College of Arts and Sciences-Professor and Chair-Tenured- Languages and Literatures

Position: College of Arts and Sciences-Professor and Chair-Tenured-World Languages and Literatures
School/College College of Arts and Sciences Title College of Arts and Sciences-Professor and Chair-Tenured-World Languages and Literatures Assignment Category Full-Time Rank Professor Tenure Status Tenured Payroll Status Faculty 9

Job Description

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks an innovative, visionary, and inclusive leader to chair the Department of World Languages and Literatures. This position begins in Fall 2026. We welcome applications from scholars and educators from all areas of the discipline of World Languages and Literatures.

A PhD with a specialization in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese or a comparable field is required, with preference given to candidates able to teach an additional language.

The successful candidate will enhance departmental efforts to promote student success through mentorship and innovative pedagogies, including proficiency-based learning and preparation for careers. Additionally, the candidate will work to increase student enrollment in the department's major, minor, and certificate programs. Essential proficiencies for this position include supervision and mentorship of both faculty and professional staff and the ability to manage budget models to achieve department and university goals.

We seek a leader who communicates effectively; advocates for each of the languages and programs represented in the department; builds strategic relationships throughout the university and the local and larger community; and works collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop visionary initiatives.

The successful candidate will demonstrate effective leadership experience. They will have a proven track record of effective service, teaching and mentorship, and a distinguished record of scholarly excellence that is consistent with appointment at the rank of Full Professor with tenure. Effective leadership includes demonstrating a collaborative leadership style; engaging with colleagues within and beyond the department; communicating with transparency and clarity;

identifying emerging department priorities; engaging in strategic planning and implementation; supporting faculty teaching, research, and creative activity; managing enrollment; and fostering growth in undergraduate programs and beyond.

The Department of World Languages and Literatures (DWLL) hosted the first International Symposium on Languages for Specific Purposes in 2012 and offers the only Spanish for Specific Purposes Certificate in Alabama and the Southeast. The DWLL has major tracks in both Applied Professional and Traditional Spanish and is the only department in the state with a major track in Japanese. The UAB DWLL was the first university department in Alabama to offer the Global Seal of Biliteracy proficiency rating to its students and now serves as a local test site to administer this proficiency credential.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is home to 19 academic departments and six Centers and Institutes. Our 19 departments - home to over 300 full-time faculty and more than 58 baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees - make us the largest academic entity in the UAB academic enterprise. We are home to research centers, community outreach programs, and interdisciplinary cooperation.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has - for more than five decades - produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service.

UAB was ranked #1 in the United States for 2018 and 2019 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Young University Rankings. In 2021, Forbes named UAB as America's No. 1 Best Large Employer, topping a list of more than 500 public and private corporations, hospitals, universities, Fortune 500 companies and more, across dozens of industries. Most recently, UAB earned the distinction of being named to the 2025 Great…