Call for Applications: Director of the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages (LCTL) Center, which provides students with opportunities to develop proficiency and cultural competence in a geographically and linguistically diverse set of languages. Housed in the Department of Linguistics, the LCTL Center currently provides instruction in Akan-Twi, American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hungarian, Irish, Modern Greek, Persian (Farsi), Quechua, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Wolof, and Yoruba. Numerous English-medium courses relevant to the aforementioned linguacultures are also offered through the Center. Within the LCTL Center, students may major in Arabic, earn a certificate in ASL, or minor in one of 11 languages. The Center serves approximately 600 students per semester, with 42 students earning the ASL certificate in 2025 and approximately 80 students currently minoring in a LCTL.
Reporting to the Dean of the Dietrich School, the Director serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Center and is responsible for its overall leadership, academic vision, and administrative coordination. The faculty, staff, and students of the LCTL Center work together to accomplish the Center’s mission and to maintain a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse learning community that strengthens the University of Pittsburgh and the region.
All full-time, continuing faculty members in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences are eligible. Thus, applicants need not be housed in the Department of Linguistics to apply. An ideal candidate would demonstrate a significant record of teaching excellence, language program coordination, program development, and impactful service, as well as a strong commitment to collaboration across units and disciplines and to undergraduate education more broadly. While we welcome any relevant academic background, previous training in language pedagogy, language acquisition, linguistics, and/or cultural studies is especially welcome. Other desired qualifications include experience procuring intra- and extramural funding and conducting research in areas related to the Center’s mission. The position minimally requires a Master’s degree, but a PhD or EdD is preferred.
Primary Responsibilities
- Program Leadership & Administration
- Develop and articulate a communal vision for LCTL that corresponds to the opportunities and challenges of the current cultural and academic context.
- Represent the LCTL Center among the language departments, in the Humanities, and in the Dietrich School.
- Oversee program operations, including budget, reporting, resource management, and hiring, in conjunction with the Chair of the Department of Linguistics.
- Faculty Coordination
- Conduct annual evaluations of LCTL Center faculty, in conjunction with the Chair of Linguistics.
- Support faculty development, mentoring, and equity in service and teaching workload.
- Coordinate teaching assignments and promotion processes in collaboration with the Chair of Linguistics.
- Curriculum and Program Development
- Collaborate with LCTL program coordinators and faculty to sustain and enhance the curriculum, including course scheduling, learning assessment, and new course proposals.
- Foster interdisciplinary initiatives and partnerships with other academic units.
- Promote innovative pedagogy and experiential learning in alignment with the Center’s mission.
- Community and University Engagement
- Represent the LCTL Center in university, local, and regional venues.
- Build collaborations with community partners and other Pitt units that align with the Center’s focus on linguistic and cultural diversity.
Eligibility and Term
- Candidates must hold a full-time, continuing faculty appointment in any unit within the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.
- The Director is appointed for a 3-year term, renewable by approval of the Dean of the Dietrich School (after recommendation by the Center’s voting faculty and the Chair of Linguistics).
Application Process
Applications, nominations, and inquiries should be directed to Associate Dean Todd Reeser, Professor of French and Chair of the LCTL Center Director Search Committee, at reeser@pitt.edu.
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by March 23, 2026.
Applicants should submit two files:
- A statement of interest (maximum 800 words) outlining:
- relevant leadership, teaching, and administrative experience. Research (if applicable) may also be addressed.
- commitment to interdisciplinary and inclusive education.
- vision for the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center’s future.
- A current curriculum vitae
A brief letter or email of support should be requested from the applicant’s department chair or program director, sent directly to Professor Reeser (reeser@pitt.edu) by March 23.
More information about the LCTL Center can be found at https://lctl.pitt.edu/. Applicants may request the Department of Linguistics’ external review submission from December 2025 for additional information regarding the LCTL Center by emailing Professor Reeser.
Nominations are also welcome. Nominations should be sent to the search chair by March 12, 2026. The Search Committee will officially invite nominated candidates to submit an application.
The Search Committee will begin to review applications on or soon after March 24, 2026, conduct interviews, and then submit a recommendation to the Dean. Compensation would be determined in conjunction with the Dean.
The anticipated start date is August 15, 2026.
Graduate Studies
We seek members of faculty who are passionate about advancing equity and excellence in graduate education to join a vibrant, cooperative leadership team. Assistant Deans will work closely with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and the Graduate Studies staff, playing pivotal roles and making a lasting impact by leading strategic initiatives, fostering innovation and excellence in new and existing programs, enhancing overall academic quality, and supporting graduate student professional development, success, and well-being.
These roles also offer a strong opportunity for faculty to develop leadership skills and gain experience in school- and university-level academic administration.
All tenured graduate faculty are eligible to apply for the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, Academic Affairs and Academic Integrity position. All full-time (non-visiting) faculty with experience in graduate education are eligible to apply for the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, Recruiting and Belonging position.
Positions require a commitment equal to approximately one day per week during the academic year and a reduced effort during the summer term. Specific responsibilities of each assistant dean are planned to include the following areas, with the division of duties subject to adjustment to ensure equitable effort among the leadership team.
Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, Academic Affairs and Academic Integrity
- Approval of dissertation committees
- Statute extensions, other exceptions from ordinary procedures or degree requirements
- Appeals, such as dismissal from programs
- Oversee selection of competitive fellowships
- Investigate academic integrity violations
- Adviser to Graduate Student Organization
- Review and consult on department climate, curriculum, TATF training
- Serve on DSAS Graduate Council and represent Graduate Studies on School- or University-level committees or working groups as needed
- Leads annual assessment process
- Advise departments about structure of course offerings, new curriculum models, etc.
- Review new programs
Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, Recruiting and Belonging
- Develop and oversee mentor training, in collaboration with programs and related academic support units.
- Promote and oversee equitable and inclusive admissions practices, such as reviewing holistic admissions rubrics, recruitment material
- Organize recruiting efforts, including Hot Metal Bridge (HMB)
- Work with master’s degree programs to increase enrollment, providing advice and acting as liaison to Office of Provost, and other school- and University-wide units
- Partner with departments and other schools to develop interdisciplinary master’s degree programs
- Review and consult on department climate, curriculum, TATF training
- Assists with annual assessment process
- Serve on DSAS Graduate Council and represent Graduate Studies on School- or University-level committees or working groups as needed
- Advise departments about structure of course offerings, new curriculum models, etc.
- Review new programs
Applications, nominations, and inquiries should be directed to Maryellen Gannon at mhg19@pitt.edu. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by March 3, 2026. Nominations are highly encouraged, and nominees will be contacted about their interest and invited to apply.
Applicants should include a current CV and a brief (max 2 page, single-spaced) letter of interest that describes their relevant experience and interest in the position.
Anticipated start date is August 1, 2026.
Dietrich School Vacant Committee Positions
The Dietrich School Nominating Committee will meet in January to finalize the ballot for vacancies on all Dietrich School committees for the 2026-2027 academic year. The election will occur at the spring full faculty meeting (March 2026). At this time, we are inviting all eligible voting faculty in the school who might be interested in serving on one of these committees to submit their name to the Dean’s Office for consideration. Please make sure to include which vacancies you are interested in. All requests should be sent to Emma Wallace-Potts at ecw78@pitt.edu and should be received no later than January 30, 2026. We will verify eligibility and notify the Nominating Committee.
Note: Service on these councils or committees counts as service effort as per the DSAS workload policy.
Vacancies, terms, and Council/Committee descriptions are as follows:
Dietrich School Council
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Council oversees the Dietrich School Graduate Council, the Dietrich School Undergraduate Council, and the College of General Studies Council. Dietrich School Council also elects the Faculty Grants Committee and other committees whose work pertains to the full faculty, and acts for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences in intervals between full faculty meetings. Meetings are held monthly between September and April.
Two (2) vacancies for a 3-year term - AS only:
- 1 Social Sciences
- 1 Humanities
Dietrich School Undergraduate Council
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Council works with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and the College of General Studies regarding matters of curricula and instructional programs, degree requirements, grading regulations, and other related undergraduate academic matters in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences as the Council of initial jurisdiction. The UC shall report its actions to Dietrich School Council, and may refer any matter to Dietrich School Council for decision.
One (1) vacancy for a 1-year term (to fill a vacant seat) – T/TS faculty only:
- 1 Humanities
Two (2) vacancies for a 3-year term – AS only:
- 1 Social Sciences
- 1 Natural Sciences
Dietrich School Graduate Council
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Council shall deal with matters of curricula and instructional programs, degree requirements, admissions, grading regulations, and other related graduate academic matters in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences as the Council of initial jurisdiction.
Three (3) vacancies for a 2-year term – graduate faculty only:
- 1 Humanities
- 1 Social Sciences
- 1 Natural Sciences
Dietrich School Planning & Budget Committee
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Planning and Budgeting Committee advises the Dean regarding Dietrich School budgetary matters and planning within the University’s planning and budget framework. Meetings are held monthly between September and April
One (1) vacancy for a 3-year term – T/TS only
- 1 Humanities
One (1) vacancy for a 3-year term – AS only
- 1 Humanities
College of General Studies Council (CGSC)
The College of General Studies Council works with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and the College of General Studies in reviewing matters of curricula and instructional programs, degree and certificate requirements, and assessment and review of academic programs. The College of General Studies Council serves as the council of initial jurisdiction regarding grading regulations, policy decisions, and other academic matters in the College of General Studies. The College of General Studies Council shall report its actions to Dietrich School Council through the Associate Dean and may refer any academic matter to Dietrich School Council for decision.
One (1) vacancy for a 2-year term – T/TS or AS from among the shared CGS/Dietrich faculty positions:
- 1 Social Sciences OR Natural Sciences
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall nominate at least two faculty members to stand for election for each vacancy on the Dietrich School Council, Dietrich School-UC, Dietrich School-GC, Dietrich School-PBC, and other Dietrich School-related committees, and obtain the agreement of these candidates.
Six (6) vacancies for T/TS Faculty only:
2 vacancies for a 1-year term:
- 1 Humanities
- 1 Natural Sciences
2 vacancies for a 2-year term:
- 1 Humanities
- 1 Social Sciences
2 vacancies for a 3-year term:
- 1 Natural Sciences
- 1 Social Sciences
Three (3) vacancies for AS Faculty only:
1 vacancy for a 1-year term
- 1 Social Sciences
1 vacancy for a 2-year term
- 1 Natural Sciences
1 vacancy for a 3-year term
- 1 Humanities