Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

The College of Arts and Humanities invites nominations and applications for the position of
Chair of the Department of Communication. The preferred rank at appointment is Professor.
The five-year administrative term (renewable) begins July 1, 2026. While serving as chair, the
tenured faculty appointee will hold a 12-month appointment and be expected to teach one
course per year in the scholar’s area of expertise and contribute to the department’s outstanding
graduate program.

The Chair of the Department of Communication reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and
Humanities. As the chief academic, administrative, and financial officer of the unit, the chair is
responsible for course assignments, instructional workload, and scheduling; the appointments,
promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review processes; shared governance; faculty mentoring;
staff supervision and development; strategic planning; and budgeting. The chair also serves as
a liaison to other academic units of the College and University, as well as the wider community
of academic institutions, policy and advocacy organizations, foundations, and private donors
who support the department.

For more information about the University of Maryland’s Department of Communication, see
https://communication.umd.edu/

Candidates must possess the capacity to provide leadership in the areas of teaching,
scholarship, and administration. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a strong
commitment to academic excellence and to support an open and inclusive environment among
the diverse groups and disciplines within the department and across campus.

Preferences:
Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent, a demonstrated excellence in research, and
the capacity to provide leadership in the areas of scholarship, teaching, administration, and
institution-building.

Physical Demands: Typical office environment

Additional Information:

HOW TO APPLY: Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, names, and contact information
for three references, and a letter outlining the candidate’s vision for the future of the Department
of Communication with specific plans for the implementation of that vision. The statement
should include views on graduate education, undergraduate education, research, and
scholarship; community outreach; belonging and community; staff relations; hiring and promotion;
curricular and programmatic initiatives; the relationship of the department’s strategic mission
and vision to those of the College and University; and other issues of current concern before the
department.

It is expected that each finalist invited to campus will be asked to give a public presentation to
the department, interview with the search committee, faculty and staff in the department,
undergraduate and graduate students, and interview with the Dean and members of the Dean’s
office staff. A recommendation from the search committee should be forwarded to the Dean of
the College of Arts and Humanities no later than January 25, 2026. It is expected that the
appointment will begin on July 1, 2026.

For best consideration, applications should be submitted by November 1, 2025.

Those wishing to nominate colleagues should send their nominations to the chair of the search
committee, Professor Fabrizio Cariani, at fabrizio@umd.edu. Any questions about the search
can also be directed to Trevor Parry-Giles, tpg@umd.edu, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
and Research in the College of Arts and Humanities.

Additional Job Details

Financial Disclosure Required

Yes

Department

ARHU-College of Arts & Humanities

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$175,000-$210,000

EEO Statement

Resources