Director of the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling

Posting Number: FRGV2078

Location: Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Division/Organization: Division of Health Affairs Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position:

Tenure Status: Non Tenure Track

FTE: 1.0 Scope of Job: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invitesnominations and applications for the position of Directorof the School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling .Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of HealthProfessions, within the Division of Health Affairs, the directorprovides strategic leadership, fosters academic excellence, andensures alignment with the goals of the College of HealthProfessions and the broader university. This position is equivalentto a department chair and plays a critical role in advancing theschool's mission in teaching, research, service, and communityengagement. The college seeks a dynamic leader who will collaboratewith faculty, staff, and students to foster a culture ofexcellence. UTRGV was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 asthe first major public university of the 21st century in Texas andis the second-largest Hispanic-serving institution in the UnitedStates. The majority of its students are bilingual and bicultural. UTRGV is located in a growing, vibrant region on the border with Mexico, which boasts many diverse cultural, ecological, andrecreational activities. UTRGV established a Division of Health Affairs to help grow UT Health RGV, ensure the participation of allhealth-related programs, and create a stronger framework forcollaboration and impact among health-related programs. The goal ofthe division is to boost interdisciplinary learning, enhancepatient care, and support UT Health RGV's growing clinicalservices, including the Cancer & Surgery Center and Diabetes Center of Excellence. The Division of Health Affairs aligns the Schools of Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, Nursing, Optometry(launching in 2027, pending accreditation), and the College ofHealth Professions. The School of Rehabilitation Services &Counseling is a dynamic academic unit dedicated to preparingprofessionals to assist people with disabilities to live full andindependent lives. Located in a modern facility (Edinburg Health AffairsBuilding West) featuring dedicated classrooms and astate-of-the-art Counseling & Wellness Center and Research Center, the school prides itself on preparing students to enter arewarding field of helping others to achieve their own goals ofindependence and productivity. Leadership Role of the Director Provide strategic academic leadership to advance the school'smission in teaching, research, and service, with a focus oninnovation, excellence, and impact. Drive enrollment growth at both the undergraduate and graduatelevels, with a particular emphasis on expanding and strengtheningthe PhD program. Champion research development, fostering a culture of inquiryand scholarship that supports UTRGV's goal of achieving R1 statusas designated by the Carnegie Commission. Cultivate a collaborative and inclusive academic community, promoting shared governance, transparency, and mutual respect amongfaculty, staff, and students. Lead the school's administrative operations, including budgetmanagement, policy enforcement, and resource allocation to supportstrategic priorities. Recruit, retain, and mentor high-quality faculty and staff, supporting their professional development and fostering a cultureof academic excellence. Oversee faculty evaluation, promotion, and developmentprocesses, ensuring alignment with university standards and bestpractices in higher education. Strengthen external partnerships and interdisciplinarycollaborations, enhancing the school's visibility and impact withinthe university and broader community. Advance curricular innovation and student success initiatives, ensuring academic programs are responsive to evolving professionaland societal needs. Foster effective communication and conflict resolution, addressing concerns and promoting a positive and productiveacademic climate. Engage stakeholders in shaping the school's direction, including faculty, students, alumni, community partners, anduniversity leadership. As a faculty member, the Director is also expected to maintain anactive role in teaching (with a reduced load), research, andservice, modeling the values of academic engagement andleadership.

Minimum Qualifications: Have a PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling, PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, PhD in Counselor Education, PhD in Counselor Education& Supervision, or similar (e.g., PhD in RehabilitationPsychology, ScD in Rehabilitation Science, RhD in Rehabilitation, PhD in Mental Health Counseling, EdD in Educational Leadership, EdDin Counseling, etc.). Be a tenured associate professor or higher. Have a demonstrated commitment to student success andsatisfaction. Have strong organizational and management skills Have experience with faculty governance. Have a demonstrated ability to secure grants and externalfunding. Have a proven record of scholarship and current knowledge ofthe state of the field.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications: Preferred Qualification: Tenured, full professor. Experience as chair, assistant chair, or program director. Experience at a Carnegie classified R2 doctoral university -high research activity - or higher. Experience and/or knowledge of distributed campus models.

Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and

Desired Start Date: 07/01/2027

EEO Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley topromote and ensure equal employment opportunities for allindividuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity orexpression, genetic information or protected veteran status. Inaccordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil RightsAct of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americanswith Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University iscommitted to comply with all government requirements and ensuresnon-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities anddifferently abled persons to apply for employment positions ofinterest.

Open Date: 10/12/2026

Additional Information: UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, theposition may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio GrandeValley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This positionis 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 perweek 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 40hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Please Note: Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactorypaper-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 scoreof 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incompleteapplications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budgetapproval.