Job Description

Purpose of Position
Christopher Newport University invites applications for the position of Department Chair of Music, Theatre, and Dance within the newly formed School of the Arts at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, beginning in August 2026. We seek an accomplished teacher, artist/scholar, and leader to guide a dynamic department located in the Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts, the University’s world-class venue for music, theatre, and dance.

Position Responsibilities:
The Chair will serve a three-year renewable term, after which the role rotates among tenured faculty elected to the position. An Associate Chair (from a discipline other than the Chair’s) will provide administrative support and collaborative leadership.

The Chair’s duties include:
Providing vision and leadership in curriculum, faculty development, and program growth.
Overseeing departmental governance, scheduling, and budgets.
Supporting student success, recruitment, and retention.
Building partnerships across campus and with the regional community.
Advocating for the department within the University and externally.
The teaching load for this position is 2-1 if research active.

Desired Qualifications:
Candidates may come from any of the department’s disciplines – music, theatre, or dance. We especially welcome applicants whose expertise broadens and strengthens our offerings, such as those in musical theatre/voice, dance, arts management, or film.

Required qualifications include:
A terminal degree in a relevant field.
A record of teaching excellence and scholarly/creative achievement appropriate for tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
Demonstrated administrative or leadership experience.
A commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and collaboration across disciplines.
Departmental Information
The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance stands at the heart of the arts at Christopher Newport University, combining rigorous academic programs with dynamic, high-caliber performances in world-class venues. Faculty and students are equally committed to honoring tradition and exploring innovation, with expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary projects and community partnerships. Located in the Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts, the department enjoys access to premier facilities, including rehearsal and performance halls, studios, a recording studio, and state-of-the-art design labs. A team of 21 full-time faculty and 4 professional staff support more than 180 majors and 51 minors in music, theatre, and dance. Programs include the Bachelor of Music, the Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Performing Arts, and the Master of Arts in Teaching (music), along with minors in all three disciplines. Christopher Newport University proudly maintains accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Christopher Newport University, located in Newport News, Virginia, is a public liberal arts institution dedicated to the ideals of leadership, service, and honor. The University is committed to the success of its students, preparing them for lives of meaning and consequence.
CNU Information
Christopher Newport University is a public liberal arts and sciences institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship, research and student success. Our efforts are guided by our vision: “Anchored in excellence and focused on students, Christopher Newport University aspires to be the nation’s premier regional public university, offering an innovative education embedded in the liberal arts that advances the values of honor, service, scholarship, and leadership to empower graduates to lead lives of significance.”
Located in Newport News, Virginia, CNU enrolls approximately 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 90 areas of study. Our modern, walkable campus features world-class arts facilities, advanced technology, and a close-knit community that fosters collaboration and discovery. Just minutes from family neighborhoods, locally-owned businesses, historic sites, unique cultural attractions, and beautiful parks – and a short drive to beaches, Colonial Williamsburg, and Norfolk – CNU offers an exceptional place to advance your career, contribute to a community of scholars, and inspire the next generation.
Christopher Newport University is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored, and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We recruit exceptional and diverse faculty and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit http://www.cnu.edu.