"Director, School of Criminology, Society, and Politics"

Job Details

Director, School of Criminology, Society, and Politics

Position Type

Faculty

Faculty Track

Employment Status

Full Time

Months

12

Campus

Biddeford, ME

Description

The University of New England (UNE) is seeking dynamic and visionary candidates for the role of inaugural Director of the School of Criminology, Society, and Politics (SCSP) within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). SCSP is currently home to majors in Applied Social and Cultural Studies, Criminology, Global Studies, Political Science, and Sociology, as well as minors in Anthropology, Global Studies, Health, Law and Policy, Health, Medicine, and Society, Political Science, and Sociology. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking leader to redefine the School's future through strategic visioning and innovative program development, including promoting interdisciplinary opportunities. The Director will be instrumental in crafting and implementing innovative curricula, enhancing the diversity and reach of academic programs, and driving growth in student enrollment. A top priority will be to ensure that our programs are not only aligned with current workforce demands but also at the forefront of industry trends, especially in the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In addition to program development, the Director will lead efforts to recruit and mentor outstanding faculty, cultivate a collaborative and inclusive academic culture, and champion faculty excellence in teaching, research, and service. This role offers a comprehensive 12-month administrative appointment paired with a 9-month tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The successful candidate should start at UNE no later than July 2026.

Director, School of Criminology, Society, and Politics Search Profile

Review of applications will occur on a rolling basis and will begin on March 9 and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please submit the following materials:

• Current CV
• Cover letter
• Names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted prior to an on-campus final interview.

About the School of Criminology, Society, and Politics

The University of New England's School of Criminology, Society, and Politics is a dynamic and collaborative academic community preparing students for personal and career success. SCSP serves as a hub for innovation and dialogue, shaping graduates who are ready to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. Established through a significant transformation in 2025, the School prizes disciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking, experiential and applied learning, and robust, ongoing mentoring of students. In addition to housing five majors and six minors, the School is a major contributor to the recently revised Nor'easter Core Curriculum.

SCSP is home to 10 full-time faculty with active, impactful, and sustained research on a range of topics, including critical criminology, judicial politics, genocide, human trafficking, the politics of food, and more. The School is dedicated to cultivating informed, engaged, and ethical citizens equipped with durable skills that enable graduates to pursue professional opportunities of their choosing upon graduation. SCSP is home to an award-winning faculty that regularly mentor students outside of the classroom and involves them in high-impact practices, including research. Across the University, 46% of UNE undergraduates work with faculty on research projects, more than double the national average.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

CAS is the largest and most comprehensive academic unit in the University, exemplifying UNE's commitment to providing a transformative education. Located in Biddeford, the College consists of eight schools and two centers: the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Biological Sciences, the School of Criminology, Society, and Politics, the School of Mathematics and Data Science, the School of Education, the School of Marine and Environmental Programs, the School of Molecular and Physical Sciences, the School of Psychology and Brain Sciences as well as the Girard Marine Science Center and the Center for Global Humanities. With over 33 majors, 35 minors, and two master's programs spanning the humanities, arts, education, natural sciences, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, the College is a first-choice destination for students, faculty, and professional staff. With a remarkably diverse and balanced curriculum that includes robust applied and experiential options, UNE students graduate prepared for professional and personal success.

CAS offers a vibrant and supportive environment for faculty who are passionate about research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Faculty in CAS engage in scholarship across many disciplines including physical and life sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, and the arts. CAS faculty benefit from a collegial atmosphere, peer mentoring, and a commitment to teaching excellence, as well as support from the Office of Research and Innovation, which assists with funding, training, and infrastructure needs. Facilities include specialized labs in the Alfond Center for Arts and Sciences, Morgane Hall, the Girard Marine Science Center, and the Pickus Center for Biomedical Research, offering state-of-the-art resources for both faculty and student research. Additionally, major renovations to the Harold Alfond Center for Arts and Sciences are ongoing and will bring new spaces designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation.

Experiential learning is a hallmark of UNE's educational model, with undergraduates encouraged to enhance their classroom knowledge through research projects, internships, creative pursuits, and global study opportunities. No matter their discipline, students collaborate one-on-one with faculty mentors to create new knowledge and present original work. Interdisciplinary collaboration across programs is embraced. This immersive approach prepares CAS graduates for success in dynamic careers and top graduate programs upon earning their UNE degrees.

Mirroring the rest of the University, CAS is a welcoming community with a deep and abiding commitment to learning, personal development, and socio-economic mobility. We recognize that education is holistic, that students, professional staff, and faculty must develop a sense of belonging and purpose to make the most of their UNE experience. CAS professional staff and faculty are mission-driven and work in support of one another and our students. Our innovative teaching methods balance traditional and modern pedagogies, incorporating field work, labs, independent research, and global learning experiences. Our graduates are intellectually curious, globally aware leaders, and collaborators with the creativity, ethical grounding, and passion to drive positive change.

Responsibilities

The Director will be responsible for articulating and implementing a vision focused on growth, academic excellence, and innovation, grounded in data, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to stakeholder success. The Director will supervise and mentor all faculty and professional staff within the School and lead strategic initiatives related to program development, recruitment, academic advising, retention, and assessment. They will also teach courses aligned with their expertise and are expected to maintain an active research agenda that significantly contributes to their field, including disseminating peer-reviewed scholarly work and pursuing external funding as appropriate. As the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, the Director will work to advance the missions of the School, College, and University. They will promote excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and service while advocating for the interests of faculty, professional staff, and students.

UNE and CAS are poised for further growth, and the next Director will play a crucial role by ensuring the vibrancy of existing programs, thoughtfully adding new programs, and promoting interdisciplinary approaches between programs in the school and with programs housed elsewhere in the College and University. The next Director should possess the vision and skills to develop and align courses and programs that complement UNE's existing strengths, and to further build signature experiences that differentiate the School and College from other institutions. Additionally, the next Director should have sufficient fluency in AI to embed this rapidly evolving skill set into curricula to support student learning and career readiness.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or related field. Applications from candidates undertaking interdisciplinary research with broad potential for collaborative impact across the School, College, and University are especially welcome. While this is primarily an administrative appointment, the successful candidate should have expertise in Corrections and Law Enforcement or interdisciplinary areas that touch on the intersections of justice, law, and society. We seek candidates who value both theoretical and applied approaches and who have experience creating high-impact opportunities that give students the ability to translate their classroom learning into meaningful, hands-on experiences often with external partners. The ideal candidate has administrative experience in higher education at the assistant/associate department chair level or higher. Curriculum development and assessment experience are expected, as is the ability to mentor students and faculty. The successful applicant will have a teaching and scholarly record that warrants appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor at UNE.