Department Head, Computer Science

Summary of Job Duties

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (UAFS) seeks applications for the Department Head and Neal Pendergraft Leadership Endowed Chair to be appointed at the rank of full Professor. The position will start July 1, 2026.

The Department Head serves as the primary administrator and leader for the academic unit and reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The successful candidate will teach a 15-credit hour courseload during the 12-month contract year. Administrative duties include managing full-time and part-time faculty, academic program development and growth, program evaluation and assessment, and collaboration across the university and with industry leaders.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and administration of the Department of Computer Science
• Coordinate recruiting, hiring, evaluation, and retention of qualified faculty and staff
• Manage the department’s fiscal year budget, development funds, and other expenses
• Create curricula and semester course schedules centered upon student success
• Coordinate outreach, recruitment, marketing, and fundraising to support departmental programs
• Engage with programmatic and industry advisory boards
• Teach various computer science courses in their area of expertise and others as needed
• Maintain scholarly and research activities appropriate to a full professor
• Encourage and advocate for scholarly and research activities in department faculty and students
• Participate in service at the department, college, university, community, and professional levels

Required Education and Work Experience

• Ph.D. in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited institution
• Demonstrated experience in an academic or professional leadership position for at least three years, supervising others and being a team leader
• Scholarly record commensurate with appointment as a full professor at UAFS
• Demonstrated experience in the effective use of technology in the classroom, developing instructional materials, and delivering distance learning
• Demonstrated commitment to first-generation and non-traditional learners and pedagogical experience in support of a broad range of students
• Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills