The Opportunity

Lesley University invites applications for a Department Chair to lead the Counseling & Psychology Department within Mental Health and Wellbeing Program. This is a full‑time faculty appointment with administrative leadership responsibilities. This position reports and works to and works closely with the Associate Provost for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Chair supports faculty excellence, oversees academic programs, and fosters a learning environment grounded in reflective practice and social justice.

The ideal candidate is an experienced educator and collaborative leader who brings a strong commitment to culturally responsive counseling, high‑quality teaching, and innovative program development. The Chair is responsible for, curriculum quality, accreditation alignment, student success initiatives, and departmental operations.

About the Program

Lesley University’s Counseling and Psychology programs emphasize strong theoretical foundations, reflective practice, and applied skills that prepare students for diverse roles in mental health and human services. Lesley is committed to educating students through inquiry, creativity, and community engagement. The Counseling & Psychology Department prepares students for meaningful careers in mental health, human services, and related fields through rigorous academic study, reflective practice, and applied learning. Faculty collaborate across disciplines to support student development and uphold the values of equity, compassion, and intellectual curiosity.

Primary Responsibilities

• Guide curriculum development, program review, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure academic excellence of the Counseling & Psychology program.
• Collaborate with the Associate Provost to provide vision, strategic planning, and operational oversight for the Counseling & Psychology Department.
• Support accreditation, licensure alignment, and compliance with state and professional standards.
• Support faculty in the integration of, reflective practice, and culturally responsive trauma‑informed pedagogy.
• Collaborate with the Associate Provost to strengthen partnerships with community agencies, clinical training sites, and professional organizations.
• Collaborate with field training staff to maintain high‑quality practicum and internship courses.
• Teach graduate‑level course load across foundational Counseling and Psychology curricula, including counseling courses.
• Model excellence in teaching, reflective practice, and ethical professional engagement
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive departmental culture.
• Mentor faculty in teaching, scholarship, advising, and professional development.
• Support student success through advising structures, responsive policies, and equitable learning environments.
• Promote initiatives that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

Qualities and Capabilities

A successful candidate will have:

• Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, PsyD, or equivalent) in Counseling, Psychology, Counselor Education, or a closely related field.

• Licensed or license eligible in Massachusetts as an LMHC, LICSW, LMFT, LPC, LPCC

• Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education or related field (e.g., program director, coordinator, chair, or equivalent).
• Evidence of successful teaching at the college or graduate level, 3-5 years.
• Record of scholarship, clinical practice, or professional contributions in Counseling or Psychology.
• Commitment to culturally responsive, trauma‑informed, and inclusive pedagogy.
• Experience with accreditation, licensure requirements, or program assessment.
• Licensure or license‑eligibility as a mental health professional.
• Experience supervising faculty or managing academic programs.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with community agencies or clinical training sites.
• Experience leading initiatives that advance equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Familiarity with liberal arts education and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Why Lesley

Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer significant paid time off, a generous retirement plan, and tuition programs that enable employees and their dependents to expand their knowledge and skills.

Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that fosters a true sense of belonging for all, provides opportunity for everyone to participate equally and fully in the Lesley experience, and helps to develop each individual's capacity to confidently and competently engage within and across difference. Given an evolving national context and the rapid change in the demographic profile of our country, the University has made a significant commitment to addressing and enhancing its campus climate and diversity capabilities as an institution.

Expressing Interest

A letter of interest, CV/resume, and a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, professional activity, and/or service must be included for full consideration.

At Lesley University we strive for a supportive and equitable environment where people -- regardless of race, ethnicity, color, sex, physical ability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in uniformed services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws -- can participate equally and fully as their true selves in all aspects of university life. Accordingly, the University prohibits discrimination based on these protected categories in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and in employment. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of our institution. Individuals may submit concerns or questions related to discrimination to the University's Director of Equal Opportunity. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity's webpage for the University's entire notice of nondiscrimination and for additional information.

Lesley University Core Faculty positions are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). To view our compensation targets for this position, please visit this link.