Chair of the Department of English
Colorado State University
Posting Detail Information
Working TitleChair of the Department of English
Position LocationFort Collins, CO
Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person
Posting Number202400123F
Proposed Annual Salary Range$100,000 - $150,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)
+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
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Position TypeFaculty
Work Hours/Week40
Description of Work Unit
The Department of English, located in the College of Liberal Arts, is a community of arts, humanities, and social science scholars who create and extend knowledge and artistry that develops reflective citizens and confident leaders. Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. We value diversity and inclusion in the workplace, aspiring to a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where their talents are fully utilized, and where all individuals can bring their full selves to the role. We promote the CSU Principles of Community – Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice –https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/resources/principles-of-community/. We therefore encourage applications from all individuals who share these values and we prioritize a fair and equitable search process that strengthens a diverse, creative, and effective community.
The English department at CSU is a vibrant and diverse community comprised of poets, linguists, literacy researchers, teacher educators, novelists, literary scholars, rhetoricians, and composition specialists. This department is home to 35 tenure stream faculty, 48 contract, continuing, or adjunct faculty, 7 administrative personnel, approximately 325 undergraduate majors, and 75 graduate students. We share a passion for exploring the multiple and dynamic ways that the English language is used to promote thriving communities in the twenty-first century. Students, staff, and faculty are committed to inclusive excellence, intellectual growth, and the creation of a more just and sustainable world.
Tenure/Tenure Track?Yes
% Research15
% Teaching15
% Service0
% Administration70
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on08/12/2024
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date01/01/2025
Position End Date
Position Summary
The College of Liberal Arts at Colorado State University is searching for a Chair of the Department of English who is ready to lead a large, innovative department into new opportunities. The successful candidate must be able to articulate a vision for a land-grant Department of English at an R1 university.
The Chair of the Department of English provides leadership in the largest department in the College of Liberal Arts, is responsible for the curriculum, administration of the budget, and hiring of faculty and staff; represents the department on the college’s Council of Chairs; is responsible for long-range planning and growth in line with the departmental vision; and is responsible for acquiring outside funding to help advance research and teaching within the department. We seek a colleague with the ability to articulate and implement a visionary leadership strategy; foster academic excellence and innovation; further strengthen flourishing graduate programs; encourage interdisciplinary and engaged scholarship; and promote collegiality and cooperation within the department. The successful candidate will be well-versed in social, cultural, and linguistic diversity and in approaches that emphasize the transformative power of literacy to promote equity and access and to enact social change.
This is a tenure-track faculty position. The Chair holds a 12-month appointment expected to start January 1, 2025, with an initial term of five years (available for renewal). Should the Chair position end, assuming satisfactory performance, the successful candidate would return to a 9-month tenured faculty appointment in the Department of English at a 9-month salary.
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Required Job Qualifications
+ Ph.D. or other terminal degree in an English discipline, or closely related field at the time of the appointment;
+ Tenured advanced Associate (4 or more years in rank), or Full Professor with tenure at the time of the appointment;
+ Demonstrated excellence in scholarship/creative activity and teaching, with the ability to contribute to one or more of the department’s five programs (Literature, Creative Writing, Rhetoric/Composition, English Education, (Applied) Linguistics/ TESOL );
+ Demonstrated administrative leadership experience in areas such as managing a budget, strategic planning, hiring, curriculum, personnel and policy decisions, etc.;
+ Demonstrated commitment to recruiting and retaining diverse students, faculty, and staff.
+ Demonstrated commitment to promoting shared governance, equity, and transparency as a leader.
+ Experience advocating for the value of the humanities among stakeholders with diverse backgrounds across multiple levels of university leadership; and
+ Demonstrated skills in teaching and advising undergraduate and graduate students.
Preferred Job Qualifications
+ A deep commitment to the collegiality and interdisciplinarity of the Department of English;
+ Demonstrated commitment to valuing and supporting contract, continuing, and adjunct faculty;
+ Evidence of effective team building, facilitation, and management skills appropriate to a large faculty;
+ Demonstrated effective interpersonal as well as written communication and public speaking skills;
+ Demonstrated ability to prepare, administer, and adhere to departmental budgets;
+ Evidence of both ideas and skills necessary to move the department forward on a path that is consistent with the strategic plans of the University and the College;
+ Ability to promote departmental and college advancement and development activities, including contact with alumni and potential donors;
+ Commitment to support faculty scholarship and creative activity, including grant development and other avenues of professional development;
+ Ability to effectively communicate the value and necessity of English programs to students, administrators, and donors.
Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, please submit the following documents by the full consideration date:
+ Cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the position
+ CV
+ Research/Creative Activity Statement
+ Leadership Philosophy (up to 2 pages, uploaded in the “Other” document placeholder)
+ Names and contact information for three references
References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .
Diversity Statement
Personal and professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by involvement in teaching, research, creative activity, service to the profession and/or diversity/inclusion activities.
Search ContactMarilee Long Marilee.Long@colostate.edu
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryAdministration
Duty/Responsibility
Chair of Department: oversee faculty and staff recruitment and evaluation processes; lead and advise regarding curriculum development; administer department budget; lead department in service and outreach; represent department to larger university and community constituencies.
Percentage Of Time70
Job Duty CategoryInstruction/Advising
Duty/Responsibility
Teach graduate and undergraduate courses; advise MA, MFA , and/or honors undergraduate students.
Percentage Of Time15
Job Duty CategoryResearch/Scholarship
Duty/Responsibility
Maintain an active agenda of scholarship and publication within the limitations of the heavy administrative responsibilities of chair.
Percentage Of Time15
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
+ Cover Letter
+ Curriculum Vitae
+ Research/Creative Work/Artist Statement
+ Other
Optional Documents
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