Arizona State University invites applications for a Director of the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL). The successful candidate will also be named the Lincoln Professor in Leadership and American Civic Ideals. In this role, you will lead a multidisciplinary community of scholars and students who pursue collaborative and innovative approaches for teaching and scholarship, grounded in a classical liberal arts education resonating with the principles of America’s founders. This is an opportunity for an accomplished and creative leader with the experience to develop and implement a strategic vision for a growing academic unit at an AAU University. ASU’s charter and goals prioritize student success, public engagement, and use-inspired as well as scholarly research.

Reporting to the Dean of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Director will foster growth and innovation in the School’s research and teaching missions, working to attract, develop, and retain exceptional faculty members. Key goals also include promoting excellence in the school’s undergraduate and graduate programs; developing interdisciplinary research and teaching initiatives; advancing entrepreneurial opportunities; enhancing relations with partners and public within and beyond the university community; and contributing to a university-wide culture that fosters intellectual inclusive excellence. These goals reflect the design aspirations of the “New American University” that infuse decision-making across ASU’s in-person and online operations, currently serving over 170,000 students.

SCETL is an academic unit reporting to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and sits administratively in The College’s division of Social Sciences. It has an annual operating budget of $5.8 million. The School has 13 tenured/tenure-track faculty, two professors of practice, three teaching and clinical professors, as well as 16 staff members. The School offers bachelor’s degrees in Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, a master’s degree in Liberal Education and Leadership and a certificate in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. These degree programs are anchored within four fundamental tracks in the School: moral and political thought; American political thought; economic thought and political economy; and leadership and statesmanship for the 21st Century. More information on the degree programs is available at: https://scetl.asu.edu/degree-programs. Current enrollments include 11 MA students, approximately 65 undergraduate majors and 1000 students enrolled in SCETL’s courses for Fall 2023. 

The Social Sciences at ASU are ranked third nationally in recent National Science Foundation HERD rankings. The School hosts two vibrant centers, the Center for the Study of Economic Liberty and the Center for Political Thought and Leadership; the latter focuses on civic outreach to the broader Arizona and American communities. The School also hosts one of the most robust public lecture series in the country. The College and University value our cultural and intellectual diversity among students, faculty and staff, and continually strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.

The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024, with the possibility of a start date as early as January 1, 2024. Salary and start-up funding will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications. Consideration of applications will begin on September 23, 2023, and will be evaluated every two weeks thereafter until the position is filled. Applicants should submit electronically the following materials: 1) a cover letter addressing the qualifications listed above; 2) a current curriculum vitae; and 3) contact information (email and phone) for four references to http://apply.interfolio.com/129795.

Inquiries and nominations should be directed to Search Committee Chair Patrick Kenney at pkenney@asu.edu.

The search committee proposes to conduct preliminary interviews remotely with long-listed candidates after September 23, 2023. All applications will be treated confidentially until shortlisted candidates are invited to campus visits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in political science, history, economics, philosophy, or a closely related field, with some focus on the Western tradition of liberal arts education, political thought, or intellectual history, or that addresses American political thought and constitutional democracy
• Distinguished scholarly record appropriate to an appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure
• Demonstrated excellence in administrative leadership
• Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the ASU Charter.

Desired Qualifications

• Exceptional communication and organizational skills
• Ongoing, nationally recognized research agenda supported by a record of successful publications in academic and popular outlets
• Demonstrated experience in building and promoting excellence in academic programs, from strategic visioning to program assessment and budgeting
• Demonstrated experience as a director or leader of an academic center, program, or institute beyond departmental leadership roles
• Supervising and collaborating with faculty leaders and senior support staff working successfully with university administration and leaders
• Experience in obtaining external funding and/or building relationships with potential donors, alumni, and the broader community
• Commitment to engaging faculty across a range of disciplines
• Effective in articulating a commitment to the integrated mission and programs of the School
• Experience serving as a public spokesperson for an academic program or unit with the media and community leaders

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