Call for Applications:
Director of Africana Studies Institute (ASI), the University of Connecticut
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences seeks applications for the Director of the Africana Studies Institute (ASI) at the University of Connecticut. Applications are welcome from tenured Associate professors who will have received tenure by August 23, 2018 and Full professors from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Directorship presents an exciting opportunity to work on the mission and activities of Africana Studies.
This is an internal search and appointment. ASI is an interdisciplinary academic program situated in CLAS with jointly appointed and affiliated faculty from across the schools and colleges of the University. ASI has both an undergraduate major and minor, and plans for a graduate certificate.
The Director reports to the Dean of CLAS. This is a 10-month appointment for five years and will begin August 22, 2018. The Directorship normally entails a one-course load reduction per semester. For more information about ASI, see our website: https://africana.uconn.edu/.
The Director will be expected to contribute to the intellectual life of the institute through his or her research agenda and mentor junior faculty. Additionally, the Institute supports programmatic endeavors such as symposia, conferences, and guest lectures. With staff support, the director will also coordinate and develop instruction and curricula to enhance the profile of ASI nationally through collaborative programming from within and without the University community. He or she will also be expected to develop long range goals for the growth and development of ASI and its major and minor and provide leadership in moving towards those goals.
The Director must have a distinguished record of research and teaching in Africana or African American Studies. The candidate should share the program’s commitment to interdisciplinary studies as well as have demonstrated experiences and success in working with diverse populations. The Director will work closely with an Associate Director to achieve all Institute goals.
Qualifications: In considering nominees, the following qualities are of particular interest to the search committee:
- Leadership, including resourcefulness in developing and achieving goals in teaching, research, and service;
- Ability to foster an environment supportive of teaching, research, and service;
- Administrative and organizational skills, team and consensus-building skills;
- Experience with managing program budgets;
- Ability to work with department heads and other directors of interdisciplinary programs;
- Ability to direct and support faculty, staff, and students;
- Accessibility: ability and willingness to communicate with all constituencies and strive to expand those constituencies;
- Ability to effectively represent the program;
- Ability to effectively recruit students to the major and minor;
- Understanding and support of the program’s role in the college and university;
- Ability to seek grants to enhance the mission of the Institute.
Application materials should include:
- Letter of application addressing qualifications for the position, especially prior administrative experience, budget management, grant applications, and/or experience directing other programs or institutes. The application letter should also speak to how the candidate’s research and teaching connects to ASI’s mission and goals.
- Vision statement regarding the future of the Africana Studies Institute (maximum 1000 words)
- Curriculum vita
Applications should be submitted as soon as possible but by no later than March 19 to Amanda Cannada (amanda.cannada@uconn.edu). Nominations may also be submitted to Martha Cutter (martha.cutter@uconn.edu) as soon as possible, but no later than March 5.
The new director is expected to begin on August 23, 2018. The Search Committee includes: V. Bede Agocha, Martha J. Cutter (chair), Micki McElya, Shawn Salvant, Monnica Williams, and Cyrus Zirakzadeh. For questions, contact Martha Cutter (martha.cutter@uconn.edu).
The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.
For more information, contact: Martha Cutter at martha.cutter@uconn.edu