Head and Professor - Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling

Job Description

Overview

About Auburn: At Auburn, our work changes lives. Ranked by
U.S. News and World Report as a premier public institution, Auburn
University is dedicated to shaping the future of the people of
Alabama, the nation, and the world through forward-thinking
education, life-enhancing research, scholarship, and selfless
service. Auburn is nationally recognized for its commitment to
academic excellence, community outreach, a positive work
environment, student engagement, and a thriving community.

Chartered in 1856, Auburn University holds a Carnegie
classification of Research 1: Very High Research Spending and
Doctorate Production. The university also holds the Elective
Classification for Community Engagement. Academic programs at
Auburn enroll approximately 28,000 undergraduate students and 6,200
graduate and professional students. Detailed information about the
university can be found by visiting https://auburn.edu/ .

Why employees choose Auburn: Auburn University was named by
Forbes Magazine as one of the state of Alabama’s best employers,
with employees staying an average of ten years. Employees enjoy
competitive benefits that include top-notch health insurance,
generous retirement plans, tuition assistance for employees and
dependents, flexible spending accounts, and more.

POSITION: Head and Professor. This is a 12-month
tenure-track position in the Department of Special Education,
Rehabilitation, and Counseling beginning Fall 2027. This faculty
member will be hired to serve as the unit leader for the
department, which works to improve education and health through
research, outreach, and teaching. The department offers a B.S.
degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, and in Special
Education; Minors in Counseling, and in Special Education for
Health and Related Service Professions; MEd’s in Clinical Mental
Health Counseling , Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling,
Collaborative Teacher Special Educatio n K-12, Early
Childhood/Elementary Special Education P-6, and in School
Counseling; and a PhD in Counseling Psychology, Counselor
Education, and Special Education. Also offered are certificate
programs in three areas - Transition Specialist, Vocational
Evaluation Forensic, and in our Educational to Accomplish Growth in
Life Experiences (EAGLES) program, which has a substantial
footprint across campus and in the community. Additionally, the
Auburn University Regional Autism Network (RAN) is a statewide
initiative.

The department includes 28 full-time faculty members and 12
full-time staff members. As of Fall 2026, undergraduate enrollment
was 242 and graduate enrollment was 171. Research interests of
faculty members include various aspects of special education,
rehabilitation and disability studies, counseling psychology, and
counselor education. The department is housed in the College of
Education, which includes three other academic units and boasts an
undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,650 and a graduate
enrollment of approximately 850 (as of Fall 2025).

The university’s commitment to excellence is outlined in the Auburn
University Strategic Plan 2035: Grounded & Groundbreaking (
https://ocm.auburn.edu/strategic_plan/
) and the College of Education Strategic Plan 2035 ( College
of Education Strategic Plan 2035 | College of Education ).
Review of applications will begin December 4, 2026 and continue
until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide visionary and collaborative leadership for all aspects

of the department, including but not limited to:

• Leading effective and efficient academic and administrative

operations

• Recruiting, developing, and evaluating faculty
• Overseeing and facilitating curricular development, review, and

revision

• Fostering excellence in teaching, research, and outreach
• Representing the department’s interests, achievements, and

contributions to internal and external stakeholders

• Cultivating a positive and collaborative work environment
• Advancing strategic revenue-generation initiatives
• Contribute effectively to college-level leadership groups and

functions

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Please submit the following:

• A letter of application for the position that speaks to the

required and desired qualifications listed above

• Curriculum vita
• Unofficial graduate transcripts (official transcripts required

upon hiring)

• Contact information for 3-5 professional references, preferably

from a direct report, a supervisor, and a colleague at a similar
level

Questions regarding the position may be addressed to Dr. Matt
Miller, Director, School of Kinesiology, and chair of the search
advisory committee, at mwm0024@auburn.edu .

Note : Candidates for this position must meet eligibility
requirements to work in the United States at the time of
appointment.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned doctorate in one of the department’s program areas or a

closely related discipline at the time of employment

• Record of achieving tenure and promotion to full professor at a

college or university comparable to Auburn University

• Academic credentials sufficient to meet Auburn University

requirements for tenure eligibility

• Distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and service
• Understanding of unique needs, opportunities, and synergies

associated with a unit that houses both clinically focused
professional programs and traditional academic programs

• Academic leadership experience at the department, school, or

comparable unit level

• Demonstrated success as a collaborative leader across varied

academic programs, supported by strong communication and
interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to support faculty success in securing and

managing extramural funding

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Record of successful faculty and administrative leadership

experience at a Carnegie R1 university

• Familiarity with the mission, culture, and opportunities

associated with a land-grant university

• Understanding of the role and responsibilities of a flagship

public research university

• Experience with evaluating faculty and staff, overseeing budget

and personnel, and managing facilities

• Demonstrated success leading or supporting complex academic,

clinical, outreach, or service-oriented programs, centers,
networks, or initiatives involving a variety of stakeholders and
partnerships

• Experience with accreditation, assessment, program review, and

collaborative leadership across multidisciplinary programs, units,
and community-engaged enterprises

• Record of leadership on major externally funded research

grants, particularly those involving interdisciplinary
collaboration

• Record of developing and implementing faculty professional

development initiatives related to teaching, research, and
scholarly productivity

• Record of supporting and advancing staff professional

development

• Record of strategic leadership in revenue generation and

resource development

• Record of fostering a positive and collaborative work

environment while representing the interests of programs and
personnel and promoting understanding of broader institutional
priorities within a complex university environment

Contract Type

Continuing

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through

research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our
students, our communities, and the world.

• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging

our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top
employer in higher education.

• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits,

educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life
balance.

• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers

southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and
easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico
beaches.

• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering

an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed,
valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply
today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education
opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected
veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification
protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal
Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.