Associate​/Full Professor and Department Head; Political Science

Prairie View A&M University seeks an accomplished, collaborative scholar-leader to serve as Associate or Full Professor and Department Head of Political Science, beginning Fall 2027. As the leader of the newly established Department of Political Science, the Department Head will shape its strategic vision and academic identity while advancing excellence in teaching, research, faculty and staff development, student recruitment and success, civic engagement, and public impact.

The role also includes developing academic and interdisciplinary programs, expanding research and external funding, cultivating government and community partnerships, supporting experiential learning and career preparation, engaging alumni and advancement efforts, and strengthening the department’s regional and national visibility. The successful candidate must be tenure-eligible upon arrival.  
*** The salary is determined in accordance with the University’s compensation structure and will be commensurate with the candidates’ education and experience, within the assigned salary range for this position.
***** Responsibilities:
** Strategic and Academic Leadership
* Lead an all-encompassing process for developing and implementing a shared strategic vision for the department. Establish departmental goals, priorities, performance indicators, and assessment processes aligned with the strategic plans of the College and University.
* Provide leadership for curriculum development, academic program review, assessment, and continuous improvement. Identify opportunities for new degree programs, minors, certificates, concentrations, micro credentials, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
* Ensure the quality, relevance, and integrity of the department’s academic programs and course offerings. Promote innovation in teaching, learning, civic engagement, experiential education, and the appropriate use of emerging technologies.  Faculty Leadership and Development
* Recruit, retain, support, and mentor a high-performing faculty. Foster excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, service, and community engagement. Support faculty efforts to publish scholarly work, develop research collaborations, secure external funding, and increase their professional visibility.
* Administer faculty evaluation, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review processes in accordance with University policies. Develop strategies for faculty succession, leadership development, and long-term departmental capacity.  Student Success and Enrollment Management
* Lead strategies to strengthen student recruitment, enrollment, retention, academic progression, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes. Use enrollment, course-demand, academic-performance, and student-success data to inform decision-making.
* Expand opportunities for internships, undergraduate research, experiential learning, civic engagement, study away, conference participation, and career preparation. Strengthen pathways for transfer students and relationships with community colleges and other educational partners, as appropriate.  Research and External Funding
* Maintain an active and externally funded research program aligned with the department’s mission and disciplinary standards. Publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals and present research at professional conferences.
* Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research, scholarship, and creative activity. Advance a departmental research agenda that builds upon faculty expertise and addresses significant public, political, governmental, legal, and societal issues. Support faculty scholarship and encourage interdisciplinary research across the College and University.
* Encourage and support faculty efforts to secure grants, contracts,…