Department Head, Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

The Department of Urban Planning and Policy in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) invites nominations and applications for the position of Head. The successful candidate will provide leadership for the growth of the department and a vision for the department’s continued excellence in research, teaching, and service. They will have a visible presence in the Chicago metropolitan region, throughout Illinois, and globally.  The department offers a highly-regarded professional degree program, the Masters in Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP), which is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. It also hosts a new and rapidly growing Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and a small but selective doctoral program, and the Urban Data Visualization Lab. The department has 18 tenured and tenure-track faculty, and currently 160 MUPP students, 80 undergraduate majors, and 25 Ph.D. students are enrolled.

Located just west of Chicago's Loop, UIC is a Carnegie Research I University (very high research activity). It enrolls 27,000 students and is the largest public research university in the Chicago area. CUPPA was created in 1995 as part of UIC's Great Cities Initiative and houses two academic programs (Urban Planning and Policy and Public Administration). The College also hosts six research centers and institutes: the Survey Research Laboratory, the Great Cities Institute, the Urban Transportation Center, the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, and the Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

The Head is the administrative officer of the department with responsibility for instructional programs and for administrative, budgetary, promotion, and recruitment matters. The department has a long tradition of shared governance and the Head regularly consults with faculty, students, staff and the departmental Advisory Committee around key decisions.  The Head also represents the department within the College, University, and academic and professional communities.  The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of scholarship commensurate with the rank of full professor, exceptional administrative skills, teaching excellence, and demonstrated commitment to community engagement, and social justice. The area of specialization is open but should align with at least one of the department’s concentrations:  spatial planning and design; urban transportation; community development; economic development; globalization and international planning; and environmental planning and policy.

In recognition of UIC’s status as an urban-serving university and the department’s historical commitment to racial equity, applications from underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged. 

UIC’s tenure/tenure-track and full-time non-tenure track faculty are represented by UIC United Faculty Local 6456: American Federation of Teachers / American Association of University Professors / Illinois Federation of Teachers / AFL-CIO.

Application Procedure

To apply please submit a complete on-line application and upload a complete curriculum vitae, a statement of qualifications, and the names and contact information of three references at

Will fill in with Hire Touch info.

Minimum Qualifications (required) for posting to UIC Job Board

• An earned doctorate in urban planning, geography, urban studies, architecture, or a related field.
• Tenure at a highly-ranked academic institution, including at least ten years of faculty service.
• A thorough knowledge of the academic discipline and professional organizations within urban planning and policy. 
• Firsthand knowledge of university administration, especially in the areas of faculty development, grants management, student affairs, continuing education, alumni affairs, and public service.
• Understanding of budgeting and financial management, marketing, and strategic planning within an academic department.
• Ability to collaborate, build consensus, and plan for joint action with faculty, students, and staff.

The review process will continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, applications should be received by January 29, 2016.

The Head is the administrative officer of the department with responsibility for instructional programs and for administrative, budgetary, promotion, and recruitment matters. The UPP Department has a long tradition of shared governance and a successful candidate will be expected to continue this through consultation with faculty, students, staff and the advisory committee in key decisions. The Head also represents the department within the College, the University, and academic and professional communities. The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of scholarship commensurate with the rank of full professor, exceptional administrative skills, teaching excellence, and demonstrated commitment to shared governance, community engagement, and social justice. The area of specialization is open but should align with at least one of the department’s concentrations: spatial planning and design; urban transportation; community development; economic development; globalization and international planning; and environmental planning and policy.

In recognition of UIC’s status as an urban-serving university and the department’s historical commitment to racial equity and social justice, applications from underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged. 

UIC’s tenure/tenure-track and full-time non-tenure track faculty are represented by UIC United Faculty Local 6456: American Federation of Teachers / American Association of University Professors / Illinois Federation of Teachers / AFL-CIO.

• An earned doctorate in urban planning, geography, urban studies, architecture, or a related field.
• Tenure at a highly-ranked academic institution, including at least ten years of faculty service.
• A thorough knowledge of the academic discipline and professional organizations within urban planning and policy. 
• Firsthand knowledge of university administration, especially in the areas of faculty development, shared governance, grants management, student affairs, continuing education, alumni affairs, and public service.
• Understanding of budgeting and financial management, marketing, and strategic planning within an academic department.
• Strong communications skills, including negotiation, dispute resolution, and leadership with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the general public. Ability to build consensus and action among a creative group of individuals.