Chair Fellow Opportunties with the Office of Faculty Affairs

The mission of the Office of Faculty Affairs is to support faculty and faculty leadership in the development of an exceptional learning community at the University of Kansas. To that end, we seek out faculty partnerships and expertise in our initiatives of faculty advancement and recognition, faculty relations and policy, and faculty development and growth. 

To support our mission and initiatives, we are seeking applicants for Faculty Affairs Chair Fellows. Please read the details below and apply if you are interested.

Chair Fellows

Chair Fellows will work with the Office of Faculty Affairs on programming and new initiatives, and must be faculty who are currently – or who have previously served – in an academic department chair or director role. Chair Fellows will serve for an initial term that extends through May 31, 2027, with the possibility of an additional one-year term.

The goal of the Chair Fellows initiative is to: 

• Enrich the development of the KU academic department chair/director community through innovative and evidence-based programs 
• Broaden the Office of Faculty Affairs’ impact and collaborations across the KU community 
• Grow and develop academic leadership at KU 
• Support Chair Fellows in their professional growth 

This work may include, but is not limited to, program development grounded in research related to department chair development priority areas, delivery of related programming, and facilitation of program sessions, workshops, and department chair learning circles. 

The Chair Fellows will serve an initial term that begins February 1, 2026, and extends through May 31, 2027. Upon mutual agreement, the term may be extended for one additional year. Chair Fellows’ responsibilities will be based on the Fellows’ background, interests, and experiences as well as the specific faculty development programming needs in the Office of Faculty Affairs.  

Expectations, Compensation, and Time Commitment  

Chair Fellows are expected to actively participate in OFA programs (e.g., department chair development sessions and workshops, department chair learning circles) and provide insight and support across OFA faculty development initiatives. 

The time commitment of each Fellow will vary throughout the year, with some weeks requiring more or less engagement depending on the time of year. Activities may also occur during the summer term. The estimated time commitment for a Chair Fellow should be up to four hours per week. Chair Fellows will meet bi-monthly with OFA staff to ensure progress on program goals.  

Chair Fellows meeting terms of service will receive $3,750 (gross), disbursed in two overload payments as follows: $1,250 at the end of the spring 2026 semester, and $2,500 at the end of the spring 2027 semester. In addition, Chair Fellows will receive a $1,500 travel and/or professional expense budget for each academic year in which they serve, preferably to support advancements in faculty and department chair development. 

Qualifications

• Applicants should currently be in or have previously held the role of an academic department chair or director, and currently hold the rank of associate professor or higher 
• Interest in faculty development and in supporting the OFA mission 
• Success with program/workshop design, development, and delivery 

Application Process

Interested faculty should submit a current vita and a letter (two-page limit) that explains a) your interest in the position; b) your interest and experience with program/workshop design, development, and delivery and other qualifications you bring to the position (which may include initiatives you worked on and/or developed for your department during your term as a chair/director); c) how you can support the Office of Faculty Affairs’ faculty development programs and initiatives; and, d) your interests related to areas of academic department chair/director development.  

Submit application materials to facultyaffairs@ku.edu by the end of the day on Monday, November 24, 2025. Brief interviews will be scheduled for early December. Applicants will be notified of the review committee’s decisions no later than December 20, 2025. The start date will be February 1, 2026. 

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Banwart, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, at mbanwart@ku.edu.