Posted September 30, 2025

Chair of the Department of Communication

job requisition id JR102535

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

The College of Arts and Humanities invites nominations and applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Communication. The preferred rank at appointment is Professor. The five-year administrative term (renewable) begins July 1, 2026. While serving as chair, the tenured faculty appointee will hold a 12-month appointment and be expected to teach one course per year in the scholar's area of expertise and contribute to the department's outstanding graduate program.

The Chair of the Department of Communication reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. As the chief academic, administrative, and financial officer of the unit, the chair is responsible for course assignments, instructional workload, and scheduling; the appointments, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review processes; shared governance; faculty mentoring; staff supervision and development; strategic planning; and budgeting. The chair also serves as a liaison to other academic units of the College and University, as well as the wider community of academic institutions, policy and advocacy organizations, foundations, and private donors who support the department.

For more information about the University of Maryland's Department of Communication, see https://communication.umd.edu/

Candidates must possess the capacity to provide leadership in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and administration. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence and to support an open and inclusive environment among the diverse groups and disciplines within the department and across campus.

Preferences:

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent, a demonstrated excellence in research, and the capacity to provide leadership in the areas of scholarship, teaching, administration, and institution-building.

Physical Demands: Typical office environment Additional Information:

HOW TO APPLY: Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, names, and contact information for three references, and a letter outlining the candidate's vision for the future of the Department of Communication with specific plans for the implementation of that vision. The statement should include views on graduate education, undergraduate education, research, and scholarship; community outreach; belonging and community; staff relations; hiring and promotion; curricular and programmatic initiatives; the relationship of the department's strategic mission and vision to those of the College and University; and other issues of current concern before the department.

It is expected that each finalist invited to campus will be asked to give a public presentation to the department, interview with the search committee, faculty and staff in the department, undergraduate and graduate students, and interview with the Dean and members of the Dean's office staff. A recommendation from the search committee should be forwarded to the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities no later than January 25, 2026. It is expected that the appointment will begin on July 1, 2026.

For best consideration, applications should be submitted by November 1, 2025.

Those wishing to nominate colleagues should send their nominations to the chair of the search committee, Professor Fabrizio Cariani, at Fabrizio@umd.edu. Any questions about the search can also be directed to Trevor Parry-Giles, tpg@umd.edu, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research in the College of Arts and Humanities.

Additional Job Details

Best Consideration Date: November 1, 2025

Open Until Filled: Y

 Financial Disclosure Required

Yes

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department

ARHU-College of Arts & Humanities

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular 

Salary Range

$175,000-$210,000

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form 1-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.