South Midwest HERC

Description:

The University of Houston (UH) is seeking strong applicants for the position of Department Chair in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD) at the rank of Full Professor. Ranked 39th in the nation by US News and World Report, COMD is committed to excellence in research, education, and service. In addition to facilitating a collaborative environment within the department, the chair must offer leadership, strategic vision, and management for an array of academic, clinical, and research programs. The successful candidate must have exceptional communication, a vision for department success, and the ability to recruit, mentor, and support faculty and staff.

Qualifications
Earned Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders or a related field
Tenured, full professor with a strong record of research/scholarship and teaching
CCC or equivalent is preferred
A history of or potential for leadership, including experience in administration, fiscal management, and guiding organizational growth

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Vision: Provide strategic leadership and direction for the department’s academic, research, and clinical programs. Inspire faculty, staff, and students toward achieving departmental and university goals.

Research & Scholarship: Promote and enhance the department's research activities, supporting faculty in securing external funding and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

Academic Excellence: Ensure the highest standards in academic programs, overseeing curriculum development, teaching, and student mentoring. Maintain alignment with accreditation standards and the University’s mission.

Community & Professional Engagement: Build and sustain partnerships with local, national, and international organizations, enhancing the department's impact and visibility.

Administrative Management: Oversee the department’s administrative functions, including budgeting, faculty recruitment, and staff development. Ensure efficient and effective management of resources. Oversee compliance with academic accreditation standards.

Communication & Representation: Serve as the primary advocate for the department, representing its interests and achievements at the college and university levels. Collaborate closely with college and university leadership to enhance the department’s visibility, secure resources, and align departmental goals with broader institutional priorities.

The University of Houston is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, a Carnegie designated Tier One public research university, is approaching 100 years of academic excellence and community engagement. Founded in 1927, UH serves more than 46,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of programs across 15 colleges, fostering innovation in fields such as energy, medicine, health care, hospitality, business, education, law, STEM, and the humanities. With internationally renowned faculty, a growing campus, transformational student success initiatives, and a deep commitment to public service, UH prepares students to thrive both in the classroom?and beyond.

The University's prime location in the fourth-largest city in the US supports extensive industry partnerships and experiential learning opportunities.?The University of Houston is located with convenient access to downtown and is within four miles of the internationally recognized Texas Medical Center, which consists of more than 30 medical facilities, affording numerous opportunities for collaboration. Houston is home to world-class museums, acclaimed theaters, and fine dining. Houston thrives as a center?for innovation, education, and arts, fostering a unique blend of community charm and modern progress.

About COMD
COMD is well positioned in UH’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), the largest college on campus. The department is home to approximately 20 tenure and non-tenure track faculty, numerous clinical educators, and dedicated staff. At the undergraduate level, we serve approximately 350 students. In addition to BA/BS degrees in communication sciences & disorders, we offer a post-baccalaureate leveling program in speech-language pathology and a BA in Interpreting and Translation American Sign Language (ASL)/English. At the graduate level we have approximately 80 students across our accredited MA program in speech language pathology and 10 in our newly developed Ph.D. program. Our newly renovated building is specifically designed to support our mission, and our on-campus clinic provides essential services to the greater Houston area, addressing a wide range of disorders across backgrounds, ages, and etiologies.

Application Process
Application reviews will begin on November 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Written letters of recommendation will be requested from final candidates. Questions regarding the application or position may be sent to Amber Thiessen (althiess@central.uh.edu) or Ferenc Bunta (fbunta@central.uh.edu).

Interested candidates should submit:
A letter of interest highlighting their qualifications and vision for the department
A current curriculum vitae
Leadership philosophy statement
Research statement
Contact information for at least three professional references

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidate.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.