Director of the Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage

Norman, Oklahoma, The Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage (IACH) and Department of Classics and Letters at the University of Oklahoma (OU) seek to recruit a dynamic leader and accomplished scholar for the endowed Sanders Chair in Law and Liberty, who will also serve as the Director of the IACH. Created in 1890 and recognized as the state's flagship university, OU is a doctoral degree-granting research university serving the educational, cultural, economic, and healthcare needs of the state, region, and nation. OU enrolls over 34,000 undergraduate and graduate students, representing 120 countries, has more than 2,800 full-time faculty, and offers 192 baccalaureate programs, 181 master's programs, and 87 doctoral programs. The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest of the degree-recommending colleges at the University of Oklahoma. Established in 1892 as the College of Liberal Arts, the College granted its first degree in 1898. Today, as then, the liberal arts and sciences provide the foundation for the OU educational experience and prepare students to live productive and successful lives as citizens of a democracy. Through teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and service, the Department of Classics and Letters seeks to preserve and promote the study of the culture, history, languages, literature, and philosophy of Greco-Roman antiquity and the enduring influence of Classical ideals on the modern world. The IACH plays a unique and important role within the University and within the national landscape of civic education programs, focused on constitutionalism. Established in 2009 within the College of Arts and Sciences, the IACH has become a premier civic education program, whose mission is focused on teaching undergraduates, nurturing outstanding scholarship, and engaging the public with a variety of enriching programs. The Institute prizes genuine intellectual diversity and welcomes rigorous inquiry across political and philosophical traditions. It has a proud tradition of research excellence, and it is committed to fostering faculty research at the highest level of national recognition and impact. This is a distinctive role that encompasses an endowed faculty appointment, institute directorship, teaching, scholarship, and public engagement. The Institute reports directly to the Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and the next Director and Chair will have substantial opportunity to develop the IACH's vision, advance its mission, and increase its impact. This is a role for a scholar of exceptional standing who is equally energized by teaching, institution building, and public engagement. The strongest candidates will bring exceptional scholarly credentials and an ability to engage credibly with academics, students, donors, university leaders, legislators, and the broader public. Subfields of interest include, but are not limited to: American law and constitutionalism from the eighteenth century to the present; the historical and ideological background of the American founding; the history of republicanism and democratic theory, etc. Applications are welcome from scholars in fields such as History, Political Science, Law, and Philosophy. Experience in building interdisciplinary academic programs, developing impactful public-facing events, and fundraising is desirable. The successful candidate will be hired at the Full Professor rank with tenure in the Department of Classics and Letters, with affiliate appointments in other departments possible. This position will have a 1:1 teaching load while holding the Endowed Chair and Director position. WittKieffer is assisting the University of Oklahoma in this search. Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be submitted through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal . Applicants should submit, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and a letter of interest addressing the themes outlined in this profile. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Christine J. Pendleton and Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, Ph.D., at OUSandersChair@wittkieffer.com . The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides. Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved. Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency je-f8b49ed22d844d1b92fe3f36128319c0