Position Function:
This is a full-time, 12 month tenured/tenure-track administrative appointment as a Professor and Director of the School of Human Sciences. Salary is commensurate with qualifications, training, and experience and is accompanied with competitive benefits.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Mississippi State University (MSU) is a comprehensive land-grant institution with the largest on-campus enrollment in the state. All components of the university have a strong commitment to teaching, research, and service and have brought national and international recognition to the university.
At MSU, innovation thrives, and diverse academic units collaborate to create a vibrant intellectual community. The School of Human Sciences is a dynamic and interdisciplinary hub, offering education, research, and outreach programs that explore the complexities of the human sciences. The School of Human Sciences, with an enrollment of approximately 475 undergraduate and graduate students, provides education, research, and outreach/service in four overarching program areas including Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications (AELC), Agricultural Sciences (AGS), Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM), and Human Development and Family Science (HDFS).
Undergraduate Programs:
The AELC degree program emphasizes practical knowledge and hands-on experiences in teaching, leadership, and communications. Graduates are prepared to enter diverse career paths, including agricultural business, education, production, extension, and communications. The AGS program is designed to prepare students for a range of career opportunities in the agricultural industry. With a strong emphasis on practicality and problem-solving, AGS students succeed in careers such as sales, consulting, and production. The FDM program provides students with a comprehensive understanding and application on how interpret the impact of historical, cultural, social, economic, psychological, technological, and political factors on the apparel and retail industry. This program emphasizes the knowledge needed in apparel design, product development, and merchandising. The HDFS program embraces an interdisciplinary approach to studying the complex dynamics of children, youth, and families. Graduates of this program are prepared for diverse roles across the public and private sectors that promote optimal development and healthy family functioning. Career opportunities span early care and education, child, youth and family advocacy, family consumer science teacher education, extension, and administration. In addition, the School offers numerous certificates and minor programs including the Trauma Informed Child Advocacy endorsement.
Graduate Programs:
The School of Human Sciences offers various graduate programs: Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education (AEE), a Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in AEE, a Master of Science in Fashion Design and Merchandising, a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Science, and a Master of Science in Early Intervention. These programs provide advanced education and research opportunities for students looking to further their careers and expertise in these fields.
Area of Specialization:
School of Human Sciences.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
July 1, 2024.
Tenure Track Status:
Yes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director of the School of Human Sciences holds a pivotal role that bridges academia and the broader community. The Director reports to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the Director of the Mississippi State University Extension Service; this leadership position carries significant responsibilities. The Director supervises 44 employees (28 faculty, 9 adjunct faculty, 3 Extension Associates, 4 professional staff), and 4 support staff, while indirectly supervising approximately 145 other employees in various locations across the state, including 25 employees at the Child Development and Family Studies Center, 80 at the Extension Early Childhood programs, 13 graduate assistants, and 25 student workers. In addition, the Director provides dynamic leadership and strategic administration for the School's statewide teaching, research, and extension programs. The mission encompasses fostering synergy among the School's four distinctive programs, guiding them toward excellence.
The Director’s scope of influence extends beyond the School itself and is a key aspect when promoting collaboration with a range of state and nationwide teaching, research, and extension programs including the Child Development and Family Studies Center, Therapeutic Riding and Activity Center, MyPI, etc. In this multifaceted role, the Director also takes charge of budget and personnel management actions, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources to support the School's mission. Importantly, effective working relationships with diverse university units, clientele groups, local communities, government agencies, and professional societies are expected to be cultivated and sustained.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D., with at least one degree in Agricultural Education, Leadership, and/or Communications; Fashion Design and Merchandising; Human Development and Family Science; OR a closely related discipline. Demonstrated professional record and reputation in one of the above, or closely related, areas. Qualify for the rank of Professor within the School of Human Sciences.
Candidates should have demonstrated potential and/or experience in planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating teaching, research, and extension programs; grantsmanship and administering resources; and providing leadership for faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds and program areas. The candidate should have interpersonal communication skills to coordinate interdisciplinary programs with the School, other departments, government agencies, land-grant universities, clientele groups, related communities, and professional/commodity organizations.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Send a letter of application including qualifications and administrative philosophy and how these relate to the Director's position, vitae, and the names, addresses (including email) and telephone numbers of at least five professional references. Application may be made online at https://www.jobs.msstate.edu/ or submitted to:
Prof. Sadik Artunç, FASLA, FCELA
Chairperson, Search Committee for Director, School of Human Sciences
Department of Landscape Architecture
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Mail Drop 9725
Mississippi State University, MS 39762
E-mail: sa305@msstate.edu
Screening Date:
October 12, 2023 until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
