Chair, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

University of North Florida

Chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

The University of North Florida (UNF) seeks a collaborative and visionary leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. UNF, a member institution of the State University System of Florida, has an annual enrollment of over 16,000 and graduates more than 4,000 students each year. In 2022, UNF achieved R2 High Research Activity Status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning, and the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan explicitly calls for the University to position itself to be classified as an R1 Very High Research Activity university. UNF's strategic plan provides a roadmap to propel UNF to new heights, including becoming a Top 100 Public University and strategically growing to an enrollment of 25,000 students by 2028.

The College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) is the largest College at UNF with 5,852 students, which is over one-third of the University's total student population. COAS houses 15 academic units and offers over 30 undergraduate and 13 graduate degrees. COAS is the core of the University, helping to provide the intellectual basis upon which the four professional Colleges rest their applied curricula.

Housed within COAS, the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is one of the largest departments at UNF with over 1,333 majors (1,296 undergraduates and 37 graduates) and is a top-rated program by U.S. News & World Report. The Department fosters a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, with active research partnerships across the University and within the broader community. One hundred percent of students engage in research before graduation through taking a required research course, and 70% of students participated in an Experiential Learning Opportunity in 2024-2025 through internships, practicums, and data analytics/research methodology experiences. The Department currently has two staff members, 26 full-time faculty positions, and 30 adjunct faculty. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience, a concentration in child psychology, a Master of Science in Psychological Science, and an accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree in Psychological Science. The Department is currently exploring the development of a doctoral program, which would be the first for the unit, and the University has received Board of Trustee approval for a new behavioral sciences building, pending legislative approval.

The Department seeks a collaborative and visionary leader to guide them through significant growth and development and build consensus around the future of the department. It is highly collaborative, strongly values shared governance, and consists of faculty leaders throughout the University. The Department is seeking a Chair who can facilitate discussions, listen to input, and consider the diverse viewpoints of departmental faculty. As the Department's academic and administrative leader, the Chair is responsible for all educational, faculty, research, service, and outreach activities across Psychological and Brain Sciences. The Chair oversees the Department's operations and budget, manages resources strategically and responsibly, and works with the Dean to encourage philanthropic engagement and support. The next Chair will find opportunities to build on existing strengths and inspire new growth and connections across disciplines as well as with the greater community. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Chair will lead and implement a strategic planning and visioning process for the future; foster collaboration across departments; advocate for the Department at the college and university level; cultivate relationships across the College, University, and external community; advance student success; and promote excellence in teaching, service, and research. The next leader of the Department will need an understanding of and appreciation for unionized campuses and practice shared governance.

A Ph.D. in an area appropriate to psychological or brain sciences is required. The future Chair must have a record to earn tenure with the rank of full professor. The chair position is a 12-month administrative position.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile which can be accessed on the https://wittkieffer.com/positions/200937.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of North Florida in this search. Applications should be submitted by Monday, August 25, 2025. Application materials should be submitted using the https://apptrkr.com/6260263.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:

Alejandra Gillette-Teran and Sarah Seavey

UNFPsychChair@wittkieffer.com

The University of North Florida encourages applications from qualified persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran's status, disability, age, marital status, or gender.

Florida's "Sunshine Law" requires that all search committee business be open to public review.