Department Chair of English

Georgia State University is a national model for innovation and opening opportunities for all, among the top five most innovative by U.S. News & World Report, ranked 1st among public universities in undergraduate teaching, the number 1 nonprofit university to award bachelor's degrees to African American students, 4th in the country for its first-year student experience, and highly ranked for enabling the social and economic mobility of its students. Among the most diverse universities in the nation, Georgia State opens global perspectives as the number 1 U.S. public university sending African American students to study abroad.

A regional gateway to higher education, the five suburban Perimeter College campuses provide more than 30 associate degree pathways. The downtown Atlanta campus offers more than 250 degree programs in 100 fields of study at the undergraduate, graduate and first-professional degree levels.

With five university-wide research centers and numerous centers and institutes at the college and school levels, Georgia State's interdisciplinary, dynamic and productive research enterprises address major health and societal challenges. It is one of only 146 universities with an R1 designation from the Carnegie Foundation, an honor reserved for the nation's most active research institutions. Outgoing research expenditures have doubled in the last decade and topped $1.2 billion over the last six years, an indication of the University's rapid research growth.

Georgia State is vital to the regional economy, with a more than $2.9 billion economic impact, and is also a vital part of Atlanta's vibrant arts and entertainment community, with highly regarded programs in music, art, creative writing and film, the Rialto Center for the Arts, and the Creative Media Industries Institute that contributes to innovation and the workforce for interactive media and media entrepreneurship.

General information on faculty roles and responsibilities can be obtained from the Faculty Handbook https://faculty.gsu.edu/faculty-handbook/ and the Office of Faculty Affairs website https://faculty.gsu.edu/. All faculty at Georgia State are, as part of their essential job duties, expected to: (1) be physically present on-campus as needed to contribute to Georgia State's in-person educational experience, and (2) be able to teach in each of the following instructional modalities - in-person, online, or blended/hybrid - as determined by their Department Chair or Dean.

The English Department at Perimeter College gives students far more than just skills, rules, and basic elements of good writing. In our courses, students gain the ability to think analytically and critically. That's important today when employers seek candidates who can problem-solve in an ever-changing world. At Perimeter College, students learn how to communicate effectively, think creatively and clearly articulate a well-reasoned solution. Because all students are required to take at least two composition courses, the English Department is one of Perimeter College's largest academic departments, with 70 full-time faculty members and 40 part-time instructors. Our instructors are highly credentialed, and our primary responsibility is teaching. All faculty teach first-year composition and are dedicated to providing exceptional quality instruction in core areas, so students may take classes with experienced, dedicated professors from the start. In all of our courses-from literature to creative writing, learning support to composition-our focus is student success.

Perimeter College invites applications for the next chair of the Department of English. As the chief administrative and academic officer of the department, the chair is responsible for overseeing the delivery of academic pathways and programs in alignment with the strategic plans of both the college and university. This includes hiring and evaluating faculty and staff, budgeting and resource management, and managing the schedule of courses to ensure that offerings meet student demand. This authority requires approval from the Dean and the Provost. Additionally, as part of the college administration, the chair coordinates departmental activities with those of other units within the college and university, collaborating with other administrators to support the development and implementation of college initiatives. This position reports to the Dean of the college or a designated representative.

The chair is the official representative of the department in all official communications with the dean, the dean's office, the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the President, and other officers of the university, and also in all departmental communications with the department's faculty and students. The chair is responsible for making an annual report to the dean of the college on the teaching, scholarly and creative activities, and service work of the department.

The chair's key responsibilities include:

The chair shall be evaluated by the faculty of the department at least every three years. This evaluation is conducted by the dean, who notifies the President of the results of this evaluation which is used in the overall evaluation of the chair's performance. Chairs are also reviewed annually by their immediate supervisor.

Additionally, department chairs will be expected to:

The chair will join other new leaders at Georgia State University during a pivotal point in the institution's history. In 2021, Georgia State welcomed Dr. M. Brian Blake as the university's eighth president, and in 2023, Dr. Nicolle Parson-Pollard was appointed Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. In 2024, Dr. Barbara Johnson joined Perimeter College as its third Dean. The chair will have the unique opportunity to define and implement new initiatives informed by the university's strategic plan Blueprint to 2033, Our Place, Our Time.

Disclaimer: This job requisition provides a high-level job definition. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive or exclusive list of job duties. As such, job duties and/or responsibilities within the context of this job requisition may change at the discretion of the employee's direct supervisor.

Terminal degree in departmentally related teaching field at the time of appointment.

A criminal background check is required.

Position may require non-standard hours (including day, evening, online, hybrid, weekend and/or other campus locations).

Otto Burianek
oburianek@gsu.edu

Georgia State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status in its programs, services, activities, employment, and/or admissions. Additionally, the University promotes equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans through its affirmative action program.

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.