Chair, Department of Philosophy

Howard University (HU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair of the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Our standard practice is to open all Department Chair searches to external candidates, as well internal candidates.

We are a pluralistic department with a concentration of faculty conducting research in African, African American, and Afro-Caribbean philosophy. Howard University is home to the only standalone department of philosophy at an Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The department focuses on excellence in undergraduate instruction and services BA programs in philosophy and bioethics as well as the BA/JD 3+3 program in addition to contributing to the curriculum of programs throughout the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS). Our department is unique in offering both breadth and depth of study in Africana Philosophy at the undergraduate level.

The Department of Philosophy at Howard University is searching for a senior scholar with demonstrated leadership and administrative experience to serve as Professor and Chair of the department. The ideal candidate will be a scholar with either complementary or unique strengths that will contribute to the success of the department. In addition to a senior scholar with administrative experience and a strong research profile the department seeks a candidate with a vision to build an exceptional department. The administrative and leadership statement should speak directly to potential plans, initiatives, programs etc. the candidate would work to implement in the department. Scholars with research specialization that will help recruit majors from a largely Black and predominantly female student population are especially encouraged to apply.

The Department of Philosophy seeks a dynamic, energetic leader with the ability to effectively engage faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies in a collegial and collaborative manner. The Chair will have a strong record of excellence in collegial academic leadership, faculty development, fundraising, and financial management. This is an outstanding opportunity for a creative leader at an exciting time in the continued growth of the Department, College, and University.

The Chair represents the Department as part of the college’s leadership team and is responsible for the Department’s faculty and staff recruiting, development, retention, resource attainment, financial management, and stakeholder relationship management. The Chair manages a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and leads the Department in strong scholarship, teaching capacity, and outreach.

The Chair must be an active intellectual leader, adept at building and supporting multi-disciplinary partnerships within a diverse community, knowledgeable in higher education issues, collaborative in developing team-focused, data-driven approaches to problem solving, and possess strong people-skills.

Working in partnership with the senior administration of the College of Arts & Science, the successful candidate will be expected to embrace and contribute to the mission of the University.

Desired Qualifications • Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution; PhD in Philosophy preferred, but allied disciplines will be considered; • Record of professional accomplishments and scholarship that meet the qualifications for appointment to the rank of professor in the college; • Strong and sustained record of teaching excellence and interdisciplinary initiatives; • Strong and sustained record of research and creative accomplishments; • Administrative, personnel and budgetary experience at the department level; • Evidence of a commitment to and success securing external funding and fundraising; • Evidence of a strong commitment to helping students obtain a broad-based education; • Evidence of curriculum development including a commitment to collaboration and innovative pedagogies; • Evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members; • Demonstrated ability to manage a complex academic organization and work effectively with colleagues across divisions; • Evidence of effective community involvement, outreach, leadership, and demonstrated ability to forge partnerships and build productive relationships with both campus and external constituencies including alumni; • Evidence of recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and staff, as well as teambuilding, supervision, and staff support for professional development; and • Demonstrated commitment to student centeredness and optimization of student learning.

Established in 1867, Howard University is a federally chartered, private, doctoral/research extensive university located in Washington, D.C., and is widely recognized as one of the world's most prestigious institutions of higher learning. This renowned urban research university offers a world-class curriculum that includes undergraduate degrees in 80 subject areas, master's degrees in 75 majors, doctoral degrees in 31 disciplines and professional certification in 5 fields. The only comprehensive American university with a predominantly African-American constituency, Howard University is committed to preparing its students to not only be respected leaders in the national and global communities, but to also promote social justice and democracy the world over. Howard has historically educated more African-American PhD’s than any other university. It has a track record, for more than a century as the home to the single, largest concentration of Black scholars in the world.

Procedure for Candidacy Applications should include a cover letter, statement of administrative and leadership philosophy and curriculum vitae. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but should be received before November 15, 2023 for full consideration. Confidential review of materials and screening of candidates will begin immediately.

Contact Information: Dr. Michael Ralph michael.ralph@howard.edu Search Committee Chair

Or

Dr. Brandon Hogan Brandon.hogan@howard.edu

The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, religion, disability or protected veterans status. Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities or veterans status, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX should be directed to the Office of Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-806-1280.