Title Information

Faculty Title

Job Class Code

FLSA

Position Information

Posting NumberFRGV1732

Working TitleAssociate or Full Professor (preferred) with an Administrative Assignment as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs-School of Social Work

Number of Vacancies1

LocationRio Grande Valley

Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position

Tenure StatusTenured

FTE1.0

Scope of Job

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work is seeking applications and nominations for anAssociate Dean for Academic Affairsat the rank ofAssociate or Full (preferred) Professorbeginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

This leadership position will be especially attractive to an academic leader who wishes to join a high-performing administrative team in a new Research 2 University well on its way to Research 1 status, with a focus on high-quality educational programs. Our School of Social Work has the research infrastructure, innovative curriculum, dedicated educators, and community engagement trajectory to make us leaders in 21st century social work education and an exciting place to be.

The successful applicantwill serve as our Associate Dean for Academic Affairsand teach in our BSW , MSSW , and dual-degree programs; contribute to the development of our doctoral program and teach doctoral courses; and work with our Office for International Social Work and our Human Mobility Institute.We are seeking well-rounded, senior academics who want to make an impact in all areas: teaching, research and scholarship, service, administration, and community engagement.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in collaboration with the Dean and faculty, will provide strategic leadership to promote and maintain the academic excellence of our educational programs. Responsibilities include: assisting in the design, development, and continuous improvement of a cutting-edge, rigorous curriculum; developing and updating administrative policies and procedures; coordinating efforts to develop new programs; assisting with program assessment and reaccreditation activities; ensuring adherence to accreditation standards; providing supervision to our four Program Directors ( BSW , MSSW , BSW Field, and MSSW Field) as well as the Coordinator of our Title IV E (Child Welfare) Program; working with the Program Directors and the Dean to manage faculty workloads and course schedules; hire, orient and mentor part-time faculty; and assist with faculty search activities.

Our faculty members are expected to actively engage in research and scholarship and to seek external funding to support their research. Faculty in the School of Social Work engage in broad collaborations with health, mental health, counseling, rehabilitation, and nursing colleagues, as well as those in sciences, technology, engineering, and arts units across the university. These collaborations have been fruitful and have resulted in ongoing educational initiatives, grant-funded research, educational initiatives, and community-engagement projects. As such, the successful candidate will have a track record of inter-professional collaborations.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is a distributed university with campuses and teaching sites from Brownsville to Laredo. This is anin-person positionand faculty may be assigned to teach in other locations either in person or using remote technologies. The School of Social Work has students in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo, and is exploring offering classes in Rio Grande City.

UTRGV is aHispanic-Serving Institutionlocated on the U.S.-Mexico border, dedicated to student success and to building a diverse faculty committed to working in a multicultural environment. We are designated by the Carnegie Foundation as R2, “high research activity.” OurOffice for Bilingual Integrationin the Division of the Provost collaborates with units across UTRGV to achieve the university’s goal of being the firstbilingual, bicultural, and biliterateUniversity in the United States. UTRGV faculty will be expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to scholarly work, student success, advancing the university, school, and program missions, and to be committed to UTRGV’s strategic plan, vision, mission, values and core priorities (https://www.utrgv.edu/strategic-plan/introduction/index.htm).

About UTRGV :

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.

Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website (https://www.utrgv.edu/index.htm) .

About the School of Social Work

TheSchool of Social Workwas established in 2018 as an independent School and is under the leadership of Founding Dean Dr. Luis R. Torres. Previously, thedepartmentof social work existed since the 1970s, most recently as part of the College of Health Professions. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) School of Social Work ( SSW ) is the only institution to offer programs leading to both the Bachelor of Social Work ( BSW ) degree and the Master of Science in Social Work ( MSSW ) degree south of San Antonio. Both programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education ( CSWE ).

The BSW Program prepares students for generalist social work practice. Building on the generalist foundation, the MSSW program focuses on two concentrations: Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups; and Community Practice and Administration. The MSSW Program goals are to prepare graduates to practice with diverse, vulnerable, and at-risk populations to promote human well-being and social and economic justice, especially in the Texas-Mexico border region; to prepare graduates for leadership in developing and implementing policies and services for at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region; and to develop the knowledge base of the social work profession, particularly as it relates to addressing the needs of at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region. The BSW program is in-person, and alternative modalities are being explored. We offer all MSSW programs in two modalities, traditional on-campus, and online. A PhD in Social Work is under development, as are a dual MSSW - MPH program. Other dual degree programs and MSSW modalities have been approved by faculty and will be developed over the next few years.

The School of Social Work is committed to preparing generalist and advanced professional social workers to meet the needs of a binational and multicultural community, and to increasingly make an impact on the national stage. The Rio Grande Valley is a natural laboratory for the demographic shifts being seen around the country. The educational emphasis is on social work practice with Hispanic/Latino/Latinx individuals and communities, and with other diverse communities, considering multicultural competence, ethical practice, knowledge building, and social services that promote social and economic justice.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate must have a doctorate in social work or a related discipline and a master’s in social work from a CSWE -accredited program.Seniorfaculty at UTRGV are hired with tenure, so a record of research, scholarship, teaching, and service that is commensurate with the rank sought (Associate or Full Professor) is required. The successful candidate will have a track record of successful administrative experience, excellent leadership skills, and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

Master in Social Work and a Doctorate in Social Work.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants’ own research should be at the intersection of social work, public health, and population health, and blend micro and macro issues. Expertise in some of the areas salient in the School of Social Work’s growing research portfolio is welcome, including health and behavioral health issues in populations similar to those of the Rio Grande Valley (i.e., 94% Hispanic, primarily Mexican-American; bilingual and bicultural; borderland communities); gerontological social work; sustainability; human mobility; U.S.-Mexico border issues; and global issues. Faculty members are encouraged to engage in basic, applied, and/or translational research that addresses critical community and state needs. However, candidates in all areas are encouraged to apply. Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

License or Certification Required?No

SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience. The appointment is contingent upon the enrollment and scheduling needs of the School of Social Work.

Desired Start Date09/01/2025

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the civil rights act of 1964, the title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date10/17/2024

Close Date

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Please Note

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.All positions are subject to budget approval.

Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/44687

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae

• List of 3 References

• Letter of Interest

• Unofficial Transcripts

• Teaching Statement

• Research Statement

• Representative Research Publication/Grant Documents

Optional Documents

• Certifications and Licenses

• Reference Letter 1

• Reference Letter 2

• Reference Letter 3

• Multi Media

• Other Document