Overview
Position Title: Department Chair – Public Health Sciences
Department: College: College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Location: Clemson, SC
Open Date: Jan 31, 2024
Description
Clemson University’s Department of Public Health Sciences is seeking applications for the position of Department Chair, a tenure-line position with faculty rank of Full Professor, to begin July 1st, 2024 (flexible). The Chair will report directly to the Dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS), a college with a health-focus which includes the following departments: Communication; Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management; Political Science; Psychology; Public Health Sciences; Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice; and the School of Nursing.
The Clemson University Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) aims to improve health service delivery and public health practice through the integration of innovative research, teaching, and service. DPHS employs 33 full-time faculty, 5 post-docs, and is one of Clemson University’s fastest growing departments. Within DPHS, our faculty disciplines include epidemiology, biostatistics and informatics; community health promotion and behavior; and health systems, administration and policy. DPHS has a growing research portfolio with the number and total of grant awards rising annually. Faculty led research projects have been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Defense, as well as national, regional, and local foundations. Over the past 3 years, DPHS has received more than 20 million dollars in grant awards. On average, our tenure-track faculty published 6.8 peer-reviewed journal articles in 2021, spanning diverse national and global research topics such as rural health, addiction, cancer, health informatics, obesity and other chronic diseases, aging, infectious disease, and health policy.
The DPHS has been recognized by the Association of Prevention Training and Research and the Association of American Colleges & Universities as one of 15 exemplary undergraduate programs in public health. In 2017, it became one of the first stand-alone undergraduate public health programs to be accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH). We serve over 400 undergraduate health sciences majors, 120 Language and International Health Sciences majors, and 180 students in an undergraduate public health certificate. Undergraduate majors within DPHS have learning options in pre-professional health studies, health promotion and behavior, or health services administration. Our alumni use their degrees as launchpads into professional school (medical, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.), medical device sales, community development, hospital administration, health research, public health agencies, and program evaluation.
Over 20 MS and 26 PhD students are currently enrolled in the Applied Health Research and Evaluation Program and 11 students in a clinical and translational research certificate program. DPHS is a founding collaborator for the joint Biomedical Data Sciences and Informatics MS and PhD Programs between Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina. Additionally, DPHS proudly launched a new MPH program in August 2023, with a focus on rural health, health outcomes, and quality improvement. Graduate programs within DPHS focus on building methodological skills to conduct research and evaluation focused on improving health outcomes, effective and efficient health delivery services, comparative effectiveness of clinical outcomes, and implementation science.
The Center for Public Health Modeling and Response (PHMR) is housed with Clemson’s Department of Public Health Sciences. The mission of PHMR is to develop and utilize data-driven approaches to inform clinical and public health decision-making and assist the ability of health organizations and communities to prepare for, and respond to, public health threats. PHMR is comprised of 17 staff/faculty, including the director, research professor, 5 postdoctoral fellows, 4 graduate students, research manager, project manager, center administrator, data scientist, statistician, and software developer. PHMR is funded through the college (CBSHS), the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information can be found here: https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/departments/public-health/research/phmr.html.
Clemson Rural Health (CRH), housed within CBSHS, is the organizing framework for Clemson’s health service delivery and prevention efforts statewide. Locations include the Clemson Health Clinics at Walhalla and Orangeburg, Joseph F. Sullivan Center, Clemson Rural Health Support Office at Abbeville, and five solar-powered mobile health units. The mission of CRH is to improve individual and community health outcomes among underserved and rural communities throughout South Carolina by increasing access to quality health care and improving health equity through innovative, evidence-based approaches and strategic partnerships. CRH works closely with DPHS faculty on research and service to improve the health and well-being of South Carolinians.
The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) joins together a unique combination of schools and departments: communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; and sociology, anthropology and criminal justice. The college supports interdisciplinary centers, initiatives, and partnerships that advance its mission of Building Healthy Communities, including the Center for Research on Health Disparities, Clemson Food and Nutrition Security Initiative, Clemson Rural Health, and a partnership with Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital through the Institute on Engaged Aging. More information about our college may be found at www.clemson.edu/cbshs.
Clemson University is a doctoral granting R1 research, land-grant institution for the State of South Carolina. As a public, land-grant institution, Clemson’s mission goes beyond simply serving as an institute of higher education. Our mission is to benefit the public good. As one of the most productive public research universities in the nation, Clemson University attracts and unites students and faculty whose greatest desire is to make a difference in the lives of others. In 2021, Clemson was once again ranked as one of the top public universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report and has a long-standing reputation of dedication to teaching, research and service. Clemson was also named a top employer by Forbes in 2021.
Clemson University is committed to embracing and promoting an inclusive environment for higher learning. In 2021 Clemson received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine and was one of only 14 schools to be named Diversity Champion, scoring in top tier of all HEED Award institutions. DPHS is committed to education, community involvement, and reciprocal research that improves the quality of life and economic prosperity in the state and beyond.
The DPHS is focused on educating and producing leaders who can navigate the challenges of an ever-changing global community. The department espouses an environment of collegiality and collaboration and aims to achieve goals for inclusive excellence set forth by the college and university’s strategic plans. We are dedicated to promoting, advocating, and progressing diversity through teaching, scholarship, and service on campus and in the community.
An overview of our department is available here.
Position Expectations:
The expectations of the Chair include, but are not limited to:
- Provide visionary leadership to advance a culture of collaboration, transparency, and excellence.
- Enhance inclusive excellence among faculty, staff, and students in our department, college, and university.
- Manage and build the financial resources necessary to accomplish the mission of the department and the college.
- Execute and adapt the strategic plan to ensure alignment with and support of our college and university level strategic plans.
- Actively advocate for a multi-disciplinary department and its faculty, staff, students and enterprises.
- Enhance our strong state, national, and international reputation and increase our reach and impact.
- Support the mission and vision of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Science and the Clemson University strategic plan to elevate student experience, research growth, and service to the public.
Qualifications
To apply for this position, candidates should have at least three years of department, college, or university level administrative experience, be a Full Professor or eligible for Full Professor appointment based on DPHS criteria. The candidate will be a leader with a vision for helping maintain the department’s strong commitment to student success while advancing and expanding our research efforts as an R1 institution. Responsibilities include working with faculty staff to chart a vision for the future of the Department of Public Health Sciences, working collaboratively with college and university administrators, facilitating student recruitment, fundraising, budget administration, and personnel management. The ideal candidate will be fiscally responsible, possess excellent interpersonal skills, and demonstrate a strong sense of stewardship.
The ideal applicant will provide specific evidence of:
- Terminal degree, research, and teaching experience in Public Health Sciences or related fields;
- Experience with consensus-based shared faculty governance;
- Academic administrative experience (e.g., fiscal, human resources, operations, policy, development)
- Success in managing multi-faceted academic/program units;
- Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders;
- Demonstrated reputation for excellence in research and teaching;
- Experience in securing resources (e.g., major grants, donations, contracts, public/private partnerships, enterprise operations); and,
- Strong transformational leadership approach, with demonstrated acumen in organizational and interpersonal skills.
Application Instructions
The priority deadline is April 1, 2024, but applications may continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. To apply, please follow this link, http://apply.interfolio.com/140086 and upload the following: (1) a cover letter detailing the applicant’s qualifications for the position, (2) a current curriculum vitae, (3) a statement detailing how the applicant’s teaching, and research, and (4) contact information for five professional references.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the position please contact: Dr. Sarah Floyd, Search Committee Co-Chair, (864) 656-6946, sbf@clemson.edu; or Dr. Lior Rennert, Search Committee Co-Chair, (864) 656-7434, liorr@clemson.edu. This institution is using Interfolio’s ByCommittee to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can upload all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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