Eastern Kentucky University
welcomes applications for the position of
Director of the Honors Program.


The Director will provide leadership and direction in the development and improvement of learning opportunities and experiences for the approximately 600 student members of the Honors Program.  The emphasis of the program is to encourage independent critical and creative thinking and frequent exchanges of ideas in and outside classes. The Honors Program is part of the Division of Academic Affairs and the Director reports directly to the Provost.

Specific duties include:

  • developing and strengthening academic programs and curricula;
  • managing extra-and co-curricular programs and services, including trips to conferences, and cultural trips to major cities;
  • administering admission processes for freshmen and continuing students;
  • promulgating academic policies and procedures;
  • supervising and coordinating the duties of the Honors Program staff; and
  • managing the program budget.

The Director will be expected to work closely and productively with members of the University community, including students, faculty, deans, department chairs and other campus constituencies.  The Director will teach one course per academic year. This is a twelve-month administrative position; the duties will commence on July 1, 2008 or as soon thereafter as feasible. Salary is negotiable and dependent on qualifications. 

The Honors Program at EKU, now in its twentieth year, has become a nationally recognized leader in Honors education, with a program endowment well in excess of $1 million, a network of dedicated alumni across the nation and around the world, and a strong tradition of enthusiastic campus-wide faculty and administrative support. Over the past two decades, the EKU Honors Program has sent more student paper and panel presentations to the annual conference of the National Collegiate Honors Council than any other university.  Additional information about the program can be found at the program website: www.honors.eku.edu.  EKU is a public comprehensive university with a total enrollment of approximately 15,000.

Qualifications: Terminal degree and academic credentials suitable for a tenured appointment at the level of Associate or Full Professor in the candidate’s discipline. Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience in college or university honors programs or other programs for high-ability students.  The successful candidate must have strong leadership and consensus-building skills.  Applicants must also possess excellent written and oral communications skills and demonstrate evidence of commitment to excellence in undergraduate education.

Richmond, Kentucky:  Located on I-75, Richmond is the seat of the fastest growing county in Kentucky (population 80,000) and part of the nearby Lexington, KY metropolitan area (total population over 600,000). Madison County straddles the boundary where the rolling horse-farm country of the Bluegrass region meets the foothills of the Cumberland plateau.

To Apply: A complete application consists of: 1) a letter of intent which includes a clear statement of the applicant's views on the role and importance of honors in the undergraduate experience, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) three letters of reference. Please include in your application materials the names and contact information of the three individuals you have asked to send reference letters.

Review of applications will begin March 1, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should be sent to: Honors Director Search, Academic Affairs—Attn:  Rhonda Goode, Eastern Kentucky University, 2 Keen Johnson Bldg., 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475.  Application materials in Word or .pdf format may also be sent electronically to: rhonda.goode@eku.edu.

Nominations and inquiries concerning the search should be directed to:  David Coleman, Chair, EKU Honors Program Director Search, Department of History, Eastern Kentucky University, 323 Keith Bldg., 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475 (or e-mail:  david.coleman@eku.edu).

Eastern Kentucky University is an EEO/AA institution that values diversity in its faculty, staff, and student body.  In keeping with this commitment, the University welcomes applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity.

Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory background check and educational credential verification.