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Director - Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS)

Michigan State University
Posted: December 5, 2007

Description:
Michigan State University (MSU), the nation’s premier land-grant university, invites applications for the position of Director of MSU’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS). The appointment of the Director will be at least 50% and no more than 75% in CLACS; with the exact percentages in International Studies and Programs (ISP) and the academic department to be mutually agreed among the successful candidate, the Dean of ISP, and the home academic department. The appointment is on an annual (12-month) basis for a five-year period, with renewal possible.

Deadline:
Open Until Filled

Minimum Requirements:
Responsibilities:
The Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) reports directly to the Dean of International Studies and Programs and is responsible for providing intellectual and programmatic leadership to advance and promote excellence in MSU’s diverse research, teaching, and outreach activities relating to Latin America and the Caribbean. The position requires policy development and implementation capabilities as well as the ability to work collaboratively with faculty and administrators of academic units across the university and with other area studies and international thematic centers to promote international research, education, outreach, and service programs.

The duties of the Director of CLACS include supervising the Center’s programs and staff; representing the Center at MSU, across the nation and internationally; developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with higher education and other institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean to advance collaborative research, teaching, and engagement activities that positively impact critical local, national, and global issues; facilitating and catalyzing multi-disciplinary and cross-college faculty research and proposals for external funding of such research; developing grant proposals and securing Title VI and other external funds for Center programs; overseeing Center undergraduate and graduate specializations and majors; and facilitating graduate student proposals for external research funding. The director is expected to foster collaborative relationships with and among diverse constituent and stakeholder groups such as faculty, administrators, students, academic departments and colleges, K-12 institutions, local Latin American and Caribbean communities, and colleagues and institutions in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Preferred Qualifications:
Qualifications:
Candidates are expected to have a demonstrated record of research and scholarship and experience working in and teaching about Latin America and/or the Caribbean. Candidates must have an earned Ph.D. or its equivalent and meet the standards for appointment to the rank of associate or full professor (with tenure) in an academic department or school in one of MSU’s academic colleges. Candidates are expected to have demonstrated administrative skills and ability to secure external funding from diverse sources (including public foundations and private donors); establish and sustain strategic partnerships with universities and other institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean; and facilitate and catalyze programs of collaborative, multi-disciplinary research. Candidates should possess fluency in at least one of the most commonly spoken languages in the region: Spanish or Portuguese.

An understanding of and a commitment to the mission of a premier land-grant/AAU university is essential. MSU is strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications from women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Documents Required:

Contact Information:
Applications: Please send an application letter addressing your qualifications relevant to the items identified above, a recent vita, and a list of three references with addresses to: CLACS Director Search, c/o Michael Stokes, 209 International Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 or stokesm@msu.edu. We will begin reviewing applications February 15, 2008. We will receive applications until the position is filled.

MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.

MSU is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.

Additional information:
The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Established in 1963, CLACS has a proud history of engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean. CLACS currently holds a Title VI-A grant from the US Department of Education (August 2007-July 2009), and a grant from the Tinker Foundation that funds pre-dissertation research for graduate students pursuing projects in the region. CLACS’ programming includes an undergraduate major in Global and Area Studies with a Latin American and Caribbean Studies concentration, as well as graduate and undergraduate certificate programs. CLACS is actively engaged in significant outreach to media, educators, non-governmental organizations, governments, and business communities throughout the hemisphere. The Center is pursuing strategic partnerships with Brazilian universities and institutes, and is initiating similar initiatives in Spanish America with the aim of developing cooperative and intensive research and curricular projects.

CLACS is a unit of the Office of International Studies and Programs (ISP) at MSU which is headed by its own Dean. ISP incorporates MSU’s extensive study abroad programs and international student and scholar services, and CLACS actively partners with other ISP units including the African Studies Center; Asian Studies Center; Center for the Advanced Study of International Development; Center for International Business, Education, and Research; Center for Language Education and Research; and the Center for Gender in Global Context, which are currently U.S. Department of Education designated and funded Title VI resource centers. CLACS has more than 150 affiliated faculty members in the humanities, social sciences, the physical and biological sciences, agriculture, business, law, and other professional programs.

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©2006 Latin American Studies Association