Department Head Allied Health Sciences

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Allied Health Sciences, within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut in Storrs invites applicants at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor to apply for Department Head. We seek a highly organized, dynamic, and visionary individual to provide strong leadership for a large, diverse, and productive department in alignment with the strategic plans for the Department, College, and University. The Department Head serves as an advocate and leader for the Department of Allied Health Sciences at UConn and with its external constituents. Active participation in teaching, research, and/or extension programs is expected. This position reports to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and is based primarily on UConn’s Storrs Campus.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. The university is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes seven campuses across the state: Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Storrs, and Waterbury, the Law School in Hartford, and UConn Health in Farmington. UConn has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including more than 24,000 undergraduates and nearly 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn Extension reaches over 175,000 residents through over 500 programs, connecting with communities in all 169 of Connecticut’s cities and towns. UConn faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research, teaching, creative work, and extension programs, advancing discovery across disciplines and generating high societal impact. UConn’s dedicated staff provide the expertise and support that sustain the university’s mission and advance institutional achievement. 

The University of Connecticut is dedicated to excellence demonstrated through national and international recognition. Through freedom of academic inquiry and expression, UConn creates and disseminates knowledge by means of scholarly and creative achievements, graduate and professional education, and community engagement. With a focus on teaching and learning, the University helps every student grow intellectually and become a contributing member of the state, national, and world communities. Through research, teaching, extension, and service, UConn promotes the health and well-being of Connecticut’s citizens through enhancing the social, economic, cultural and natural environments of the state and beyond. 

In 2024, the University adopted its strategic plan, Envisioning 2034, with three major goals: promoting holistic student success, expanding research impact, and powering a thriving Connecticut.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) is located on UConn’s Storrs campus with teaching, research, and extension activities reaching across the state. CAHNR faculty, staff, and students explore the interrelationships among food, natural resources, and human, plant and animal health, seeking to connect them in a manner that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable. 

The college evolved from the original Storrs Agricultural School, established in 1881. As Connecticut’s land-grant university, UConn has federal and state mandates to carry out the tripartite mission of teaching, research, and extension. The College consists of eight academic departments offering 17 undergraduate majors and 23 undergraduate minors, along with several PhD, MS, and graduate certificate programs, and a ninth department offering community-based extension programs.  It is also the home to innovative interdisciplinary research and clinical centers. The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture is also contained within CAHNR, offering applied associates degrees in the agricultural sciences.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT 

The Department of Allied Health Sciences (AHS) is one of eight academic units within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut. It is a large, vibrant, multidisciplinary department dedicated to advancing knowledge through research, teaching, advising, and community engagement. With more than 30 faculty, over 900 undergraduates, 15 post-baccalaureate students, and 40 graduate students, AHS actively engages in educating and training the next generation of health professionals. 

The department offers an undergraduate major in Allied Health Sciences with multiple concentrations; three nationally accredited professional programs; three post-baccalaureate programs, two master’s programs; and a PhD program in Health Promotion Sciences. Departmental faculty conduct grant-funded research in obesity, HIV/AIDS, digital health, nutrition, food policy, health disparities, cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention, women’s health, big data and research methodologies, and public/community-engaged health. 

Allied Health Sciences is based on UConn’s main Storrs campus and regional Waterbury campus, and is well situated between New York, Boston, Providence, and Hartford. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As the departmental administrative officer, duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support and promote the excellence of our multi-faceted teaching, advising, research, extension, and service activities.
• Manage administrative responsibilities for academic, personnel, and fiscal affairs and provide oversight of physical facilities. 
• Optimize and supervise an effective administrative support staff and structure for the department.
• Engage in research, teaching, and/or extension, with flexibility in effort allocation.
• Represent and promote the Department within the College, main and regional University campuses, and state, as well as at the national and international levels.
• Acquire and maintain current knowledge of all relevant departmental, campus, College, and union policies and procedures, and develop appropriate policies as required in partnership with voting members of the faculty.
• Actively engage in development functions, including donor relations and alumni affairs, on behalf of the Department in collaboration with the College’s Director of Development.
• Through at least annual meetings, mentor and support the unionized faculty, staff, and graduate students in academic and professional endeavors. 
• Foster collaboration and collegiality among faculty across the Department’s Storrs and Regional campuses, the College and Extension, and with other departments at Storrs, Regional, and UConn Health to advance individual, departmental, college, and university goals.
• Meet with all departmental area leaders (e.g., advising center, undergraduate AH major, graduate program, professional programs, regional campus) on a regular basis, and have in person visits with faculty at their sites at least annually. 
• Support the growth and development of the AHS major at the Waterbury regional campus through regular interactions with regional campus faculty, as well as the college Dean and regional campus Dean.
• Establish and coordinate relationships with relevant research centers and institutes, public health organizations, healthcare industries, accrediting agencies, alumni and the citizens of the State of Connecticut.
• Inspire, initiate, and support entrepreneurial missions.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent in a health promotion/public health or related discipline.
2. Rank of Associate Professor or equivalent in health promotion/public health or related discipline.
3. Interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to sustaining a mutually respectful environment and delivering quality academic programs within an inclusive work environment.
4. Evidence of a nationally and internationally recognized program of scholarship in research, teaching, or extension.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Prior administrative experience suited to leadership of an academic department engaged in teaching, advising, research, extension, and service activities at a major Land Grant University.
2. Demonstrated leadership in developing Departmental programs, coordinating capital improvements, or stimulating external funding from both public and private sources.
3. Demonstrated engagement and rapport with stakeholders, industry, and/or donors.
4. Demonstrated ability to encourage consensus while coming to and executing decisions in a collegial atmosphere.
5. Experience recruiting highly qualified and diverse graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff, including those who are traditionally underrepresented in Allied Health Sciences and related fields.
6. Prior experience with accreditation standards and ability to work with faculty who oversee the clinical and professional programs within the Department.
7. Proven experience in developing shared revenue and entrepreneurship programs, as well as managing and allocating budgets and financial resources within higher education.
8. Rank of Full Professor or equivalent in health promotion/public health or related discipline.

APPOINTMENT TERMS 

Salary is competitive, commensurate with applicant’s record. This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month position with a 10th month of service in this administrative capacity. The anticipated start date is August 23, 2026, or sooner where possible.

The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment.  For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/.

TO APPLY 

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499473 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter that addresses how your experience meets the minimum and preferred qualifications (maximum of two pages).
• Curriculum Vitae (must include a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension, and/or service).
• Leadership Statement summarizing how you will provide innovative leadership for CAHNR’s Department of Allied Health Sciences and how you will contribute to the department’s success (maximum of two pages).
• Names and contact information for at least three professional references. References will only be contacted for applicants who are identified as finalists.   

Review of applications will start April 9, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. 

Send inquiries about this position to the search committee chair, Tamara Kaliszewski.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations.  

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.