Associate Professor or Professor of Education, General Faculty (Occupational Therapy - Founding Program Director)

The University of Virginias School of Education and Human Development ( seeks a senior faculty member to be the founding program director for a new Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program to be established within its Department of Kinesiology. This is a non-tenure track position with the successful candidate to be appointed to the Academic General Faculty-Teaching track at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The School currently houses accredited health sciences programs in Athletic Training, Communication Sciences & Disorders, School & Clinical Psychology, and Counselor Education and aims to establish new professional doctoral programs in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. The OTD program is envisioned to be a hybrid program with students and faculty located at the universitys main campus in Charlottesville and at UVA Northern Virginia ( . The founding program director will be responsible for OTD program leadership, curriculum development, shepherding the program through university and state approvals, acquiring and maintaining ACOTE accreditation, and building a vibrant, innovative, and collaborative program culture.

The successful candidate will demonstrate evidence of expertise in clinical practice and professional education in Occupational Therapy, articulate a clear vision for establishing a new hybrid OTD program, and be committed to working cooperatively with faculty in other health science professional training programs at the University to achieve interprofessional education objectives. We seek a dynamic leader to guide the development and implementation of an OTD program that is committed to excellence in all its components. The successful candidate should have a strong record of teaching and leadership in Occupational Therapy, exemplary interpersonal communication skills in oral and written modalities, and an appreciation for the importance of research and scholarship inherent to a public flagship university.

The founding OTD program director will lead program development including marketing and applicant recruitment and selection, teach graduate courses in Occupational Therapy, and perform scholarship in Occupational Therapy requisite to ACOTE accreditation standards. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues within and outside the School of Education & Human Development, to accomplish duties as a faculty member; contribute to institutional service activities at the department, school, and university level as assigned and to professional service activities; and will attend faculty meetings at the department and School level. Load is set annually between the department chair and faculty member consistent with the Schools Load Planning policy.

**Required Qualifications:**

+ Licensed occupational therapist, or eligible for licensure, in the Commonwealth of Virginia

+ Earned doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Health Science, or a closely related discipline

+ Minimum of eight years experience in Occupational Therapy including clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist and administrative experience

+ Minimum of four years of experience as a faculty member with teaching responsibilities at the postbaccalaureate level

+ Documented current expertise in defined areas of Occupational Therapy

+ Evidence of scholarship requisite of ACOTE standards

+ Demonstrated knowledge of ACOTE accreditation standards

**Preferred Qualifications:**

+ Prior experience as a Program Director, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, or Doctoral Capstone Coordinator of an ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapist education program

+ Demonstrated experience, professional development, and education in administration, management, and leadership

+ Proven record of collaboration with diverse groups of students and faculty

+ Demonstrated ability to implement a variety of pedagogical techniques appropriate for academically diverse learners across in person, hybrid, and distance education settings

+ Evidence of sustained professional service in Occupational Therapy at the national or state levels

To Apply: Complete an application online ( and upload:

+ Cover letter

+ Curriculum vitae

+ Detailed vision statement for establishing a new, hybrid OTD program at an elite public flagship university

+ Teaching philosophy statement

+ Contact information for three professional references (References will not be contacted until after in-person interviews are conducted.)

The University of Virginias Mission Statement ( affirms its enduring commitment to a vibrant and unique residential learning environment marked by the free and collegial exchange of ideas; unwavering support of a collaborative community bound together by distinctive foundational values of honor, integrity, trust, and respect; and universal dedication to excellence and affordable access.

As part of your application, please describe your potential contributions to any aspect of this mission. Please focus upon your work skills and experience. In doing so, you may choose to refer to your personal perspective, but the focus of our consideration is on your potential contributions through skills and experience, rather than personal opinions or beliefs. Review of applications will begin on or about August 15, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their first day of employment.

For questions about the position, please contact Kinesiology Department chair Jay Hertel at ... or search committee chair Christopher Kuenze at .... For questions about the application process, please contact Justine Weaver, Faculty Affairs Project Associate at ....

Charlottesville and central Virginia offer a distinctive community for both personal and professional activities. Charlottesville is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is consistently listed among the top cities in national rankings of the most desirable places to live. It offers a thriving community, highlighted by regular literary, film, musical, theatrical, and historical festivals.

For more information about UVA and the surrounding area, please visit ( .

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here ( to read more about UVAs commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

**The University of Virginia offers confidential Dual Career Services to partners of incoming faculty candidates. To learn more, please visit** **dualcareer.virginia.edu**