participation, and faculty-student interaction. The department is known for both teaching excellence and rigorous academic standards. Since 1990, political science faculty have won the Alumni Master Teacher Award, the Centennial Professorship Award, the Provost Excellence in Teaching Award, and numerous other teaching awards. The department draws from among the highest achieving undergraduate students and is a strong partner with the Honors College. Many of its undergraduate honors students have won major fellowships including the Truman, Knight-Hennessy, and Fulbright Scholarships.

The Department of Political Science faculty are active scholars, have authored or edited nearly four dozen books, and have published peer-reviewed articles in many of the top journals in the discipline. Areas of research foci are diverse, spanning American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, collaborative governance, rural and regional development, and health policy. In addition, faculty have won grants and financial awards from, among others, the National Science Foundation, the Fulbright Program, Olin and MacArthur Foundations, the Twentieth Century Fund, the Hoover Institution, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woodrow Wilson Center, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, U.S. Institute of Peace and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of State, IBM, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Department of Political Science is committed to educating and producing leaders who can navigate the challenges of an ever-changing global community. The department espouses an environment of collegiality and collaboration and aims to achieve goals for inclusive excellence set forth by the college and university’s strategic plans. We are dedicated to promoting diversity through teaching, scholarship, and service on campus and in the community.

The Department of Political Science has 400 undergraduate majors, 130 MPA students, and 25 Ph.D. students. The department has 26 full-time faculty (including post-docs and full-time lecturers) and 4 full-time staff. Clemson University is a land-grant public institution located along the shores of Lake Hartwell in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area is valued by many for its wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities, great weather, low cost of living, and friendly people. An overview of the Department can be found here .

Position Expectations:

The expectations of the Chair include, but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership to advance a culture of collaboration, transparency, and excellence.
• Promote diversity, equity and inclusive excellence among faculty, staff, and students in our department.
• Manage and build financial resources necessary to accomplish the mission of the department.
• Execute and adapt the strategic plan to ensure alignment with and support of our college and university level strategic plans.
• Develop and implement a plan to raise the research profile of the department in support of the University’s R1 mission.
• Maintain and model excellence in research scholarship -Promote interdisciplinary teaching, research and collaboration.

Clemson University

One of the most productive public research universities in the nation, Clemson University attracts and unites students and faculty whose greatest desire is to make a difference in the lives of others. In 2021, Clemson was once again ranked as one of the top public universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report and has a long-standing reputation of dedication to teaching, research and service. Clemson was also named a top employer by Forbes in 2021.

Clemson University is committed to embracing and promoting an inclusive environment for higher learning and has recently received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award (2021) from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine as well as one of only 14 schools to be named Diversity Champion, scoring in top tier of all HEED Award institutions.

To apply for this position, candidates should have at least three years of department, college, or university level administrative experience. The candidate will be a leader with a vision for helping maintain the department’s strong commitment to student success while advancing and expanding our research efforts as an R1 institution.

Responsibilities include working with faculty and staff to chart a vision for the future of the Department of Political Science, working collaboratively with college and university administrators, facilitating student recruitment, fundraising, budget administration, and personnel management. The ideal candidate will be fiscally responsible, possess excellent interpersonal skills, and demonstrate a strong sense of stewardship.

The ideal applicant will provide specific evidence of:

• Terminal degree, research, and teaching experience in Political Science, Public Affairs, Policy, Public Administration, or related fields;
• Experience with consensus-based shared faculty governance;
• Academic administrative experience (e.g., fiscal, human resources, operations, policy, development)
• Success in managing multi-faceted academic/program units;
• Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders;
• National demonstrated reputation for excellence in research and teaching;
• Experience in securing resources (e.g., major grants, donations, contracts, public/private partnerships, enterprise operations); and,
• Strong transformational leadership approach, with demonstrated acumen in organizational and interpersonal skills.

Review of applications will begin October 1, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please follow this link, http://apply.interfolio.com/110294 and upload the following: (1) a cover letter detailing the applicant’s qualifications for the position, (2) a current curriculum vitae, (3) a statement detailing how the applicant’s teaching, research, and/or service experiences contribute to a culture of diversity and inclusion, and (4) contact information for five professional references.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the position please contact: Dr. Lori Dickes, Search Committee Chair, (864) 656-7831, lorid@clemson.edu.

This institution is using Interfolio's By Committee to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can upload all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation.