Director and Associate or Full Professor

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte engages in the interdisciplinary study of politics and governance in the United States and around the globe. Its mission is to provide education and training for undergraduate and graduate students; to conduct scholarly and applied research to advance the discipline; to facilitate a robust intellectual environment that values inquiry, collegiality and creativity; and to promote the service and community engagement missions of the university.

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration has 25 full-time faculty members, houses the MPA Program, and is a core department in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Public Policy. The Department's online BA degree program in Political Science has been ranked in the top four nationally by Forbes. Additional information may be found at: https://politicalscience.charlotte.edu/.

The Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration Program ranks in the top 20% nationwide of all ranked public affairs schools by US News and World Report. The MPA program offers concentrations in Urban Management and Policy, Nonprofit Management (Ranked #24), Arts Administration, Emergency Management, and Public Budgeting and Finance (Ranked #23). The MPA Program operates in an urban environment with strong ties to local government and nonprofit organizations, alumni, local chapters of the American Society for Public Administration, the North Carolina City and County Management Association, and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. The program offers courses both on the main campus and the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City in uptown Charlotte. Additional information may be found at: https://mpa.charlotte.edu/.

As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences houses 15 departments, 18 interdisciplinary programs, and 6 applied centers. We offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs with extensive honors and early-entry options. The College plays a pivotal role in delivering on the university's goals in the areas of research excellence, student success and experience, and community engagement. Through their scholarship and teaching, the College's 350+ faculty members seek to deepen our understanding of complex problems and lead the university in interdisciplinary collaboration.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty should be interpreted in the context of the related departmental and collegiate goals.
Teaching, Advising, Curriculum and Instructional Development - Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to teaching may include but are not limited to: subject matter competence, course design, course presentation, advising and consultation, directing student research, curriculum and instructional development, and grading student work.
Scholarly Research, Creative, and Other Professional Activities - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in expanding the knowledge base of their academic field by conducting research or engaging in other creative activities as appropriate to the faculty member's discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to research may include but are not limited to: research/creative activity that generates new knowledge and/or synthesizes and/or integrates existing knowledge, publication, an on-going agenda for research, scholarly, and creative activity, and are expected to seek extramural support for their work.
Service to University, the Public, and the Profession - All tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to engage in a program of service appropriate to their discipline. Faculty responsibilities and essential functions with respect to service may include but are not limited to: service to the administration and governance of the University, public service, and service to the profession.

To view the complete Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty document visit our website: https://provost.charlotte.edu/academic-budget-hr/academic-personnel-procedures-handbook/

The Public Administration Director will lead the Department's NASPAA-accredited and nationally ranked Gerald G. Fox Master in Public Administration Program (reaccredited until 2028). The director duties and responsibilities fall within the categories of Research (40%), Administrative (35%), Teaching (20%), and Service (5%).

The program director is responsible for overseeing all administrative tasks that fall within the purview of the position including (but not necessarily restricted to) strategic planning, management of the budget, monitoring of academic policies and procedures, curriculum development, class scheduling, student advising, representing the department at meetings and events, and interfacing with both on and off campus constituencies.

Research and teaching in one of the core areas of public administration, such as human resource management, organization theory, public management, nonprofit management, or public budgeting and financial management.

Required qualifications: primary research and teaching interests in one of the core areas of public administration, such as human resource management, organization theory, public management, nonprofit management, or public budgeting and financial management; demonstrated excellence in research that will contribute to and enhance the department's national reputation; and a commitment to teaching in a diverse environment.

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

Qualified candidates must have demonstrated excellence in research in public administration that will contribute to and enhance the department and program's national reputation; a commitment to teaching; evidence of leadership and community engagement; and a Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, or related field at the time of appointment. Previous administrative experience is desired, but not required. Candidates with an interest in urban resilience and sustainability are particularly encouraged to apply.

All applicants must apply online at https://jobs.charlotte.edu (Position #3103). Please attach the following documents with your electronic submission:

* Cover letter describing your research accomplishments and agenda, teaching experience and philosophy, leadership and community engagement, and administrative experience (if applicable)

* Contact information for three professional references; and

* Curriculum vitae (CV).

Finalists will be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage, include, and eliminate barriers to learning for UNC Charlotte students, and how their educational approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their entry pathway into the university.

Review of applications will begin December 2, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

Please contact Dr. Suzanne Leland, chair of the search committee, at smleland@charlotte.edu with any questions about the MPA Director position.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte maintains an Affirmative Action Plan prepared in accordance with Executive Order 11246 and the Consent Decree.

The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of their highest earned degree and submit to a criminal background check.