Urban Planning and Development Department Chair

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Job Description:

The Department of Urban Planning and Development (UPD) in the College of Design at Iowa State University is seeking an administrator with demonstrated achievements in planning for the role of Department Chair to support and promote the interdisciplinary and collaborative work of all departmental faculty and staff.

As a Carnegie Foundation- designated Research-Extensive institution we seek an individual in the field who will support the departments long-standing scholarly excellence in education research and practice. The Chair will be expected to foster collegiality and enhance our unique land-grant university status by upholding and inspiring our work both on and off campus. The Department Chair will enrich our community as we pursue an appropriate balance in knowledge building and sharing innovation and entrepreneurship.

Founded in the late 1940s the program has a long history of excellence. The UPD department integrates research teaching and outreach consistent with the tenets of Iowa States land grant mission. Planning at Iowa State is known for strong community-based learning and scholarship and for maintaining a close relationship with the Universitys Extension and Outreach program. The department offers two accredited on-campus degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and Development (one of 16 accredited undergraduate planning programs in the United States) and a Master of Urban Planning and Development. The department also offers a fully online Master of Community Development program as well as graduate certificates in Geographic Information Systems and Heritage Preservation. The department supports joint graduate degrees between Planning and Sustainable Agriculture Architecture Landscape Architecture and Business Administration.

The successful candidate will oversee a diverse department comprised of 12 faculty with wide ranging experience and expertise including two faculty who hold joint appointments with Iowa State Extension and Outreach. The Chair will be an advocate for members of the department in their relationships with allied programs college and university administration alumni the profession and the public. We seek a candidate who can support all three dimensions of the land-grant mission: education research and outreach. Candidates must demonstrate experience and aptitude in strategic planning and facilitating communication to support success for students faculty and staff. As an academic administrator the candidate should possess an in-depth knowledge of the field of planning an understanding and appreciation of the breadth of planning research and practice and an appreciation for allied design disciplines.

The Chair is the designated executive officer of the department and is responsible for personnel matters including faculty recruitment and advancement budgeting departmental governance and collaborative engagements. The chair also maintains relationships with the departments extensive alumni network around the state region and nation. The Chair oversees the administrative operations of the department including teaching assignments as well as assessment and accreditation. The Chair serves at the pleasure of the Dean of the College of Design. The proposed start date for the position is July 1 2026. This is a full-time position and candidates must be eligible for appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure.

Duties of the Chair

• Provides leadership strategy and support for the department

• Assists in the articulation of the departments mission values and interests within the university and beyond

• Supports the advancement of the department in all three dimensions of the land-grant mission: education research/creative inquiry and outreach

• Supervises teaching assignments program assessment and accreditation

• Mentors and supports departmental faculty members through promotion and tenure

• Plans and manages departmental financing budget and workforce in coordination with finance and human resources support

• Maintains and strengthens interdisciplinary connections with other college/university programs as well as with communities professionals and other external stakeholders (alumni donors and community partners)

• Supports college/department/university efforts in recruitment marketing communication and fundraising

• Promotes the visibility and impact of the department and its students and alumni in national and international contexts

• Engages in scholarship and teaching

Proposed Start Date: July 1 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year: 9 Months

Time Type: Full Time

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD or in planning or a very closely related field)

• A record of scholarly activities to qualify for Associate Professor with tenure at Iowa State University

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of scholarly activities to qualify for Full Professor with tenure at Iowa State University

• Documented experience in academic administration at the departmental collegiate or university level

• Demonstrated experience with budgeting personnel management student recruitment and success and supporting faculty professional development

• Evidence of experience with or interest in fundraising and cultivating donors

Department and College Description

The Department of Urban Planning and Development resides within the College of Design at Iowa State one of the largest comprehensive colleges of its kind in the United States. Our department has an outstanding international faculty committed to excellence in teaching planning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We work closely with our students to help them develop the skills and experiences needed to become successful planning professionals. We regularly engage with communities around the state region and nation to understand planning challenges and achievements.

The College brings together nearly 150 faculty members that serve approximately 2100 undergraduate and graduate students in seven fields: architecture studio arts industrial design graphic design interior design landscape architecture and urban planning and development. The collaborative opportunities that emerge from the close interaction of these disciplines are one of the colleges greatest advantages.

We are dedicated to the broad interdisciplinary education of design professionals. We are committed to the expanded role of design as an agent of positive change in society and advocate for sustainable practices. The successful candidate is expected to share and advance these values.

Proposed Start Date:

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Application Instructions:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To receive full consideration applications should be received by February 18 2026.

Candidates should submit the following documents in PDF format:

• A letter of interest describing why you seek the position and how you meet the qualifications

• A curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three references including name mailing address email address and phone number

Contact Information

Inquiries of interest nominations and applications should be submitted electronically in confidence to: Erin Olson-Douglas Associate Dean for Outreach and Extension Chair of Search Committee

Why Choose ISU

Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program

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