Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist William James College in their search for Department Chair for the School Psychology Department. 

*This position will have flexibility around some remote work*

This is an exceptional opportunity to make an impact in your field and lead a successful, highly resourced, and well-supported program in a dynamic and forward-thinking institution solely committed to and focused on psychology, counseling, and leadership. The next Chair leads a well-known and respected program with strong community relationships, excellent student placement rates, and accreditations in good standing and not due for five years. The successful candidate joins a nimble and highly collaborative environment surrounded by motivated, committed, and collaborative colleagues. 
The William James College School Psychology Department is comprised of a friendly, dynamic, and energetic group of practitioners/scholars. The department is student-focused and passionate about training students to become well-rounded school psychologists well-versed in social justice, prevention, and social and emotional learning.  

William James College is committed to an active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—in people, in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in the College's intellectual, social, cultural, and geographical communities. William James College endorses a framework of inclusive excellence, which recognizes that institutional excellence comes from fully engaging with diversity in all aspects of institutional activities.

The School Psychology Department Chair is a full-time (12 month) academic administrator who reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) and provides leadership and long-term planning in the School Psychology Department. The Chair supervises faculty and administrative staff across two academic programs (Specialist Level School Psychology Program, and Applied Behavior Analysis Program), evaluates curriculum, maintains program accreditation (NASP), oversees student-oriented activities, and manages student enrollment, outreach, and recruitment activities. The Chair works with the VPAA to ensure that departmental programs are aligned with the mission and strategic goals of William James College. The Chair supports institutional initiatives and the development of new programs. Strong, inclusive leadership skills, flexibility, creative problem-solving skills, and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession are essential requirements for this position. 

This position reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Rank is commensurate with experience. 

Leadership Expectations: 

• Provide leadership toward the achievement of the highest possible level of inclusive excellence in the teaching and service activities of the department. 
• Support the strategic goals of the College through all the department's programming decisions and through new initiatives, as requested by the President. 
• Articulate the department's goals and maintain a climate that is inclusive and encourages faculty engagement, participation, collegiality, and innovation. 
• Develop the department's academic programs in alignment with the mission of the College and in alignment with evolving accreditation requirements. 
• Assist with the active recruitment of a diverse student body by creating and maintaining a productive partnership with the admissions office.  
• Hire and retain outstanding and diverse faculty and staff. 
• Respond to questions, complaints, grievances, and suggestions from members of the department, including academic and staff personnel and students. The Chair has the responsibility to take appropriate actions as required and in accordance with the policies and rules of the College. 

Administrative Responsibilities: 

• Serve as Program Director for the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved MA/CAGS School Psychology Program  
• Responsible for implementing College policy and rules within the department. 
• Responsible for preparing and proposing budget requests, establishing expenditure priorities, and fairly and equitably administering the department budget, subject to the policies established by the VPAA and CFO, and for articulating the relationship between the budget and the department's strategic plan. 
• Responsible for establishing teaching schedules in consultation with faculty and Academic Affairs and assigning faculty to meet the needs of the curriculum. 
• Ensure continued accreditation of the MA/CAGS School Psychology Programs (NASP) 
• Supervise departmental program directors, Associate Director of Field Education, and Department Coordinator, providing consultation and support as needed. 

Essential Qualifications: 

• Earned doctorate in School Psychology or in a related field
• Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) or eligible (preferred)
• Two or more years of experience working in an elementary or secondary school as a school psychologist (preferred) 
• Commitment to the recruitment, retention, and development of a diverse student and faculty body, including advocating for the learning needs of diverse/underrepresented students and the use of innovative teaching strategies 
• Familiarity with NASP Accreditation requirements 
• Graduate teaching and advising experience 
• Record of professional contributions to the field of school psychology (e.g., professional development workshops, professional conference presentations) 

About William James College

On May 7, 2015, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, founded in 1974, officially adopted their new name, William James College. Since its founding, an education at MSPP/William James College has meant classroom instruction that creatively integrates psychological theory and research with critical self-knowledge and clinical illustrations offered by supervisors, colleagues, and a practitioner faculty. William James (1842-1910), the founder of American psychology is one of the most influential and innovative thinkers of the 19th century, and he was the mentor to, among others, John Dewey, the architect of experiential learning. William James championed diversity and access to education across race and gender lines; he promoted openness to wide ranging social perspectives; and he promoted a more practical application of psychology.
William James College strives to be a preeminent school of psychology that integrates rigorous academic instruction with extensive field education and close attention to professional development. They assume an ongoing social responsibility to create programs to educate specialists of many disciplines to meet the evolving mental health needs of society.

Living in the Area

With a population of nearly 700,000, Boston, MA has been called the "Athens of America" and is widely viewed as the intellectual and historic capital of the United States. It is a cosmopolitan city with a complete set of services, a wide range of amenities, and rich tradition and culture. With a modern, attractive, and completely walkable downtown, Boston is dotted with Revolutionary period historic sites along the Freedom Trail and preserved old streetscapes mixed in with modern commercial office buildings. 

The surrounding suburbs offer an excellent and well used commuter rail system. Each neighborhood has its own little town center that is functional, accessible by the rail system, and filled with local businesses. Arts and culture amenities in downtown Boston and the entire surrounding area are exceptional, and most, like the Boston Pops and the Museum of Fine Arts, are well known beyond the city limits. Boston’s professional sports, from baseball to ice hockey, are well loved and respected nationally. Education, at all levels, is outstanding in the Boston area. Area public schools are nationally recognized, and a driving reason people move to the area. Additionally, the entire Boston Metro area is centrally located near everything the Northeast has to offer – skiing in New Hampshire, beaches in Rhode Island, and trips to New York City are all only 2 to 3 hours away. 


To Apply 

Please do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially:

Inquiries and questions: Please send to williamjames@acesrch.com
Nominations and referrals: Please send to nominations@acesrch.com   
Inclusive Excellence at William James College 
William James College is an institution and a community committed to the principles of excellence, fairness, and respect for all people. Making excellence inclusive is an active process through which colleges and universities achieve excellence in learning, teaching, student development, institutional functioning, and engagement in local and global communities.