Chair and Professor of Africana Studies

The Department of Africana Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver invites applications for the position of Department Chair and Professor. The new Chair will be appointed with tenure at the rank of Full Professor and must have a demonstrated track-record to support such an appointment, as well as leadership experience, outstanding teaching, impactful scholarly output, and meaningful community engagement. Candidate expertise may be in any of the fields represented within the department, including, but not limited to: African American history, diaspora, gender, social movements, afrolatinx experiences, arts, spirituality and religion. This is a 12-month administrative appointment reporting to the Dean of the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, beginning August 2023.

Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Department of Africana Studies are committed to active and strategic initiatives in our work toward educational equity and promoting a culture of access and inclusion for our students, staff, and faculty. We seek to sustain an inclusive community where all individuals at MSU Denver and in the Department of Africana Studies are respected, feel a sense of belonging, and are provided proper resources and skillsets to be successful. This success is not limited to our liberal arts and sciences focused education, but also to the broader development of our students as engaged citizens and valued contributors to their discipline, the community, and our society.

At MSU Denver, we recognize the value of everyone and every group as part of an inclusive community of belonging. The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences has a vibrant Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement that highlights those values. Differences can include but are not limited to culture, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, sex, physical appearance, pregnancy, marital/partner status, age, (dis)ability, neurodiversity, creed, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, class, education, gender identity/expression, veteran status, political affiliation, political philosophy, and more. We recognize that these differences can be visible or invisible.

MSU Denver enrolls 17,000 students, where over 60% are first generation, and over 50% are students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) located on a vibrant tri-institutional campus in the heart of downtown Denver and near to the Rocky Mountains. As the third largest institution of higher education in Colorado and the only institution with an open access mission, MSU Denver is a model university for today's college students. The University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals students. Qualified candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, student advising, professional development/scholarship, and service in an inclusive and diverse environment are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Craft and implement departmental goals and strategic plans to increase the impact and presence of the department both on campus and in the community (i.e., expanding community partnerships).
• Develop specific strategies to attract students to the discipline. This not only includes the increase of majors and minors, but also increased enrollment and opportunity for all MSU Denver students in introductory and general educational courses within the discipline.
• Cultivate and support an inclusive and engaging environment for all faculty, students and staff.
• Work in coordination with the dean's office, other chairs and student affairs to build cross-disciplinary opportunities for faculty and students.
• Continue to build upon the department's regional and national reputation through community partnerships, alumni engagement and supporting faculty in these efforts.
• Maintain a strong, clear commitment to excellence in teaching and advising.
• Direct and steward the Africana Studies Department's budget, scheduling, hiring processes, and personnel evaluation.
• Maintain an impactful research portfolio and teach both upper and lower division courses.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a PhD, EdD, or terminal degree in African/African American/Africana Studies, or a related Social Science or Humanities field with a focus on African/African American/Africana Studies
• The applicant must have earned the title of Associate or Full Professor and meet MSU Denver's guidelines for appointment at the rank of Full Professor (see MSU Denver department guidelines)

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of experience or more as a Department Chair or in a university leadership position(s)
• Extensive experience with curriculum development, budgets, personnel and scheduling
• Demonstrated success in teaching and supporting a diverse student population
• Strong and sustained record of research and publications in the discipline of Africana Studies
• Demonstrated ability to manage a complex academic organization and work effectively with colleagues across the university
• Evidence of effective community involvement, outreach, leadership, and demonstrated ability to forge partnerships, secure scholarship funding and build productive relationships with both campus and external constituencies including alumni

Salary for Announcement

MSU Denver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, free RTD pass, and more. For more information, see our Benefits section below.

Complete applications received by Friday, March 24, 2023 at 11:59 PM MST will receive full consideration, but applications will be accepted after this date until the position is lled. All applications must be submitted through the university's online system, .

1. Curriculum vitae

2. Letter of application

3. Names and contact information for three professional references

Ocial transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Open Until Filled

MSU Denver is pleased to offer our current and potential employees a wide array of benefit options. To learn more, please visit the following link:

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 50% first generation students and over 45% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.