Director of Center for Latin American Studies

Director of Center for Latin American Studies, University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh seeks a dynamic scholar to serve as director of its Center for Latin American Studies (https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas) beginning August 2020. Founded in 1964, the Center for Latin American Studies is the oldest center within the University Center for International Studies (UCIS), which now includes six area and thematic studies centers. The mission of CLAS is to promote global understanding through support for teaching, learning, and research in and on Latin America, the Caribbean, and the diverse diasporic communities of Latin American and Caribbean origin in the United States and elsewhere. CLAS provides faculty with the resources and intellectual environment to realize cutting-edge research, and students with unequaled educational experience and a solid path to a successful career. Through its community engagement programs, the center shares its resources regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Candidates must be leading scholars in their field, holding the tenured rank of associate or full professor. The successful applicant will join the appropriate disciplinary home in one of three schools at the University: the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, or the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. For the initial six years of their appointment, the individual will serve as director of the Center and receive a corresponding reduction in teaching and service obligations to their department/school. Unless there is a renewal of that appointment (mutually agreeable to the faculty member, the department chair or dean, and the Director of UCIS), the successful applicant will resume full-time responsibilities in their home department or school thereafter.

Administrative responsibilities include: developing academic programs; supervision of center staff (all centers have dedicated administrative associate directors); overseeing the implementation of all activities of the center; representing the center and UCIS at activities in various communities (locally, domestically, and abroad); development efforts for the center; guiding strategic grant seeking and application; and supporting the efforts of the Vice-Provost for Global Affairs (who also serves as the Director of UCIS). Examples of the last include periodic crafting of responses to critical events related to the region, providing briefings for high-level international visitors and delegations visiting the University, and assisting in developing itineraries for (and possibly accompanying) Chancellor- and/or Provost-level delegation visits to the region. Responsibilities are year-round; it is understood, however, that the scholarship and other responsibilities will require the candidate to travel and be absent from campus on occasion.

Successful candidates must hold a Ph.D. or relevant terminal degree with substantial research and teaching experience in Latin American Studies. We prefer candidates whose work intersects with migration, race, health, and/or gender; these and other research issues align with a new commitment by the Provost to invest in building Latinx studies at the University. Successful candidates must have a proven track record of administrative leadership and experience and of managing colleagues in a productive and collaborative manner. They must also have a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion with highly developed skills in building a collaborative culture that values the strength of differing views and experiences.

The University of Pittsburgh is an urban, state-related institution located in an area with a metropolitan population of approximately 2.3 million. The University is comprised of sixteen schools, four regional campuses outside of Pittsburgh, and four University centers (including UCIS) which serve the entire University community.

Applicants should apply by November 1, 2019, at:
https://facultysearch.as.pitt.edu/apply/index/Mjcw. They will be required to upload the following: a comprehensive C.V.; a letter of interest that outlines their scholarly and administrative interests and skills; a one-to-two-page diversity statement, discussing how past, planned, or potential contributions or experiences relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion will advance the University of Pittsburgh’s commitment to inclusive excellence; and the names of three references.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled