TITLE: Chair, Associate Professor of Counseling

DEPARTMENT: School of Psychology

REPORTS TO: (Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences) 

CLASSIFICATION: Faculty/Staff -12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB: 

As the Chairperson of the School of Psychology, the ideal candidate will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to advance the academic, research, and service missions of the unit. The candidate will oversee faculty and staff, promote excellence in teaching and scholarship, foster a culture of inclusion and collaboration, and represent the unit within the university and external stakeholders. Additionally, the candidate will have experience with programmatic accreditations, ensuring that academic programs meet rigorous standards of quality and excellence.

As a Faculty Member in the School of Psychology at Kentucky State University, the ideal candidate will contribute to the academic mission by teaching courses (online and residential), conducting research, providing mentorship to students, and engaging in service activities. The candidate will play a vital role in preparing future counseling professionals through innovative instruction, scholarly inquiry, and professional leadership.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic planning to advance the goals and objectives of the School of Psychology in alignment with the university's mission and priorities.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, retention, and professional development of faculty and staff, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of unit operations.
• Lead curriculum development and assessment efforts, ensuring that academic programs meet accreditation standards and prepare students for success in their academic and professional pursuits.
• Manage the accreditation process for counseling graduate programs, including preparing self-study reports, coordinating site visits, and addressing recommendations for improvement.
• Allocate resources effectively to support teaching, research, and service activities, including faculty workload assignments, budget management, and facilities planning.
• Foster a culture of excellence in teaching and scholarship, recognizing and supporting faculty achievements in research, teaching, and service.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships within the unit, across the university, and with external stakeholders to enhance research, teaching, and outreach initiatives.
• Represent the School of Psychology within the university administration, advocating for unit needs and priorities and fostering positive relationships with other academic units and administrative offices.
• Serve as a mentor and advisor to faculty and staff, supporting their professional development, career advancement, and work-life balance.
• Engage in fundraising and development activities to secure external funding, endowments, and resources to support departmental initiatives, scholarships, and research projects.

Teaching:

• Develop and deliver graduate courses in counseling and psychology.
• Employ innovative and effective teaching methods to engage students in high-impact learning processes.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the counseling and psychology curriculum.
• Provide academic advising and mentorship to students.

Research:

• Conduct original research in the field of counseling and psychology.
• Publish research findings in reputable journals and present at academic conferences.
• Actively seek external funding to support research initiatives.
• Collaborate with colleagues and industry partners on interdisciplinary research projects.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students involved in research activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Comprehensive understanding of counseling theories, principles, and practices
• Understanding of legal and ethical guidelines governing counseling practice and education
• Awareness of current trends, issues, and best practices in counseling education, training, and practice

• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated ability in teaching and curriculum development at the baccalaureate level or above
• Skills in cross-cultural communication and multi-cultural competence
• Performance-based curriculum design and research

• Capacity to adapt to changing circumstances, navigate challenges, and seize opportunities for growth and improvement
• Capacity to cultivate strategic partnerships and collaborations with other departments, institutions, and community organizations
• Ability to respond effectively to crises or emergencies and provide support and guidance to stakeholders during challenging times
• Ability to empower faculty, staff, and students to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the departmental mission

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

The Chairperson of the School of Psychology has supervisory responsibilities for the unit and may also include the following:

Research Supervision:

• Guide and mentor undergraduate and graduate students involved in research projects.
• Provide support and direction for students conducting research in counseling and/or psychology.
• Facilitate a productive and positive research environment within the academic setting.

Teaching Assistants:

• Supervise and mentor teaching assistants or graders assigned to courses.
• Provide guidance on teaching methodologies, grading standards, and other instructional aspects.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive teaching environment within the department.

Capstone or Senior Design Projects:

• Oversee and guide students participating in capstone projects or senior design projects.
• Provide mentorship to student teams working on practical engineering projects.

Student Advising:

• Act as an academic advisor, guiding students in course selection, career planning, and academic goals.
• Provide mentorship and support for students' academic and professional development.

Internship or Co-op Program Oversight:

• Supervise students participating in internship or cooperative education programs.
• Collaborate with industry partners to facilitate meaningful learning experiences for students.

Collaborative Research Teams:

• Lead or participate in collaborative research teams involving other faculty members, researchers, and students.
• Provide guidance on project management, research methodologies, and academic publications.

Committee Participation:

• Serve on departmental or university committees, contributing to decision-making processes.
• Collaborate with colleagues on academic and administrative matters.

Community Outreach Programs:

• Supervise students involved in community outreach or educational programs related to manufacturing engineering.
• Engage in initiatives that connect the university with the broader community.

It's important to note that the extent of supervisory responsibilities can vary, and these duties are often in addition to the core responsibilities of teaching, research, and service. Additionally, the specific nature of supervisory roles may depend on the department's policies, the needs of the academic program, and the preferences of the individual assistant professor.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Ability to sit at a workstation for extended periods
• Occasional ability to lift, carry, and put away parcels weighing up to 20 pounds
• Normal physical mobility, which includes movement from place to place
• Normal physical strength to handle routine office materials and tools
• Normal endurance
• Periodic travel, including airline travel and overnight stays, may be required.

OTHER DUTIES: In addition to the essential job functions, a faculty member in the School of Psychology at Kentucky State University may be involved in various other duties and activities contributing to overall academic and institutional goals. These additional duties can include:

Student Recruitment and Retention:

• Participate in student recruitment efforts to attract high-quality students to the counseling and psychology programs.
• Implement strategies to enhance student retention and success.

Professional Society Involvement:

• Engage actively in professional societies related to counseling and psychology.
• Attend and present at conferences organized by professional organizations.
• Contribute to the visibility and reputation of the university through professional affiliations.

Student Research Lab Development and Management:

• Contribute to the operation and maintenance of the Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory.
• Supervise and mentor students working in research and laboratory settings.

Industry Collaboration:

• Establish and maintain partnerships with industry organizations and companies.
• Facilitate opportunities for students to engage in internships, cooperative education, or collaborative projects with industry.

Grant Writing:

• Seek external funding through grant writing to support research projects and educational initiatives.
• Collaborate with colleagues on multi-disciplinary grant proposals.

Curriculum Review and Revision:

• Participate in regular reviews of the counseling and psychology curriculums.
• Suggest and implement updates to align with community needs, industry trends, and emerging technologies.

Faculty Development:

• Mentor junior faculty members.
• Participate in faculty development programs to enhance teaching and research skills.

Public Engagement:

• Engage in public lectures, workshops, or events to disseminate knowledge and promote the field of counseling and psychology.
• Contribute to the university's role in the broader community.

Participation in Accreditation Processes:

• Contribute to the preparation and documentation required for accreditation reviews.
• Engage in activities to maintain and enhance program accreditation.

International Collaboration:

• Explore opportunities for international collaboration, such as exchange programs or joint research projects.

It's important to note that specific duties can vary based on the department's needs, the faculty member’s expertise, and the evolving priorities of the university. Faculty members are often encouraged to engage in a diverse set of activities to contribute to overall academic excellence and institutional development.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Counseling or Psychology from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in academic administration, preferably in higher education.
• Experience with programmatic accreditation processes, preferably in counseling or psychology.
• A distinguished record of scholarly achievement, teaching excellence, and service contributions in counseling or psychology.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of departmental leadership and decision-making.
• Experience with budget management, resource allocation, and strategic planning in an academic setting.
• Ability to inspire and motivate others, build consensus, and lead change initiatives in a dynamic and complex environment.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in higher education administration.
• Integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to upholding the values and mission of the university and the School of Psychology.

LICENSING AND CREDENTIALING:

• Eligible for licensure in the state of Kentucky

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.