Professor & Department Head of World Languages & Cultures, Fall 2026

The Department of World Languages and Cultures at the University of Tennessee Knoxville is seeking applications for the position of Department Head. The positions start date is August 1 2026.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is the states flagship institution a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university UTK is committed to excellence in learning scholarship and engagement with society.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures has undergraduate as well as graduate programs. The head is responsible for care of the department through recruitment and development of the faculty including recommendation for hiring promotion and salary increases; assignment of courses; assignment of office space; development and review of the curriculum; encouragement and support of faculty in teaching research and service; representation of the department in the college and university and in the community outside the university.

The head is also responsible for support of the department through employment and supervision of staff personnel management of departmental physical facilities and equipment preparation and defense of the departmental budget and gift funds and authorization of any expenditure from the departmental budget and gift funds.

Finally the head is also responsible for working with the College of Arts and Sciences advancement team to cultivate donors to support the work of the department.

Applicants must be from the University of Tennessee System and hold the rank of tenured full Professor or be eligible for appointment and tenure at the rank of full professor. A PhD degree in a related field is required.

We seek an individual with a distinguished record of ongoing research excellent teaching and relevant administrative experience. Strong leadership and communication skills including conflict resolution skills; the ability to work collaboratively with all colleagues staff and students; and a commitment to fairness and budgetary transparency are important.

The position requires a strategic thinker with an interdisciplinary perspective who advocates for all programs in the department prepares and defends the departmental budget and supports both tenure-stream and non-tenure-track faculty equitably in their work.

Key responsibilities also include fundraising and alumni engagement as well as recruiting and retaining students.