"Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services"

THE ADAMS CHAIR OF EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Middle Tennessee State University seeks an experienced health care professional to serve as the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services to engage an interdisciplinary group of scholars, in partnership with the community, to forge solutions to current health care concerns. This position will work collaboratively with the Center for Health and Human Services, a primarily externally funded public-health focused center, on mutually beneficial research and projects.

Middle Tennessee State University offers exceptional academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that prepare students to thrive in their chosen profession and prioritize student success. As one of Tennessee’s largest comprehensive universities, MTSU places high value on outstanding teaching, research, creative activity, and public service that support the emerging needs and challenges of our state, nation, and world.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

The No. 1 producer of college graduates for greater Nashville, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has more than 300 graduate and undergraduate majors and concentrations to help students reach their career goals. From the acclaimed academic programs and state-of-the-art facilities to MTSU campus life and its thriving Blue Raider athletic programs, MTSU is known for doing it all. With more than 250 student organizations, there is always plenty to do. Great facilities on campus are coupled with a college-friendly town, lots of local entertainment, plenty of access to athletic events, and a beautiful physical environment.

Situated at the geographic center of the state in Murfreesboro, MTSU is a comprehensive university that embraces its role as a preferred destination for Tennessee undergraduates while expanding its reach nationally and internationally through signature programs and select master’s and doctoral programs. The combination of high-quality programs, student resources, incredible scholarship programs, and low tuition costs is unmatched in Tennessee. In fact, MTSU has the lowest tuition rate of any major university in Tennessee.

With an enrollment of more than 20,000 students and more than 300 majors and concentrations, MTSU is the largest locally governed university in Tennessee. It is the No. 1 producer of graduates for the Greater Nashville economy; a top choice for first-generation and transfer students; a leader in adult degree completion programs; and home to the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, one of the largest and most comprehensive facilities of its kind on a college campus. MTSU Online features 73 fully online majors, concentrations, and certificates, offering accessible and engaging educational experiences students can access from anywhere in the world.

While MTSU has been named to The Princeton Review’s list of the Best Colleges in the U.S. six years in a row, it also has been named one of the best places to earn an undergraduate degree in the nation by The Princeton Review, which called it “a go-to choice for those wishing to receive a quality and affordable education.” It is also featured on the best colleges lists of The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and U.S. News and World Report.

Our Purpose

To fulfill its mission as a comprehensive, public institution of higher education, the University’s diverse community of students, faculty, and staff:

• Educates and challenges students through a broad array of high-quality, affordable bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs grounded in a common core of arts and sciences;
• Collaboratively promotes excellence through innovative teaching and learning, research, creative activity, service, and engagement;
• Fosters a student-centered environment conducive to lifelong learning, personal development, and success for all students, including first-generation, Pell-eligible, transfer, veteran, non-traditional, and international students;
• Enhances access through unique programs, distance learning, and advising to meet the needs of a diverse student population;
• Supports student learning through effective teaching and advising, experiential and integrative learning, emerging technologies, research, and co-curricular and extra-curricular activities;
• Attracts and retains exceptional faculty and staff and develops resources to support excellence in instruction, research, creative activity, and public and professional service;
• Develops and sustains academic partnerships, entrepreneurial activities, and public service to support instruction, research, and communities throughout the region;
• Promotes ongoing engagement with its alumni, partners, and friends; and
• Serves as an emerging center for international study, understanding, and exchange.

Middle Tennessee State University educates students to:

• Think logically, critically, and creatively;
• Make sound judgments informed by ethical, moral, and aesthetic values;
• Acquire knowledge of a discipline or a group of related disciplines;
• Examine, analyze, and shape the rapidly changing world through scientific knowledge, creative undertakings, and an understanding of culture and history;
• Communicate clearly and precisely and understand the proper role of free expression and civic engagement in our society; and
• Demonstrate the effective and adaptive use of current and evolving technologies.

Our Vision

To provide the highest quality education and student experience, enabling members of our community to excel in professional, scholarly, and public life.

Our Community Standards and Values

MTSU is committed to developing and nurturing a community devoted to learning, growth, and service. Each person who joins or affiliates with the community does so freely and accepts and practices the following core values and expectations:

• Honesty and Integrity. The notions of personal and academic honesty and integrity are central to the existence of the MTSU community. All members of the community will strive to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic achievement in the classroom and personal and social responsibility on and off campus.
• Respect for Diversity. The MTSU community is composed of individuals of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, cultures, and ways of thinking. We respect individual differences and unique perspectives as we acknowledge our commonalities.
• Engagement in the Community. All members of the community are encouraged to participate in educationally purposeful activities that support and enhance the MTSU experience. Active involvement and personal investment in academic and student life are hallmarks of an engaged citizen.
• Commitment to Nonviolence. MTSU is committed to the principles of non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution. Community members will freely express their ideas and resolve differences using reason and persuasion.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Middle Tennessee State University and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research are seeking an experienced leader for the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services position. The successful candidate will report directly to the Vice Provost for Research. The Chair of Excellence will develop and maintain a robust and ongoing extramurally funded program of research in health care which will be administered through a Center for Rural Health Care Research to be established by the candidate, serve as a resource in grantsmanship for faculty, and inspire faculty and students to progress in their research and scholarship endeavors. This position will work collaboratively with the Center for Health and Human Services, a primarily externally funded public-health focused center, on mutually beneficial research and projects.

Expectations

It is expected that the Chair of Excellence holder will fund 50% of their non-stipend salary and benefits with extramural funding by the end of the third year, with annual progress towards this goal each year, with 95% of non-stipend salary funded externally beyond Year 5. If at least 50% of salary and benefits are not covered by extramural funding the end of the third year, then the 95% threshold beyond year 5 will not likely be met.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary research leadership in health care at the state and national levels.
• Lead an interdisciplinary research team(s) around the topic of health care.
• Assist in the development of intellectual property and commercialization of their research.

Required Qualifications

Minimum required qualifications at the time of hire include the following:

• Terminal degree in health care or related field (including an MD) or closely related discipline offered at MTSU
• Record of scholarship/research in health care to qualify for faculty rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure

Desired Qualifications

• Healthcare Research Expertise: Applicants must demonstrate a strong record of healthcare and/or biomedical research through at least five peer-reviewed publications or evidence of impactful research leadership, such as serving as a principal investigator on a collaborative healthcare research initiative focused on human health and disease.
• Record of Sustained External Funding: Applicants must have a history of external funding, including at least one currently funded research project or a record of securing at least three (3) externally funded projects over the last 5 years.
• Leadership and Involvement in National Health Care Professional Organizations preferred

APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS

Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.

Applications

All application packets must include the following:

• A letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the position
• Current curriculum vitae or résumé
• At least four references with full contact information including e-mail (References will not be contacted without consent from applicant.)

Submit application materials online, preferably as PDFs. Additional information is requested with the submission of materials. For best consideration, complete applications should be received before August 25, 2025.

Nominations

Submit nominations with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated.

Consultant

Middle Tennessee State University has retained Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting to assist the Search Committee in its identification and review of The Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services candidates. Jennifer Barfield, Executive Vice President of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is the lead consultant for this search. Request a conversation regarding this search at JenniferBarfield@myersmcrae.com.