DEPARTMENT: 100 – Academics / STATUS: Full-Time, 12-Month / CLASSIFICATION:Exempt / RANK: Faculty rank depends upon degree and experience / LAST UPDATED: June 2026 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION 

The Program Chair oversees one or more academic programs including assigned faculty and staff. The Chair’s primary role is to give significant time and effort to program development by leading and managing   the development process, evaluating, and assessing programs, and improving curricular offerings. In addition, the Chair oversees adjunct faculty within the program, and interdepartmental communication. Finally, the Chair works with other university offices to meet enrollment and retention goals by assisting in building relationships with external constituents, connecting with prospective students, providing input on external communication, and   championing the department for long-term sustainability. The position holds academic faculty status and rank.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The Chair reports to the Dean of Arts and Sciences and the Provost.
• Serves on the appropriate faculty committees as assigned by Provost.
• Chair the Health Science Program’s Academic Committee. Schedule and lead monthly meetings that provide oversight for curriculum, and assessment. 
• Teaching units assigned by Provost (release time applies for program administration).
• Collaborates with the Academic Office in planning adjunct faculty teaching assignments, and approval of course outlines each semester.
• Care and management of the Science Lab.
• Oversee internship site development, student placement, and student/site completion (with adjunct faculty support).
• Promotes the program and assures that recruitment and retention targets are achieved. 
• Mentors’ new adjunct faculty and provides expectations and accountability of best practices and missional alignment.
• Models best instructional practices and guides colleagues in adopting those practices.
• Responsible for annual assessment for her/his program, working with the faculty academic committee. (Maintain the Assessment Plan and monitoring progress on annual assessment and Program Review recommendations).
• Ensures excellent student experience, advising, building on campus program community, etc. 
• Engages in scholarly and/or professional activities.
• Actively integrates Christian faith into professional practice and models caring relationships and Christian example for students as an effective role model of a Christian life.
• Accomplish other duties assigned by the Dean of Arts and Sciences and Provost. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• Holds an earned Master’s degree in a relevant field. 
• Possesses experience overseeing a department, group, program, etc.
• Shows willingness and ability to apply the Christian worldview in course design, instruction, and advising.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and writing ability.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with and engaging diverse students and colleagues.
• Computer knowledge/skills: working knowledge of Windows-based computers; Microsoft Word, Excel.
• Committed to establishing and maintaining positive relationships with students, faculty, and staff, and the general constituency of Life Pacific.
• Demonstrated Christian faith consistent with Life Pacific University commitment to The Foursquare Church Denomination. Faculty must align to our Pentecostal/Charismatic and Wesleyan Arminian stance (must be able to sign Life Pacific’s Statement of Faith and align with its position on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity). 

This job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to revision when necessary. 

Candidates must be Christian believers holding a Pentecostal/charismatic perspective and will be required to adhere to the University’s statement of faith and mission. Though not required, this position is optionally eligible to apply for appointment as a Foursquare minister under certain conditions. If appointed as a minister, the employee will be available to provide pastoral care and prayer. In addition, s/he may be called upon to perform sacerdotal duties upon request of the University. 

No person shall be denied employment at Life Pacific University on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification, except as may be permitted by law.