University of Kentucky | College of Health Sciences Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders

                                       Department Chair                                          

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) in the University of Kentucky’s College of Health Sciences is currently accepting applications for a full-time (12-month), tenure-eligible Faculty Member to serve as Department Chair. Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience. We invite you to become part of a dynamic department to help meet the administrative and leadership needs for our expanding department.

This leadership position is one of 5 chairs and 4 associate deans in the College of Health Sciences and sits on the Dean’s Executive Committee. This is a tenure eligible position.

The primary responsibilities of the Department Chair will be to provide visionary and strategic leadership and direction for our academic programs which includes overseeing educational, research and engagement activities, as well as managing human and budgetary resources. The individual will ensure academic excellence, innovation in clinical education, and continued accreditation compliance. This individual will also advocate for students, faculty, and staff with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the department and possess exceptional interpersonal skills to help maintain a collaborative department culture The specific instructional assignments will be based on program needs and areas of expertise.

Qualified applicants must possess a minimum of an Academic Doctoral Degree in Speech Language Pathology or Audiology or related area, ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology or Speech Language Pathology, Kentucky licensure or eligibility. Qualified applicants in all areas of speech, language and hearing expertise will be considered, but preference will be given to those with experience in department or program administration.

Candidates should apply online at https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/603165, with a curriculum vita, letter of interest, and other specific requests listed on the UK HR employment website. Questions about the position should be directed to the search committee chair, Sarah Kercsmar, PhD, MHA by email to: sarah.kercsmar@uky.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Start date for this position is negotiable.

The University of Kentucky and College of Health Sciences are dedicated to creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff collaborate openly and treat one another with respect. We bring together many people into one community as we work toward our shared goal of advancing Kentucky through education, research, service, and care.

About the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) administers a doctoral program in audiology, (effective summer 2026), a master’s level graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology, a pre-professional undergraduate program and a telehealth graduate certificate. All programs are currently housed in the Charles T Wethington Building along with Departments of Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition, and Health and Clinical Sciences. There is also an interdisciplinary Rehabilitation and Health Sciences PhD Program. Additional space is planned for the Rankin Health Education Building (currently under construction) for academic and clinical training.

The qualified candidate will join an outstanding academic faculty devoted to teaching, research, clinical practice, and service. Our faculty is comprised of nine certified and licensed SLPs, one certified and licensed audiologist, and one speech behavioral neuroscientist. All faculty are engaged in active clinical practice and/or research. The UK CSD program has had a strong faculty history with two ASHA Honors recipients, eight ASHA Fellows, four state DiCarlo recipients, one national DiCarlo winner, a past president of ASHA, and recipients of multiple teaching awards.

Faculty members are currently funded at both the state and national levels (NIH, DoE). Our diverse research portfolio places a high value on translational, interdisciplinary, and collaborative science. The College of Health Sciences is

home to a variety of research laboratories and maintains strong collaborative ties with colleagues across campus. The successful candidate will have access to several significant research, clinical and instructional resources including the College’s state-of-the-art teaching facilities, the UK Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching, the Department of Otolaryngology the UK Voice and Swallow Clinic, the CSD Academic Clinic, the Speech Sensory Physiology and Perception Lab, the Voice and Speech Rehabilitation Research Lab, the School of Music’s Voice Performance Program, the Child Development Center of the Bluegrass, the Human Development Institute, the MRISC Neuroimaging Center, the Center for Clinical Translational Sciences, the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, a contiguous Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, the College of Dentistry, the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, and the outpatient clinical resources of UK Healthcare Outpatient Therapy Clinic at Cardinal Hill.

About the University of Kentucky

Founded in 1865 as a land-grant institution, UK is nestled in the scenic heart of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Recently ranked as one of the safest, most creative, and brainiest cities in the nation, Lexington is an ideal location to experience the work-life balance that the University strives to provide to its employees. Visit the University's website and see for yourself what makes UK the perfect place to work.