Executive Director of Rural Health and Health Equity Research

Kennesaw State University invites applications and nominations for the role of Executive Director of Rural Health and Health Equity Research. Kennesaw State seeks a talented, collaborative, and creative leader to create a vibrant research team to work toward creating a new center aligned with Kennesaw State University's Health and Wellness Research Community. The Executive Director will work with the Office of the Vice President for Research to support, promote, and deliver first-class research and research-based community outcomes related to rural health and health equity.

The Executive Director will be responsible for the growth of research activities in the field of rural health and health equity through collaboration across the University and the state, supported by significant extramural funding. The Executive Director will support initiatives that improve healthcare, particularly in rural areas, and create a comprehensive data platform that informs needs and interventions. The Executive Director will recruit researchers to the Center. Given Kennesaw State's location, the Center will focus its efforts on engaging with, serving, and conducting research in Northwest Georgia.

For more than 60 years, Kennesaw State University has been known for its entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State is located just north of Atlanta, and combines a suburban setting on two metro-Atlanta campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. As one of Georgia’s largest universities, Kennesaw State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a growing number of doctoral programs to over 43,000 students. Our high-impact research and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and across the globe. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2) committed to becoming a world-class academic institution positioned to broaden its academic and research missions and expand its scope on a local, regional, and national level.

The Office of Research will provide the new Center for Rural Health and Health Equity Research with foundational infrastructure and assist the Executive Director in efforts to capitalize on the current faculty's depth and breadth of expertise. The University has seen a rapid increase in external funding for basic research from $4.3 million in 2006 to $43 million over the past five years, leading to new knowledge and discoveries by faculty and hands-on opportunities for students. In FY23, Kennesaw State researchers submitted 195 Proposals, received 152 External Awards, and were awarded $18.7 M in External Funding. Click here for research funding historical data. In Fall 2023, Kennesaw State University Office of Research launched four Research Communities, which represent an interdisciplinary infrastructure resourced to provide meaningful research experiences and workforce preparedness to KSU’s students and invite corporate and community partners to work with the University toward this goal. These Research Communities — Sustainable Communities, Innovative Creativity, Applied Technologies, and Health and Wellness— were identified following an internal examination of the University’s research strengths. The Rural Health and Health Equity Research Center is a part of the Health and Wellness initiative. Given its proximity to rural Georgia, KSU is uniquely positioned to address health disparities between rural and urban areas. The creation of such a center reflects KSU’s commitment to promote health equity.

This administrative appointment is a 12 month, contracted tenured faculty position. Annual evaluations will be used to determine re-appointment to this administrative role. Requested application materials include a letter of interest, a resume/CV, and a list of five references. Candidates are welcome to include a teaching philosophy statement addressing how they will promote student success at KSU. All applications, nominations, and inquiries will remain confidential until finalists are identified for campus interviews. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by August 9, 2024, to the following address: KSU-ED-RuralHealth@storbecksearch.com

This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Georgia. Salary commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.

For a more detailed description of the opportunity, please visit: https://dsgconnect-files.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/20707/position-profile.pdf

For additional information, please contact:

Jim Sirianni, Managing Director
Mark Halligan, Senior Associate
KSU-ED-RuralHealth@storbecksearch.com

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information about this policy or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 202, eeo@kennesaw.edu