Associate or Full Professor & Chair, Department of English, Languages, and Media Studies; D-ELMS

Job Description Summary

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), a Top 10 Public HBCU and Carnegie classified research institution, invites applications for the position of Department Chair of English, Languages, and Media Studies. The position is a 12‑month appointment reporting directly to the Dean of the School of Education, Social Sciences, and the Arts (SESA). The Chair will oversee undergraduate programs in English, Media Studies, and World Languages, and lead strategic development in emerging areas such as Creative Writing (including comic script writing), Digital Humanities, Documentary Production, and Communication Studies.

UMES offers professional growth opportunities and generous benefits, including health benefits (medical, prescription, dental, flexible spending accounts), retirement plans, supplemental retirement accounts with a $600 annual state match, life insurance, tuition remission, employee assistance program, paid holidays, 22 days annual leave, 15 days sick leave, and 3 days personal leave.

• Provide academic leadership and administrative oversight for the department.
• Foster a culture of excellence in teaching, research, and service.
• Lead curriculum development and program innovation in traditional and emerging fields.
• Support faculty development and mentorship.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the university.
• Develop and implement strategic recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Manage departmental budget, scheduling, and assessment processes.
• Represent the department within the university and to external stakeholders.
• Teach undergraduate courses in one or more departmental areas.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• PhD or terminal degree in English, Media Studies, Communication, or a closely related field.
• Tenured Associate or Full Professor status (or qualifications commensurate with tenure at that rank).
• Demonstrated record of scholarly or creative output in the Humanities.
• Experience in academic leadership or administration.
• Deep knowledge of current trends and practices in Literary and Media Studies.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
• Ability to teach undergraduate courses in at least one of the department’s core areas.
• Familiarity with HBCU mission and values.
• Experience developing or leading programs in Creative Writing, Digital Humanities, or Documentary Production.
• Proven success in student recruitment and retention strategies.
• Experience with interdisciplinary curriculum design.
• Record of external funding or grant acquisition.
• Experience mentoring junior faculty and supporting faculty research.

• May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, sitting at a desk, and lifting.
• Requires communication with a variety of constituents externally and internally.
• Requires operation of a variety of office equipment.

• Ability to foster a collegial environment that encourages professionalism and teamwork.
• Ability to manage the details involved in running a department.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $155,000.

Application Materials:
Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter addressing qualifications and vision for the department, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching and leadership philosophy, and a list of names of three current professional references (current or past supervisor) including e‑mail address and telephone number (current supervisor will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior consent). All applicants must apply using the new online application system.

All applicants must provide acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America…