Working Title: Academic Unit Head for the Department of Psychology

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Department: 100053 - Psychology

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 10/31/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

James Madison University (JMU) invites applications for the position of Academic Unit Head for the Department of Psychology in the College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS). We seek a visionary leader who emphasizes a commitment to undergraduate education including active collaboration with faculty and staff. The successful candidate will provide leadership for the JMU Department of Psychology and participate in leadership of CHBS as a member of its Leadership Council. We are an R2 institution with a strong teaching focus and productive research labs.

CHBS is committed to shaping a forward-thinking and dynamic environment by refining policies, practices, and processes that strengthen our community, drive real-world advancement, and maintain spaces conducive to individual and collective growth. Through education, scholarship, and service, individuals are inspired to make responsible and meaningful contributions to the college, campus, local community, and broader world. Join us in fostering collaboration and innovation as we grow a dynamic college that embodies an atmosphere of belonging, champions excellence, and shares a sense of purpose. James Madison University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a thriving environment where a wide range of perspectives are embraced, and fairness is upheld.

The Department of Psychology is a thriving and supportive academic unit with 29 full-time faculty members and 1200 undergraduate majors. The department provides significant contributions to the General Education Program and we co-direct the Psychological Sciences master’s degree program with the Department of Graduate Psychology. The mission of the Department of Psychology is “to educate students in, and contribute to, the science of psychology.” To this end, the department offers a wide variety of innovative learning opportunities, including working on student-centered research projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The position is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty appointment at the Full Professor rank. Consideration of tenure will be made at the time of appointment. The Academic Unit Head reports to the Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies, in which Psychology is one of eight academic units in the College. The desired starting date is July 1, 2026.

Responsibilities include providing visionary and collaborative leadership in a variety of endeavors, including instruction, extramural funding, department governance, faculty development, program assessment, curriculum planning, community outreach, and advocacy for the department both within and beyond the University. The Academic Unit Head will collaborate with other academic units in the College and with the Dean’s office to work towards the College’s strategic goals. Other responsibilities include teaching within the department, being research productive, and performing service at the department, college, and university levels.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
Successful candidates will demonstrate: (1) experience working with students, faculty, and administrators, individually and in team endeavors; (2) evidence of leadership experiences; (3) experience supporting and advancing a sense of belonging among students, faculty, and/or staff; (4) evidence of excellence in teaching; (5) evidence of substantial accomplishments in scholarship and potential for future scholarly contributions; (6) evidence of substantial commitment to service at the department, college, university, and/or discipline levels; and (7) a doctoral degree in Psychology or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:
Preference will be given to candidates who share evidence of effectiveness in academic leadership roles, including effective personnel and fiscal management.

Additional Posting Information:

Review of applications will begin October 31, 2025. To apply, please submit the following:
1) a cover letter briefly providing an overview of the required qualifications (see Qualifications section)
2) a statement of administrative leadership philosophy (submitted under "Other Document #1")
3) current vita
4) contact information for three references.

For questions, please contact Dr. Kevin Apple, Search Chair, 540-568-3696 or applekj@jmu.edu.

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.