Wyoming Excellence Chair in Adolescent Literacy Education

The University of Wyoming seeks
a Wyoming Excellence Chair in
Adolescent Literacy Education

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profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/UW_Chair_Adolescent_LitEd_Profile.pdf

Location: Laramie,
Wyoming

The Position:

The University of Wyoming (UW) invites
applications and nominations for candidates to serve as Wyoming
Excellence Chair in Adolescent Literacy Education. The University
is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, creative, and established
scholar with a background in and commitment to secondary education.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong scholarship record,
extensive professional accomplishments, a history of successful
extramural funding, and solid leadership skills.

The Wyoming Excellence Chair in Adolescent
Literacy Education is a 9-month, full-time, tenured position
reporting to the Dean of the College of Education and working
closely with the Literacy Research Center and Clinic (LRCC) and the
Center's team. This professorship supports the College of
Education's Master of Arts in Education, PhD in Curriculum and
Instruction with a concentration in literacy, as well as graduate
certificates in literacy and dyslexia. The Excellence Chair will
maintain a regular, active campus presence and participate in
school visits, district partnerships, and statewide outreach
necessary to fulfill the position's responsibilities. In addition
to a salary commensurate with the status of a high-profile,
established scholar, this position provides access to discretionary
funds to promote a robust research, teaching, and service agenda in
literacy education.

The Wyoming Excellence Chair in Adolescent
Literacy Education is part of a vibrant, growing faculty that
engages in developing high-quality literacy educators, supports
local school districts in providing individualized and effective
literacy education to grades 6-12 students, collaborates across
disciplines and with the Literacy Research Center and Clinic,
advances best practices in literacy education, and strives for
national prominence in the field. To expand these efforts, this
position requires a committed and advanced scholar, invested in
forging multidisciplinary partnerships, and available to work on
campus and actively engage in outreach with local school districts
throughout Wyoming.

Responsibilities:

Research, Scholarship & State
Impact

• Lead a

nationally recognized and externally funded research agenda that
addresses critical challenges in literacy education, with
particular attention to the needs of Wyoming's rural, remote, and
underserved communities/districts.

• Produce high-impact scholarship and translate it into practical

instructional approaches and resources that strengthen the
preparation and practice of Wyoming educators.

• Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications,

national conferences, and practitioner-focused outlets.

• Establish and sustain research-practice partnerships with school

districts, education agencies, and community stakeholders across
Wyoming.

• Submit annual impact reports in alignment with the Wyoming

Excellence in Higher Education Endowment's statutory requirements,
documenting progress in research, teaching, and service to the
state.

Instruction &
Mentorship

• Unless

otherwise arranged with the Dean of the College of Education, teach
a 2-1 or 1-2 annual course load, with a reduced 1-1 load during the
first year to support the successful launch of a research and
outreach agenda.• Deliver high-quality instruction in literacy
education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in formats
responsive to Wyoming's geographic and workforce needs.

Outreach, Statewide Service, and Policy
Engagement

• Actively

engage in outreach aligned with UW's land-grant mission,
including:

• Developing and sustaining partnerships with Wyoming schools and

districts, including rural and underrepresented communities, to
identify literacy needs and share research and context-specific
professional learning and development, technical assistance, and
instructional support.

• Collaborating with state agencies to inform policy and

practice.

• Serving as a public scholar representing UW in statewide forums,

advisory groups, and educational collaboratives.

• Representing the College of Education's literacy education

program when information, presentations, or engagement is requested
by key external stakeholders.

Leadership & College
Engagement

• Contribute

to academic leadership within the College of Education, supporting
program development and interdisciplinary initiatives.

• Establish annual goals and document progress and outcomes,

including educator participation, improvements in instructional
practice and student learning where appropriate, research outputs,
and external funding secured.

• Collaborate with the other literacy chair, the Literacy Research

Center and Clinic, and relevant College programs to coordinate
initiatives, use resources effectively, and expand statewide
impact.

• Serve as a mentor and resource for faculty and graduate students

in literacy education and related areas.

• Help enhance the visibility and impact of the College's literacy

programs, especially across the state.

Grants, Funding &
Innovation

• Develop and

submit competitive external grant proposals, secure funding, and
manage funded projects that advance literacy research, educator
development, and statewide partnerships. •

Leverage endowed resources to launch innovative programming,
develop technology-enhanced instruction, and build sustainable
statewide partnerships.

Minimum Experience/Credentials/Commitments
Required:

• An earned

PhD in literacy education or a field closely related to literacy
education.

• A strong interest in and commitment to Adolescent Literacy

Education, inclusive practices, and advocacy for literacy
education.

• Earned rank of tenured full professor at an accredited university

with accomplishments sufficient for promotion to the rank of full
professor upon hire at the University of Wyoming.

• Successful experience and interest in teaching across multiple

instructional modalities and a demonstration of excellence in
teaching and faculty and student mentorship.

• Experience with developing course materials and syllabi,

effectively collaborating with faculty, conducting research, and
engaging with professional organizations in the field.

• A demonstrated record of developing competitive external grant

proposals and successfully securing external funding as a principal
investigator or co-principal investigator, and evidence of an
established line of empirical research and publishing in adolescent
literacy education or closely related fields.

• An eagerness to support and develop strong and high-quality

literacy educators in Wyoming.

• A commitment to travel across the state in the capacity of

serving as a literacy education advocate and expert, connecting
with local school districts throughout Wyoming, as well as state
and local government entities.

• Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) that is

compliant with the University Vehicle Use
Policy.

Successful Candidates Will Have the
Following or Comparable Experience/Commitments:

• Experience

working directly with districts to support local initiatives and
unique needs relating to literacy education.

• Demonstrated experience engaging external constituents in

collaborative efforts, professional development, and
advocacy.

• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders (e.g.,

educators, district leaders, state education agency
representatives, government officials, legislators, etc.).

• Experience teaching grades 6-12 students.• Demonstrated knowledge

of evidence-based literacy assessment and interventions for
students with literacy challenges in secondary grades.

• A strong commitment to innovative teaching approaches resulting

in improved student learning.

• Experience in higher education administration, strong leadership

skills, and fiscal acumen.

UW offers a competitive salary and strong
benefits, including a retirement plan with a 14.19% University
contribution (based on gross salary), excellent leave plans
(vacations, sick days, and holidays), a tuition waiver program, a
recreation center discounted membership opportunity, and a variety
of on-campus dining and banking services.

About the Literacy Research Center and
Clinic:

The Literacy Research Center and Clinic (LRCC)
at the University of Wyoming is dedicated to expanding and
transforming literacy education across the state. The establishment
of the LRCC was accomplished through a combination of institutional
prioritization, private funding, and matching funds provided by the
Wyoming Legislature. The work is guided by the LRCC Outreach
Advisory Board, which is composed of Wyoming legislators, former
and current Wyoming education policymakers and agency directors,
and additional Wyoming educational stakeholders.

By collaborating with national and
international leaders in literacy and partnering with the Wyoming
Department of Education, the LRCC integrates policy, research, and
practice to support Wyoming communities. The Center offers a range
of services, including tutoring, professional development for
educators, and research initiatives that enhance literacy
instruction. With a focus on collaboration, the LRCC works closely
with schools to conduct needs assessments and co-design support,
ensuring tailored literacy interventions and sustained growth for
educators and students alike.

As Wyoming's trusted partner in literacy
excellence, LRCC is committed to ensuring that all students who
bring varied experiences and perspectives, at every level of
literacy development, have the support, opportunities, and
motivation to build not only the knowledge and skills but also the
desire to read, write, speak, and listen critically and confidently
for a range of audiences and purposes. Learn more here.

About the College of
Education:

The College of Education
shares in the land grant mission of the University of Wyoming and
maintains an abiding commitment to the ongoing growth and vitality
of educators and counselors across Wyoming. In this context, the
College provides outstanding research-based programs leading to
initial licensure and certification for the teachers, counselors,
and leaders in Wyoming's schools and mental health counselors in
Wyoming's rural communities. As importantly, the College's programs
provide essential support for teachers and counselors across the
arc of their careers.

The College of Education develops and delivers
cutting-edge instruction and professional support across Wyoming's
expansive geography, which presents unique opportunities for
innovation in teaching and learning. The College's work reflects
this by incorporating globally innovative forms of competency-based
learning, mentoring through communities of practice, and college
and career readiness pathways that prepare educators for all
settings and environments.

The College's role in the state presents a
singular opportunity for scholars committed to the large-scale
impact of their scholarship while also providing a significant
responsibility to be knowledgeable, engaged actors through their
work and programs. As part of the only four-year public institution
in the state, members of the College of Education community bear
the substantial weight of connecting research to practice, directly
informing policy and action. No university in the country enjoys
such immediate access to the state-level policy environment.

The College has over 1,100 students studying
across four baccalaureate program areas and eight graduate programs
offering MS, PhD, and EdD degrees, along with a range of
post-graduate certificates in Counseling and Education. More than
61 full-time faculty, 35 professional staff, and 15 graduate
assistants bring these programs to life. The College is home to the
Wellspring Counseling
Clinic, the Science & Mathematics
Teaching Center, the Literacy Research Center and
Clinic, the UW Early Care and Education
Center, the Center for Excellence in Special Education, the
Center for Career and Technical Education & Agricultural
Education, the Trustees Education
Initiative, the Center for Early Learning, and the Wyoming School-University
Partnership. The College has more than 24,000 living
alumni. More than 3,300 alumni currently work in Wyoming's public
schools.

The College of Education is currently led by
the John P. Ellbogen Dean, Jenna Shim. Shim, a
professor in the School of Teacher Education, has served as the
associate dean for academic affairs and graduate studies for more
than three years. She joined the UW faculty in 2009 and has also
served as associate director in the School of Education; program
coordinator for the English as a Second Language (ESL) graduate
program in the School of Teacher Education; and founder of the
annual Wyoming ESL and DLI (dual language immersion)
Conference.

About the University of
Wyoming:

Founded in 1886, the University of Wyoming is
the state's land-grant and flagship institution of higher
education. UW offers 222 areas of study, including 38 certificate
programs, 90 bachelor's programs, 58 master's programs, and 36
doctorate/professional programs to almost 11,000 students from all
50 states and over 90 countries. In addition to campuses in Laramie
and Casper, UW has online programs that reach students throughout
the state, nation, and world. Colleges include the College of
Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Arts and
Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Physical Sciences,
Health Sciences, and Law, as well as its Haub School of Environment
and Natural Resources, School of Energy Resources, the Honors
College, and the School of Computing. Learn more at www.uwyo.edu.

UW is proud to have earned R1 research
classification and Carnegie Community Engaged status and is
supported by substantial public investment and a generous donor
community.

Located in Laramie, Wyoming, the University is
surrounded by high plains and beautiful mountains, and is close to
world-class hiking, camping, skiing, snowmobiling and other outdoor
activities. Outside Magazineidentified
Laramie as “the perfect affordable mountain town,” noting the cost
of living; access to outdoor activities; food, art, and culture;
and the influence of UW, including its academic and other
offerings. Furthermore, Wyoming ranked #5 in the U.S. News and World Report's
“Best States for Higher Education”. In the area of tuition and
fees, Wyoming ranks No. 2 in part because of its low cost for
University of Wyoming students. UW's tuition and fees for resident
undergraduates are the lowest in the nation among doctoral
degree-granting institutions. The University community is working
collaboratively to help the University reinforce and strengthen its
reputation as it adapts to changing economic factors in the state
and beyond. The University's strategic roadmap, “Forward for Wyoming 2023+: A
Strategic Plan for the University of Wyoming,” demonstrates that it is an
exciting time to be a part of UW as the institution embarks on
ambitious and impactful initiatives.

To
Apply:

The University of Wyoming, in consultation
with Summit Search Solutions, Inc., will begin a confidential
review of application materials immediately and continue until the
position is filled; parties who apply by November 20, 2026
will be given first consideration. Please submit a
CV/resume and a letter that describes your interest and related
experience/qualifications upon application. All applications and
nominations will be held in confidence.

To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su537

For more information or to offer
recommendations or nominations:

Caitlin Hummel

Senior Consultant

Summit Search Solutions, Inc.

Direct: (585) 880-7550

chummel@summitsearchsolutions.com

The University of Wyoming is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer (UW Reg
4-1). The University does not discriminate in employment or
personnel practices on the basis of race, gender, religion, color,
national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry,
political belief, pregnancy, or any other protected category or
participation in any protected activity. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act
(ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an
accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-766-2377 or
email jobapps@uwyo.edu. Review the Know Your Rights
poster.

Pursuant to Wyoming State law, W.S.
19-14-102, as amended, an honorably discharged veteran who has been
a resident of the state of Wyoming for one (1) year or more at any
time prior to the date when the veteran applies for employment, or
any surviving spouse who was married to such veteran at the time of
the veteran's death, who is receiving federal survivor benefits
based on the veteran's military service and is applying for
employment, shall receive an interview preference during the
applicant screening process with the University of Wyoming. At the
time of application, the applicant must possess the business
capacity, competency, education or other qualifications required
for the position. If disabilities do not materially interfere with
performance of job duties, disabled veterans will be given
preference over able-bodied veterans. Appropriate documentation of
veteran status must be provided at time of application as outlined
in the application process. No preference will be given to a
veteran currently employed by a public department.

We conduct background investigations for
all final candidates being considered for employment. Offers of
employment are contingent upon the completion of the background
check.

Applicants with disabilities may request
accommodation to complete the application and selection process.
Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior
to the date of need.

To apply, visit: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su537

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