Director
School of Library & Information Science
University of South Carolina-Columbia

 

 

 

The University of South Carolina, Columbia, invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the School of Library & Information Science. The School is part of the College of Information and Communications, which also includes the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and the Director holds the position of Associate Dean of this College. The Director reports directly to the Dean of the College.

The Director of the School of Library and Information Science is responsible for providing leadership and helping focus the teaching, research, and service missions of the School, for representing the School to a wide range of campus and professional constituencies, and for administering the School’s activities and budget. The qualifications of the candidate should include a record of academic achievement commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor as well as proven administrative experience. The Director should have the ability to articulate and effectively advocate the School's mission to the students, faculty, alumni, external funding agencies, and other decision-making bodies. The successful candidate will be expected to play a major leadership role in developing strong academic and research programs that enhance the School’s quality and reputation. The candidate will demonstrate:

• High standards of professional integrity and a strong sense of professional ethics;
• A clear commitment to academic excellence;
• The capacity to articulate and build consensus around a strategic vision, and the ability to implement policies and initiatives to achieve that vision;
• A commitment to the recruitment and retention of a diverse group of faculty and students and to diversity in all aspects of the university;
• The ability to create productive partnerships across disciplinary and organizational boundaries;
• Dynamic leadership abilities with an understanding of, and appreciation for, faculty mentoring.

The School of Library and Information Science, fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), and approved by the CAEP, offers the Master of Library and Information Science degree and two programs of advanced study beyond the Master's degree: the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Library and Information Science and the Specialist in Library and Information Science. We also have a growing undergraduate program, the Bachelor of Science in Information Science, and a vital PhD program. The School has a strong commitment to distributed learning throughout the state of South Carolina and beyond. It is located on the campus’ historic Horseshoe, has a faculty of 18 and a staff of 12. It has nationally recognized programs in school library media, youth services, and cultural heritage informatics. Since its inception, the School has emphasized the use of information technology as a vital component of library and information services. With over 3,000 alumni, it has both an active alumni association and an active National Advisory Committee.

 

The University of South Carolina, founded in 1801, is the flagship campus of an eight-campus, fully accredited, state-system. The University of South Carolina-Columbia has strong undergraduate and graduate programs and other highly regarded professional schools including: medicine, law, education, engineering, social work, pharmacy, public health, arts and sciences, nursing, and business administration. About 32,000 students are enrolled with more than 8,000 students in graduate and professional programs. The City of Columbia is the state capital with a metropolitan area population of nearly 700,000. It is a state center of financial, transportation, and industrial development, and it has a rich historical and cultural tradition. It is located within easy driving distance of both mountains and coast.

 

Information about the School of Library and Information Science, the College of Information and Communications, and the University of South Carolina is available on the School’s website: http://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/cic/library_and_information_science/

 

Applications and Nominations: the search committee will begin reviewing applications on October 15, 2015 and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should send a letter of application, curriculum vitae and the names of at least three references either by regular mail or as PDFs in an email to:
SLIS Director Search Committee c/o Angela Wright ([email protected])
113 Davis College, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.

 

The chair of the Director Search Committee is Dr. Michael Matthews. Applicants may contact Dr. Matthews at: [email protected] or (803) 777-0556.

The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, and veterans are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.