Head and Professor - Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling

About Auburn:
At Auburn, our work changes lives. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a premier public institution, Auburn University is dedicated to shaping the future of the people of Alabama, the nation, and the world through forward-thinking education, life-enhancing research, scholarship, and selfless service. Auburn is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, community outreach, a positive work environment, student engagement, and a thriving community.

Chartered in 1856, Auburn University holds a Carnegie classification of Research 1:
Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production. The university also holds the Elective Classification for Community Engagement. Academic programs at Auburn enroll approximately 28,000 undergraduate students and 6,200 graduate and professional students. Detailed information about the university can be found by visiting https://auburn.edu/.

Why employees choose Auburn:
Auburn University was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the state of Alabama’s best employers, with employees staying an average of ten years. Employees enjoy competitive benefits that include top-notch health insurance, generous retirement plans, tuition assistance for employees and dependents, flexible spending accounts, and more.

POSITION:
Head and Professor. This is a 12-month tenure-track position in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling beginning Fall 2027. This faculty member will be hired to serve as the unit leader for the department, which works to improve education and health through research, outreach, and teaching.

The department offers a B.S. degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, and in Special Education;
Minors in Counseling, and in Special Education for Health and Related Service Professions; MEd’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Collaborative Teacher Special Education, Early Childhood/Elementary Special Education P-6, and in School Counseling; and a PhD in Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education, and Special Education. Also offered are certificate programs in three areas - Transition Specialist, Vocational Evaluation Forensic, and in our Educational to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences (EAGLES) program, which has a substantial footprint across campus and in the community.

Additionally, the Auburn University Regional Autism Network (RAN) is a statewide initiative.

The department includes 28 full-time faculty members and 12 full-time staff members. As of Fall 2026, undergraduate enrollment was 242 and graduate enrollment was 171. Research interests of faculty members include various aspects of special education, rehabilitation and disability studies, counseling psychology, and counselor education. The department is housed in the College of Education, which includes three other academic units and boasts an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,650 and a graduate enrollment of approximately 850 (as of Fall 2025).

The university’s commitment to excellence is outlined in the Auburn University Strategic Plan 2035:
Grounded & Groundbreaking (https://ocm.auburn.edu//) and the College of Education Strategic Plan 2035 (College of Education Strategic Plan 2035 | College of Education). Review of applications will begin December 4, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide visionary and collaborative leadership for all aspects of the department, including but not limited to:
  • Leading effective and efficient academic and administrative operations
  • Recruiting, developing, and evaluating faculty
  • Overseeing and facilitating curricular development, review, and revision
  • Fostering excellence in teaching,…