Posting Details
Job Title Chair of Rehabilitation Sciences and Program Director of BSHS Pre-Clinical Studies (Tenured F927)
Department SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY & ATHLETIC TRAINING
Position Number F927
Job Description
The Ellmer College of Health Sciences invites applications for a dynamic, visionary, and collaborative leader to serve as Chair of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor. This role offers a rare opportunity to lead a comprehensive and growing department with strong professional programs, dedicated faculty, and meaningful community partnerships. The Chair of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of health and rehabilitation education and respond to evolving workforce needs and emerging trends in rehabilitation and health sciences while contributing to the broader mission and impact of the university.
The Chair of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences provides academic, strategic, and administrative leadership for a comprehensive department that includes programs in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Recreational Therapy, and Preclinical Studies. In addition to serving as school chair, the successful candidate will serve as Program Director for the newly launched Pre-Clinical Studies major in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree Program, providing leadership for curriculum development, assessment, program growth and student success initiatives. The Chair fosters excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and clinical mentorship by cultivating a collegial, inclusive, and high-performing departmental culture that supports faculty, staff, and students in achieving professional and academic goals.
Reporting to the Dean of the Ellmer College of Health Sciences, the Chair is responsible for strategic leadership, faculty development, fiscal stewardship, accreditation oversight, and meaningful engagement with internal and external stakeholders. The Chair oversees curriculum, assessment, and continuous quality improvement across undergraduate and graduate programs, ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards, and supports ongoing accreditation processes. The role also includes managing school resources, expanding funding support for scholarship and training, and strengthening partnerships with clinical agencies, community organizations, alumni, and advisory boards to enhance student learning, research impact, and community engagement.
Position Type FullTime
Type of Recruitment General Public
Type of Recruitment General Public
Minimum required education and/or special licenses, registrations, trainings, or certifications
Earned doctorate (PhD, EdD, ScD, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and eligibility for appointment as a tenured Associate Professor
Minimum required level and @type of experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities
Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment.
Documented academic or research leadership experience (e.g., Program Director, Department Chair, Associate Chair, Research Lab or Center Director).
Experience with academic administration, including curriculum oversight, assessment, and accreditation or continuous quality improvement processes.
Demonstrated ability to provide collaborative, strategic leadership, including faculty mentorship, resource management, and engagement with institutional and external stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated record of external grant funding and/or leadership of multidisciplinary or collaborative research programs.
Experience with innovative, evidence-informed, and/or technology-enhanced teaching and learning approaches across undergraduate or graduate education.
Demonstrated commitment to person-centered, culturally responsive, and inclusive practices in teaching, research, leadership, and clinical engagement.
Record of interprofessional collaboration and/or meaningful community-engaged partnerships that enhance education, research, or practice.
Experience contributing to program growth, innovation, or strategic initiatives within academic or health professions settings.
Conditions of Employment
All final candidates will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check prior to beginning employment.
Location Norfolk, VA
Job Open Date 01/09/2026
Application Review Date 02/09/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Application Instructions
Interested candidates must apply at https://jobs.odu.edu/postings/25057
and attach the following with their online application:
Letter of application highlighting qualifications for the position and leadership philosophy
Current CV
A statement of scholarly interests and accomplishments
A statement of teaching philosophy and approaches
Unofficial graduate transcripts
Contact information for three professional references
Applications should be submitted by February 09, 2026,for full consideration. The position will remain open until it is filled.
Telework Friendly No
Reasonable Accommodation Request
If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at (757)683-3141.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or © consistent with contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
About the College
Old Dominion University is a residential, research-extensive public institution with a total student enrollment of about 25,000 students, approximately 6,000 of whom are graduate students. Old Dominion University is a minority serving institution ( MIS ); one third of the students are from minority backgrounds and over 1,100 are international students from 94 countries. Old Dominion University has a diverse faculty of over 750, of which 40% are women. The University's primary campus is located in Norfolk, VA, one of the seven cities that make up the historic Hampton Roads region of Virginia which, with a diverse population of 1.7 million, is a major recreation area and home to the Port of Virginia and the largest naval base in the world.
About the Department
The School of Rehabilitation Sciences offers a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, a Master of Science in Athletic Training program, an undergraduate Recreational Therapy program, and an undergraduate preclinical studies program. It participates in a college-wide Kinesiology and Rehabilitation PhD program and the Doctor of Applied Science in Kinesiology program. ODU recently merged with Eastern Virginia Medical School to form the new Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences. This has created an exciting new collaborative environment with the programs available from each entity.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
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How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
The Chronicle of Higher Education (website or print)
Higheredjobs.com
DiverseJobs.com
InsightIntoDiversity.com
Jobs.Virginia.gov
Old Dominion University website
Virginia Pilot (website or print)
Richmond Times Dispatch (website or print)
Academic Keys
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(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Curriculum Vitae
Statement of Research Interests
Teaching Philosophy
Unofficial Graduate Transcripts
Contact Information for Professional References
Optional Documents
