Description

Chair, Associate/Full Professor of Occupational Therapy

Alabama State University, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Chair, Associate/Full Professor of Occupational Therapy. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to guide and advance a graduate program within the College of Health Sciences at one of the nation’s oldest historically Black colleges and universities. The successful candidate will join a mission-driven, student-centered academic environment committed to academic excellence, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and community engagement while helping prepare compassionate health care professionals equipped to serve diverse and underserved populations. With small program sizes, strong opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and a deep emphasis on student success, the position offers the opportunity to shape the future of graduate health professions education while making a meaningful impact through leadership, teaching, scholarship, program development, and clinical partnership engagement.

Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, the Chair serves as the chief administrator of the department and provides academic and administrative leadership for the program, faculty, staff, and students. The successful applicant will direct, plan, and coordinate departmental activities; support faculty excellence in teaching, research, professional development, and service; assist in strengthening relationships with clinical partners; and lead initiatives related to recruitment and program growth. This full-time, 12-month position includes a one-course teaching reduction per academic semester and offers the opportunity to contribute to a collaborative and mission-driven institution with a rich history, vibrant campus culture, and growing presence in health sciences education.

Responsibilities:

• Promote the development of the program.
• Create and implement the program’s mission, vision, philosophy, and strategic plan in alignment with the college and university missions, visions, and strategic plans.
• Recruit and retain faculty who meet ACOTE standards.
• Annual evaluation of the faculty in collaboration with Program Director.
• Serve as the chair of the screening/hiring committee for new faculty.
• Set goals and establish program policies in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students.
• Manage the program’s budget in collaboration with the Dean of the College of Health Sciences.
• Assign teaching loads and develop course schedules in collaboration with the Program Director.
• Assign program committees and committee chairs.
• Facilitate the new student application process.
• Assign students to respective faculty advisors.
• Assist faculty and students with issues as appropriate.
• Engage in teaching, research, and/or other scholarly activities.
• Provide service to the institution, profession, and community.
• Participate in professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned post-professional doctoral degree (EdD, PhD, ScD, OTD, etc.) awarded by an accredited institution
• Eight years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy, which must include:
• Clinical practice experience as an OT
• Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
• Scholarship (e.g. scholarship of application, scholarship of teaching and learning)
• Understanding the role of the OTA.
• Four years of experience as a faculty member with teaching responsibilities at the post baccalaureate level. 
• Possesses requirements for appointment of an associate or full professor
• Certified as an occupational therapist who is licensed (or eligible for licensure) in Alabama
• Possesses content expertise and current level of knowledge in assigned teaching areas and demonstrate scholarly achievement and research expertise
• Knowledge of curriculum design, application of principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice concepts, and the content delivery method

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated a record of previous administrative experience as Chair, and/or Program Director
• Experience with ACOTE accreditation, program/curriculum design, resource allocation, and personnel management
• Active membership of the American Occupational Therapy Association
• Strong record of scholarly research activities

About Alabama State University:

Alabama State University, founded in 1867, is one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher education established for Black Americans. Originally founded as the Lincoln Normal School through the efforts of nine formerly enslaved men now known as the Marion Nine, ASU has built a 150+ year legacy defined by perseverance, progress, and promise. Today, the University is a widely respected institution of higher learning that welcomes students of all backgrounds and offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including several high-demand and clinically focused programs. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, ASU fosters a supportive and engaging academic environment where faculty mentorship, personal attention, and student success are central to the institution’s mission.

Located in Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement, ASU offers a vibrant campus community rich in culture, history, and opportunity. Students from more than 41 states and 21 countries contribute to a diverse and dynamic learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom. Faculty and students alike benefit from a campus culture that values collaboration, leadership, service, and community engagement, supported by more than 50 student organizations and 18 intercollegiate athletic programs. ASU’s distinguished alumni include influential leaders across education, health care, the arts, athletics, and public service, reflecting the University’s longstanding commitment to preparing graduates who make meaningful contributions in their professions and communities.

About the College of Health Sciences:

The College of Health Sciences at Alabama State University is committed to preparing compassionate, skilled, and forward-thinking health care professionals through a student-centered and interdisciplinary educational environment. Comprised of departments including Health Information Management, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Rehabilitation Studies, and Maternal and Child Health, the College emphasizes academic excellence, critical and clinical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to improving health care delivery for diverse and underserved populations. Faculty and students alike benefit from a collaborative atmosphere grounded in evidence-based practice, community engagement, and a shared mission of advancing wellness and social justice.

With small program sizes and a strong emphasis on mentorship, the College of Health Sciences fosters meaningful collaboration between students and faculty in both classroom and clinical settings. Students gain extensive hands-on experience through clinical internships, fieldwork opportunities, practicums, research projects, and community service initiatives that prepare them for impactful careers in rapidly growing health professions. As health care continues to evolve in response to technological advancements, public health challenges, and the needs of an aging population, the College offers an exciting academic environment where faculty can contribute to innovative teaching, scholarship, and professional preparation while supporting a richly diverse student body and learning community.

About the Community:

Montgomery, Alabama, offers the perfect blend of a charming southern town and a vibrant New South city, combining world-changing history with a growing economy, affordable living, and an active cultural scene. Known as the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement, Montgomery allows residents and visitors alike to stand in the footsteps of leaders like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while also enjoying bustling food and nightlife, world-class arts and culture, and more than twenty historical sites. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the city’s scenic riverfront, trails, and year-round community events ranging from Riverwalk Wine Festivals to outdoor movie screenings and family-friendly attractions at the Montgomery Zoo. With more than 200 sunny days each year, recognition as Alabama’s safest city, and a reputation as one of the nation’s best cities for first-time homebuyers, Montgomery continues to attract growth across education, government, health care, manufacturing, and technology sectors while maintaining a welcoming and community-oriented atmosphere.

Montgomery’s central location also provides convenient access to destinations such as Mobile and Pensacola, both within driving distance and offering beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, waterfront dining, and additional cultural and recreational opportunities.

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the position of Chair, Associate/Full Professor of Occupational Therapy at Alabama State University should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:

Danan Tsan, Vice President

Scott Healy & Associates

[email protected]

A complete application should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Contact information for three (3) professional references with title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)

Applications received by August 3, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

EEOC STATEMENT: It is the policy of Alabama State University to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.