"Department Chair, Engineering & Computer Science Department"

Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution with over 1,700 students enrolled in its 26 baccalaureate degree programs and 2 master's degree programs. Defying trends, Benedict College maintains a nearly equal male and female student population. This Midlands HBCU has welcomed students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world.   

JOB TITLE: Department Chair

DIVISION: Academic Affairs

SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Dean, School of Science & Engineering          

DEPARTMENT: Engineering and Computer Science Department        

 BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science at Benedict College invites applications for full-time, 12-month, tenure track appointment as Department Chair beginning in Spring 2025. 

We are seeking applicants who share our passion for providing high-quality curricular and co-curricular programs focused on developing future leaders in engineering. Applicants at the rank of Associate Professor should have at least 3 years of experience as an effective instructor, mentor, and researcher by the start date of employment. Applicants at the rank of Professor should have at least 7 years of experience. Experience in an administrative role is strongly preferred, as well as experience with the ABET accreditation process.

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science is committed to providing the education, ideas, and solutions needed to create a more sustainable world and fostering a pipeline for African-American students into the engineering fields. The Department offers majors in Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science, as well as a minor in Computer Science. The department is also responsible for teaching mathematics courses for STEM and non-STEM students across the College.

Under the direction of the Dean, the Department Chair serves as the principal administrator and instructional leader for the department. The department chair will be expected to teach up to 6 SCH per semester with 50% release time for coordination and supervision of full- and part-time faculty; assignment of teaching and advising loads; leadership for curriculum and program development; assessment of student learning outcomes; innovation of co-curricular enhancements; and coordination of experiential learning, retention activities, and internship and first-destination placements. The Chair will also be expected to serve on committees at department, school, and college levels; engage in scholarly research appropriate for their rank; and participate in public service initiatives.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Coordinates short-and long-range planning in accordance with the Benedict College’s Strategic Plan.
• Provides leadership for program area(s) including but not limited to student retention, recruitment, and placement; coordinates and publicizes departmental activities, including orientation, internships, placement activities, etc.
• Manages student and faculty issues, complaints, and concerns; provides academic and career counseling to applicants and students; monitors student progress to ensure a successful experience.
• Develops the master course schedule for the program area(s) each academic term
• Oversees yearly Student Outcome assessments for each program, for the purposes of ABET accreditation and continuous improvement
• Monitors classroom teaching and student records
• Manages department budget and resources
• Supports program, school and college initiatives after hours and/or on weekends, if required
• Maintains an active, scholarly agenda of research in discipline Supervises, evaluates, and hires full- and part-time faculty 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge in pedagogy and teaching techniques for first-time college students and students from underserved populations
• Effective instructional delivery and proficiency with instructional technology
• Demonstrated capacity to facilitate student learning and engagement
• Demonstrated commitment to professional responsibilities, student development, and service
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures

 Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering or closely related field Five (5) or more years teaching experience Evidence of teaching effectiveness Evidence of scholarly activity Evidence of leadership

 Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years teaching experience in higher education Evidence of scholarly publications and teaching effectiveness Evidence of proficiency with learning management systems and online teaching and learning.

 Qualified applicants should submit:

a completed Benedict College application, a cover letter addressing how you meet the qualifications of the position, a CV, a research plan, a teaching statement demonstrating knowledge of teaching first-generation college students and diverse student populations, unofficial transcript(s), a list of three references with contact information. Official transcripts and background check will be required before hiring. To ensure full consideration, complete application should be received by December 10, 2024.

Submit Application Packet to:

 Academic.affairs@benedict.edu

 Inquiries may be directed to:

 Dr. Jessica Furrer

Dean, School of Science and Engineering

Phone: 803-705-4868

Email: jessica.furrer@benedict.edu