Program Chair, MPH

Job Description:

About The Chicago School

The Chicago School educates the next generation of change-makers in innovative theory and culturally competent practice to strengthen the integrated health of individuals, organizations, and communities. We enroll over 6,000 students across 40+ academic programs culminating in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree or a professional certificate, and our unique approach to impact-focused education has made us a leading nonprofit university for over 45 years. 

As an employee at The Chicago School, you can become a member of an inclusive community committed to excellence. At The Chicago School, we celebrate individuals of all backgrounds and identities for who they are and what they can contribute. We take pride in hiring and retaining the most dynamic, talented, and passionate professionals who will help us continue to innovate for decades to come.

Position Summary:

The Program Chair of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is directly responsible to the Associate Dean within the college for the program. The Program Chair is a member of the faculty as an Administrative Faculty member and responsible for new student enrollment, faculty recruitment, scheduling and course sequencing, student affairs within the program, and student review process. The Program Chair works closely with Academic Leadership, Student Support, and Admissions.

The Program Chair will teach up to 12 credits per academic year.  The Program Chair leads department meetings, participates in institutional and departmental committees, provides academic leadership, and performs duties as assigned by the Associate Dean and/or College Dean.  As an administrative faculty member, the Program Chair is a member of the Faculty Council. 

Main Key Areas of Responsibility

Program Growth and Development

• Ensure ongoing compliance with Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation and lead program review processes, working with Accreditation and Licensures, Associate Dean, and public health faculty and staff.
• Lead continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, including annual assessment planning, competency evaluation, systematic review of student learning outcomes, and implementation of improvement initiatives informed by assessment data and stakeholder feedback.
• Identify, establish, and foster positive engagement across practice sites for Public Health faculty including initiation and maintenance of practice agreements in support of the Applied Practice Experience or Integrative Learning Experience required by CEPH.
• Develop and execute a plan for community engagement in support of expanding awareness and driving new student enrollment at The Chicago School.
• Establish and facilitate an active Public Health Advisory Board that engages community stakeholders, alumni, employers, and practice partners in continuous program improvement and workforce alignment.
• Recruit, hire, and manage program faculty to support the institution's diverse student body from recruitment to matriculation, in alignment with budget allowances and university needs.
• Collaborate with the admissions team to ensure timely review of admissions files and development of materials to support achievement of new student recruiting goals.
• Develop and implement comprehensive student engagement initiatives that promote academic success, professional identity development, career readiness, alumni engagement, and lifelong connection to the program.

Academic Operations

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the program to ensure quality student experience and faculty performance expectations are maintained.
• Direct course scheduling in a manner that supports the student experience via ensuring adequate class size and assigning faculty who are properly credentialed and trained to deliver assigned course content.
• Represent the department at meetings, student events, and other related events to facilitate collaborative decision making, student engagement, building program and university awareness in the community.
• Lead the development of strategic academic and budget plans for the department, including recommendations from the assessment and department review process to inform student enrollment growth targets and program staffing needs.
• Seek and implement opportunities to integrate emerging instructional technology into curriculum delivery models.

People Management

• Build and manage a faculty team that is welcoming and supportive of diverse voices, new perspectives, and innovation at the institution.
• Mentor, supervise and evaluate the teaching, advisement, and other duties performed by Faculty members to meet program academic goals.

• Develop and apply a structured, data-driven system for mentoring, supervising and evaluating the teaching, advisement, and other duties performed by faculty members to ensure student achievement of program and institutional learning outcomes.
• Ensure department faculty remain active in scholarship and service as evidenced by membership in institutional committee work, professional organizations, publications, presentations, and colloquia.

Academic Quality & Innovation

• Ensure curriculum mapping, competency alignment, and assessment processes remain consistent with CEPH accreditation requirements, workforce expectations, and institutional learning outcomes.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities, including grants, partnerships, and scholarships.
• Monitor satisfactory academic progress supporting student progress through the curriculum and timely degree completion.
• Ensure student concerns are effectively addressed in a timely and responsive manner in support of student satisfaction and retention.

Position Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (DrPH, Ph.D., MD, or equivalent) in public health or closely related field from an accredited institution.
• MPH degree or equivalent graduate training in public health.
• Minimum three years of academic administration experience including working with students at the undergraduate or graduate level is strongly desired.
• Strong scholarly background in research and publications, presenting at conferences, and conducting program assessments.
• Demonstrated understanding of CEPH accreditation standards and processes.  
• Experience with online or distance education delivery.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential
• Direct experience leading or participating in CEPH accreditation processes
• Experience developing or directing graduate public health programs
• Demonstrated success in curriculum development and assessment
• Grant writing and external funding acquisition experience

Compensation & Benefits

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.