Associate/Full Professor, Tenure/Tenure-Track Faculty Position, Department of Dance

Description

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE. It is the mission of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance to create an environment of educational and artistic excellence by nurturing creativity, academic integrity, and professionalism in its faculty and students. As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world’s finest public institutions of higher education, the School is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance.

● We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields.

● We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University of Michigan.

● We serve the community, the region, and the State of Michigan through public performances, cultural resources, arts education, and outreach programs.

The School’s mission is predicated on the belief that the study and practice of the performing arts depend upon a diverse community of learning in which a spirit of social responsibility and principled entrepreneurship is fostered.

The Department of Dance seeks a distinguished dance artist-educator who brings with them strong administrative experience, a collaborative spirit, a deep commitment to service, a record of successful teaching and a vision for advancing an inclusive, engaged, and evolving curriculum.

Duties: The appointee will be leading the Department of Dance as a chair for an initial term of five (5) years. The appointee will be expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence; create an innovative curriculum for a broad range of students of varied identities and backgrounds who seek to explore a range of educational opportunities and career pathways; recruit and retain students of exceptional promise and continue to develop and maintain a visible national and international profile as a performer, artist and a pedagogue. The multifaceted responsibilities, as chair, include overseeing all aspects of administration within the Department, standing as a representative for faculty, staff and students alike, and defining and guiding the vision of the Department within the School, the University and the national dance industry. The individual will also guide productions, engage in teaching dance courses, and represent the Department in donor-related activities. The appointed professor will need to demonstrate their commitment to teaching, collaborating on curriculum, scheduling classes, facilitating faculty assignments, and guiding a diverse group of students in realizing their professional potential in a just, equitable and consent-informed environment. The role demands active participation in budgeting and faculty governance. The appointee will attend faculty meetings, and serve on faculty and university committees, as appropriate. The appointee will have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills critical for interacting with our diverse students, faculty, and staff. This will involve presenting complex ideas and concepts with clarity, sensitivity, and compassion.

Qualifications

Required: A PhD, MFA, or commensurate professional experience; prior teaching experience, especially at the university level, and demonstrated ability to empower, advocate for, and value a broad range of students of diverse identities and experiences, as shown through pedagogy, mentoring, and related activities; strong academic and/or professional background; administrative experience with significant achievements in these areas; potential for ongoing creative or scholarly activities that will enhance the diversity, artistry, and academic value of our department; demonstrated experience as a collaborative leader and advocate, who will work in partnership with a dynamic and accomplished faculty to foster a learning environment rooted in artistic excellence, research, and innovation.

Preferred: Priority will be given to candidates with expertise in Dance History, Upper Level and Graduate Level Writing in Dance, Dance Criticism, Graduate Level Praxis based course integrating research and movement, and Foundational Modern techniques.

Rank: Professor or Associate Professor, Tenure/Tenure-Track

Application Instructions

To Apply: Materials are only being accepted via Interfolio. Required documents to be uploaded are: letter of interest, curriculum vitae, evidence of professional and teaching activity and a list of at least five current references with contact information [three letters of recommendation may be required, depending on discipline]. To apply, please click on the link.

Please ensure you upload documents to the position for which you are applying and not to your personal Interfolio account.

Other Applicant Information: Employment at the University of Michigan will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. will be required to sign and submit an “Authorization to Release Information” and a “Self-Disclosure form” to SMTD. The University of Michigan will contact the candidate’s current and past employers to ask about: (1) substantiated findings of sexual and gender-based misconduct, Title IX misconduct, or academic misconduct and any associated discipline related to teaching, research, and service; and (2) the existence of any active or ongoing investigations regarding sexual and gender-based misconduct, Title IX misconduct, or academic misconduct.

Deadline: Review of materials will begin Nov. 4, 2025. Materials need to be received by Nov. 3, 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.