Chair, Integrated Studies

Florida Gulf Coast University
United States, Florida, Fort Myers
10501 FGCU Boulevard South (Show on map)
Oct 29, 2025
Job Summary Florida Gulf Coast University's College of Arts & Sciences invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Integrated Studies. This is an out-of-unit faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor with a 1-1-1 teaching load. The Chair reports directly to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. The Department of Integrated Studies provides students with the opportunity to design personalized, interdisciplinary degree paths that draw on courses from multiple fields while grounding them in civic engagement, integrative learning, and a capstone experience. The department emphasizes flexibility, student ownership of learning, and collaboration across disciplines, with an overarching focus on preparing students to meet the complex challenges of today's world and to succeed in a wide range of professional and personal pathways. The Chair will play a pivotal role in leading the department's mission and spearheading the ongoing development of an individualized major program, providing students with innovative opportunities to integrate knowledge across fields of study. Academic Department Chairs occupy a unique place in the continuum of academic administrators, as the facilitating link among Department faculty members, students, and higher administration. Chairpersons play five essential roles, serving as academic leaders of Department; representatives of their Department and faculty members to the rest of the University, especially higher administration; representatives of higher administration to their faculty members and Department; managers of Department resources; and, representatives of the Department and University to external bodies. Job Description Typical duties may include but are not limited to: Coordinating the development of and implementing the Department Vision and Goals Statement. Leading Department effort toward achieving University and College goals and initiatives. Developing a Department budget. Managing the fiscal affairs of the Department. Leading and coordinating Department strategic planning and curriculum development. Assigning and assessing the distribution of faculty workload including instructional, research, and service responsibilities. Promoting excellence in instruction, scholarship, and service. Leading and coordinating the governance of the Department. Leading the processes of faculty selection and ensuring that the appointment follows university, college, and departmental policies. Coordinating the professional development of faculty members. Leading the evaluation of faculty members for retention and promotion. Providing recommendations to the Dean and Provost regarding sabbaticals and other leaves for faculty and staff. Managing non-faculty staff members. Developing, leading, and encouraging outreach and public service efforts. Performs other duties as assigned Additional Job Description Required Qualifications: Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a humanities, social sciences, or closely related interdisciplinary field. Candidates with a terminal degree in another discipline may be considered if they demonstrate a sustained record of interdisciplinary teaching and research that engages with the humanities or social sciences. Record of scholarly achievement, teaching excellence, and service appropriate for appointment as an Associate Professor or Full Professor at FGCU (or equivalent standing at another accredited institution). Evidence of successful teaching and scholarship that crosses disciplinary boundaries. Demonstrated ability to mentor students in interdisciplinary or individualized academic pathways. Preferred Qualifications: Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a humanities or social sciences discipline, or in a closely related interdisciplinary field. Prior experience as a department chair, program director, or comparable administrative role in higher education. Candidates without formal administrative experience may also be considered if they have demonstrated significant academic leadership, such as leading program development, assessment initiatives, or community-engaged projects. Demonstrated experience in faculty governance, curriculum development, or program coordination that demonstrates readiness to assume chair-level responsibilities. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Skills in working in a rapidly developing regional comprehensive university with a focus on creating a student-learning environment among various academic disciplines. Ability to successfully develop relationships and interact with external university constituents in construction, business, and technology and to establish relationships internally. Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and coach faculty and students, and participate in regional/national seminars, workshops and committees. Ability to lead continuing education programs. Ability to deal effectively with a various range of learners and to use information technology as a pedagogical and professional tool. Ability to collaborate both within and outside of the university in the development and delivery of instruction. Ability to collaborate with other faculty to develop a shared vision of the future. Special Instructions to Applicants Appointment will be made at an out-of-unit faculty rank commensurate with the candidate's experience on a 12-month out-of-unit multi-year appointment basis with an anticipated start date of July 2026. Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida's Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU. Under Florida's Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request. Required Application Materials Unofficial transcripts Statement of Teaching Philosophy Curriculum vitae Cover letter Five (5) Professional References The position is listed as "open until filled", however applications received by December 15, 2025 will receive priority consideration. *This posting was revised on November 21, 2025 to update the Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities section to update ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and coach faculty and students, and participate in regional/national seminars, workshops and committees. FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.