The Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at James Madison University invites applications for the position of Academic Unit Head (AUH) at the rank of Full Professor, with a PhD in Modern Languages and Literatures that complement the offerings of the department. The AUH is a 12-month tenured appointment with a 1-1 teaching load, beginning July 1, 2023.

The Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, which has approximately 50 full- and part-time faculty, offers B.A. in Modern Foreign Languages in Arabic, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Additionally, the department teaches Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Korean and Russian. Minors are offered in all degree languages, and Chinese and Russian. The Department supports interdisciplinary cultural studies and area studies minors as well as professional minors, which focus on practical understanding and culture for careers in business, law and medicine. It also partners with General Education and interdisciplinary teaching licensure.

We seek a collaborative and dynamic colleague with a strong record of research and teaching consistent with appointment at the level of Full Professor able to: demonstrate a collaborative leadership style working with colleagues both within and beyond the academic unit; communicate with transparency and clarity; articulate an ambitious, future-oriented vision for the Department; identify emerging program priorities and engage in strategic planning and implementation; support faculty teaching, research, and creative scholarship in disciplines represented in the department; manage enrollment and foster growth in undergraduate programs; and advocate for the Department in the ever-changing and challenging landscape of higher education. We seek a leader committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive community and affirming the richness and diversity of world cultures.

The College of Arts and Letters, in which FLLC is located, enrolls over 3400 undergraduate majors and about 150 graduate students across ten academic units in the humanities, social sciences, and communication studies. Home to several interdisciplinary centers and institutes, the College employs 270 full-time faculty. It is a university leader in student and faculty diversity and belonging and has made significant faculty investments in racial and social justice, Latinx studies, and African-American studies. It embraces the teacher-scholar model, supporting excellent teaching, innovative service, and strong programs of research and creative inquiry across the disciplines. The College provides rich opportunities for faculty to collaborate across the College and the entire university.

The hiring for this position aligns with the College of Arts and Letters’ commitment to diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who take an intersectional and intercultural approach to their teaching, research and scholarship, whose work can contribute to the College of Arts and Letters’ interdisciplinary programs and centers, and who can advocate for and promote modern languages, intercultural competency, cultural studies, and language acquisition.

Candidates must hold an appropriate terminal degree and have attained the rank of Full Professor, with record of teaching and research achievement meriting consideration of tenure upon appointment.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.