The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Utah State University invites nominations and applications for the position of Department Head. We seek a dynamic and visionary leader with a track record of exemplary research, effective teaching and mentorship, transformative leadership, strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills, a commitment to inclusive excellence, and a desire to increase the national and international reputation of the department. 

This is a fiscal year administrative appointment with a start date of July 1, 2024. Review of applications will begin September 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

Inquiries may be directed to the search committee co-chairs, Dr. Aryn Dotterer (435 797-3287; aryn.dotterer@usu.edu) and/or Dr. Eadric Bressel (435-797-7216; eadric.bressel@usu.edu).

• Leadership – including the development of a shared vision and strategic plan; build and support capacity that will advance research, education, and outreach; offer strong personal example of scholarly excellence and commitment to collective goals.
• Personnel management – including clear expectations of job duties and performance metrics; maximize faculty, staff, and student professional growth and potential.
• Fiscal management – including responsible budget management and development of strategic approaches for budget growth.
• Enrollment management – developing and employing strategies to grow undergraduate and graduate enrollments.
• Inclusive Excellence – commitment to leading and integrating principles of inclusive excellence into the research, teaching, and outreach of the department.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in Human Development and Family Science or a closely related field.
• A record of distinguished research, teaching, and other professional accomplishments that are commensurate with the rank of Professor with tenure in HDFS at Utah State University.
• Evidence of successful leadership in academia.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a department head/chair, associate department head, or undergraduate/graduate program chair.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Record of submitting and obtaining extramural research grants.
• Experience leading the tenure and promotion process.
• Experience with program assessment or accreditation/reaccreditation.
• Experience with advancement/development and alumni relations.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Curriculum vita to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover letter to be uploaded under "Other Documents 1-10"
3. Statement of leadership philosophy and vision for the department to be uploaded under "Other Documents 1-10"
4. Contact information for three professional references to be entered in the Candidate Profile

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

Department Highlights

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (https://cehs.usu.edu/hdfs) is in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (https://cehs.usu.edu). Departmental degrees offered include: BS/BA: Human Development and Family Studies; MS: Human Development and Family Studies; MMFT: Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (non-thesis degree); MHDFS: Master of Human Development and Family Studies (non-thesis degree); PhD in Human Development and Family Studies. A Gerontology Certificate Program also is administered by the department.

The department has 30 faculty members, over 300 undergraduate majors, and over 80 graduate students.  The department is committed to optimizing the lives of individuals, families, and communities through excellence in research, teaching, and extension. Our nationally recognized faculty lead research, instructional, and outreach efforts in the areas of marriage and family relations, human development from infancy to later life, early childhood education, family financial management, and marriage and family therapy. In the last fiscal year, the department generated $9.5M in research, service, and outreach expenditures. Units within the department include the Adele and Dale Young Child Development Laboratory, which provides service for children and families, research, and training pre-professionals; the Dolores Doré Eccles Center for Early Care and Education provides high quality day care services and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children; the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic (MFT) provides therapy services to individuals, couples, and families; and Housing and Financial Counseling (HFC) services, which provides programs for first time homebuyers, reverse mortgages, and debt management. The department is a proud partner of Cooperative Extension at Utah State University. Our faculty provide a variety of evidence-based family life education programs across the state. Signature program areas include stepfamily education, healthy relationships, and parenting.

College Highlights

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov