Job Description

TITLE: Chairperson, School of Psychology

DEPARTMENT: School of Psychology

REPORTS TO: Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

CLASSIFICATION: Faculty

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 40 hours per week

LOCATION: On-Site Main Campus

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Chairperson serves as the chief administrative officer and academic leader of the School of Psychology. The Chair is responsible for strategic leadership, fiscal management, faculty development, curriculum innovation, student success, and stakeholder collaboration across existing and expanding academic programs.

The Chair oversees all undergraduate and graduate offerings within the unit—including the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology, minors in Psychology, Sociology, and Interdisciplinary Intelligence Studies, the Certificate in Social Issues and Human Relations, and Master of Arts (M.A.) concentrations in Forensic Science and Forensic Counseling.

Crucially, the Chair will lead strategic expansion efforts, including Securing and maintaining programmatic accreditation at the Master’s level (e.g., APA/MPCAC) and leading the design, implementation, and future accreditation (e.g., APA) of a newly envisioned Ph.D. program in Psychology.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Academic Program Administration: Direct all operational, administrative, and strategic activities across the School’s academic portfolio.
• Program Expansion & Accreditation:
• Lead ongoing programmatic accreditation efforts at the Master’s level (e.g., APA Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology Master's Programs / KBEP alignment).
• Champion the initial conceptualization, curriculum modeling, resource acquisition, state approval, and APA accreditation rollout for a doctoral (Ph.D.) program in Psychology.
• Ensure institutional alignment with SACSCOC accreditation standards.
• Faculty & Staff Governance: Lead unit meetings; oversee recruitment, retention, tenure, promotion, post-retirement appointments, and performance evaluations; and foster continuous professional growth.
• Student Success & Enrollment: Drive metrics related to student recruitment, matriculation, retention, advising, practicum placements, and graduation rates across undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Resource & Fiscal Management: Manage and optimize the School’s operational budget and actively seek revenue-generating, grant funding, or donor opportunities.
• Teaching & Mentorship: Maintain an active presence in instruction (face-to-face and online) and uphold student-centered, active-learning pedagogy.
• Community & Institutional Engagement: Build key partnerships with local, state, and criminal justice/mental health agencies, represent the unit on institutional committees, and facilitate the School's Advisory Council.
• Maintain administrative oversight of all programs in the School of Psychology:
• B.S. in Psychology
• M.A. in Psychology (Forensic Science & Forensic Counseling concentrations)
• Academic Minors and Certificate programs
• Lead the program design, faculty recruitment, resource planning, and accreditation processes for a new Ph.D. program.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts to achieve and maintain Master's-level programmatic accreditation.
• Manage the School’s annual operational, equipment, and departmental budget.
• Preside over unit faculty meetings and guide departmental policy development regarding academic standards, course offerings, and scheduling.
• Make formal recommendations on faculty appointments, reappointments, tenure, and promotion in alignment with University policies.
• Teach assigned undergraduate and/or graduate courses and coordinate academic advising efforts.
• Build external partnerships with healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, state boards (e.g., KBEP), and community agencies for student practicum, research, and workforce pipelines.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Accreditation Leadership: Comprehensive understanding of APA, regional (SACSCOC), and state-level licensing board standards (e.g., Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology).
• Graduate & Doctoral Program Expansion: Expertise in developing graduate-level curricula, practicum/internship supervision structures, and research infrastructure necessary for Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
• Administrative Competency: Demonstrated skill in budget management, project management, data-informed decision-making, and conflict resolution.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with diverse students, faculty, external stakeholders, and community partners.
• Technology & Systems: Proficiency in learning management systems (LMS), administrative software (e.g., Microsoft Office), and academic assessment tools.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position does have supervisory responsibility.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: An earned Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Psychology or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Academic Rank: Faculty rank of Associate Professor or Professor preferred; Assistant Professor with an exceptional record in teaching, research, and administrative leadership will be considered.
• Administrative Experience: Minimum 2–3 years of academic leadership experience at the department, college, or university level (e.g., Department Chair, Program Director, Committee Chair).
• Track Record: Demonstrated success in curriculum development, program assessment, and specialized accreditation (e.g., APA, MPCAC, CACREP, SACSCOC). Experience building or managing graduate/doctoral programs is preferred.

Licensing and Certifications:

• NA

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent m