"Chair, Department of Sociology"

Job Details

Chair, Department of Sociology

Job Posting Number: 2026050TTL

Position Description

Texas State University invites applications for the Chair position in the Department of Sociology. The position includes a concurrent appointment as a faculty member at the rank of Professor. Applicants at the Associate Professor rank with strong potential for promotion to Professor at the time of hire will also be considered. The successful applicant will receive the appropriate rank and title based on University and departmental established standards.

The Chair (a 12-month position) is the leader of the department who manages its people, staff, and budget and is responsible to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. The Department currently has 26 full-time faculty, three adjunct faculty, 67 master’s students and four professional staff members. Last year, the faculty taught over 6,000 students, including 568 minors, with the university anticipating a 10% enrollment increase for the current academic year.

The Department of Sociology is a long-established unit of the College of Liberal Arts. At the undergraduate level, it offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Sociology, and minors in Sociology, Studies in Popular Culture, Aging and the Life Course, Latino/a Studies, and Sustainability Studies. At the graduate level, the department offers Master’s degrees in Sociology, Applied Sociology, Dementia and Aging Studies, and Sustainability Studies. Each of these programs prepare students for social research that explores the stories, behaviors, and connections that shape the world around us and help us to understand how society works.

The Chair is expected to exercise vision and leadership in scholarly activities, faculty development, curriculum, and professional service, with an emphasis on collaboration, community engagement, and the ongoing development and maintenance of outstanding on-campus and online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This “fiercely collegial” department includes tenured, tenure-track, instructional, and per-course faculty. It is essential that the new Chair demonstrates a commitment to a vision that is inclusive of growth and expansion, while supporting the teaching, research, grant-acquiring and professional advancement efforts of all Department faculty. The Chair is responsible for the following daily administrative oversight and management tasks, including but not limited to:

• Academic and administrative leadership in the department.
• Recruitment, retention, and evaluation of distinguished faculty who bring varied backgrounds, perspectives, and a commitment to institutional excellence.
• Promotion of professional development for faculty and staff.
• Promotion of a supportive student learning environment that maintains academic rigor and offers a professional training environment for students conducive to professional growth and success.
• Increasing scholarly and grant activity.
• Providing high-quality instructional programs.
• Advising, recruitment, and retention of students from a variety of backgrounds.
• Facilitation of strategic planning.
• Preparation, monitoring, and execution of the departmental budget.
• Oversight of curriculum and student degree plans.
• Effective collaboration with campus stakeholders.
• Effective collaboration with community stakeholders.
• Resource development activities.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Sociology or Related Field.
• Advanced Associate Professor (four years minimum) or Professor.
• Academic leadership that may include development or growth of academic programs; strategic planning; development of new facilities, funding, endowments, and partnerships; prior administrative experience as chair, coordinator, or center chair; or leadership in national organizations, societies, or nonprofits.
• Teaching, advising, or mentoring undergraduate or graduate students.
• Demonstrated excellence in scholarly publications or creative activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching courses at the graduate level and advising graduate students.
• Experience with strategic planning, budget management, and/or scheduling classes.
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting collegiality and advancement of faculty in various ranks, titles, and program specialties.
• Supervisory or leadership experience at any university level.
• A background or experience with the areas of sustainability, dementia/aging, or interdisciplinary studies.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly excellence evidenced by publication record, external funding, and interdisciplinary research experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and experience in building alliances and/or partnerships across the college, university, as well as academic and business communities, donors, and alumni.

Full Consideration Date:
Close Date:
Open Until Filled? Yes

Quicklink: https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/54458

For a detailed description of this position and to apply, visit https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/54458 or call (512) 245-2557 or visit our office at 601 University Dr., J.C. Kellam Bldg., Suite 340.

About Texas State and San Marcos:

Texas State University is a emerging research institution located in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio corridor and in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. It is the largest of eight campuses in the Texas State University System and one of the 75 largest universities in the country, with over 38,000 students and approximately 4,000 faculty and staff

Texas State is located in San Marcos, a growing community of over 50,000 people located about half way between Austin and San Antonio. Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the stately cypress and pecan trees on the campus add to the charm of the university's picturesque setting. Our location on the banks of the San Marcos River provides outdoor recreational activities throughout the year.

Why work @ Texas State?

• Amazing health insurance: various coverage options starting your first day of employment for full-time employees with Texas State paying 100% of the employee premium and 50% for your dependents!
• Generous paid time off: vacation, holidays, sick days and many more!
• Excellent work life balance resources: mother and family-friendly resources in addition to a comprehensive FREE wellness program
• Great professional development opportunities: choose from a variety of workshops, training, online learning and even access educational leave opportunities and reimbursement for academic courses
• An inclusive Bobcat community: join our many social networks offered on and off-campus
• Retirement peace of mind: TRS pension, retirement plans and voluntary saving options with generous employer contributions

By joining the Texas State Bobcat team, you’ll be a part of one of the most beautiful, diverse, and growing universities in the nation.