JOB: Head, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Head, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism

College of Applied Health Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites

nominations and applications for the position of Head of the Department of Recreation, Sport and

Tourism. The position will be filled by a reputable scholar who will serve as the department's

advocate to fulfill and advance the missions of the department, college, and university, and is

responsible for fostering faculty excellence in research, teaching, service, and the pursuit of

grants or contracts.

The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, recognized for its interdisciplinary approach

and leadership in recreation, sport, and tourism scholarship and education, offers bachelors,

masters and doctoral degrees. The department is strongly committed to the professions related to

recreation, sport and tourism, and to scholarship and research that advances practice. Currently 13

full-time faculty serve approximately 330 undergraduates, 35 masters students, 30 PhD students,

and more than 90 students in an online masters’ degree program. The current operating budget for

the unit exceeds $1,800,000.

The Department is one of three academic units of a vibrant college that includes the Departments

of Kinesiology and Community Health, Speech and Hearing Science, and also includes the

Center on Health, Aging, and Disability, and the Division of Disability Resources and

Educational Services. The Department houses several active research labs including the Diversity

Research Lab; Leisure, Health and Wellness Lab; Park Planning and Policy Lab; Tourism and

Sport Lab; and the outreach-based Office of Recreation and Park Resources (ORPR).

The Department is on the flagship campus of the University of Illinois with an enrollment of

42,000 students. The University Library has one of the largest collections of any university in the

country with over 12 million volumes. Research expenditures for the University have been more

than one-half billion dollars over the past few years. Consistently in the top tier of various

national and international rankings of universities, the University recently ranked in the top-

fifteen public universities in the nation.

Qualifications: A doctoral degree in recreation, sport and/or tourism or related field is required.

The successful candidate must have a distinguished record of scholarly and professional

achievement that will qualify them to be appointed with tenure at the Full Professor rank. The

candidate shall be committed to interdisciplinary aspects of recreation, sport and tourism. The

candidate must be effective in articulating and promoting the department to student, professional,

college, general public, and other campus constituents. Experience in academic administration

and budgeting is preferred.

Responsibilities: The Head reports to the Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences and is

responsible for administration of academic programs (including curriculum), governance, faculty

recruitment, planning, and financial affairs in collaboration with departmental faculty subject to

College and University policies. The Head of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism

will be a full-time, nine month position with a summer stipend and is expected to offer courses

and maintain an active research program at approximately 25% of the usual faculty load.

Participation in development and fund-raising efforts is also expected.

Salary: The salary is competitive and based on qualifications; the start date is negotiable.

Closing date: For full consideration an application must be received by January 9,

2012. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Application procedure: Please create your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and

upload a letter of intent, complete curriculum vitae, a statement of leadership philosophy and

vision as it relates to faculty research, teaching, and governance, and the names, telephone

numbers, and addresses of three references by the closing date. All requested information must

be submitted for your application to be considered. For more information about the position,

applicants may contact:

William Stewart, Ph.D., Chair

RST Head Search Committee

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

College of Applied Health Sciences

110 Huff Hall

1206 S. Fourth St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Email: wstewart@illinois.edu

Phone: (217) 244-4532

Further information about the College and Department may be found at

http://www.ahs.illinois.edu/ and http://rst.illinois.edu/

The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The

administration, faculty, and staff embrace diversity and are committed to attract qualified

candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.