Director, Kent State University Press

Kent State University invites applications and nominations for the position of director of the Kent State University Press (KSUP). Following the KSUP’s recent reporting move to Kent State University Libraries, it is poised to explore new publishing models, increase its relevance to the University’s strategic priorities, and at the same time build on its publishing strengths in literary studies, American history, American Civil War, true crime, sports, and regional studies.

Kent State University seeks a leader with vision and integrity who will balance a flexible leadership style with business acumen. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of the evolving world of scholarly publishing and a willingness to explore emerging opportunities for innovation and partnership, while maintaining the scholarly rigor and commitment to advancing knowledge for which the Press is known.

Established in 1965 and admitted to the Association of American University Presses in 1970, the Kent State University Press has published over 1,300 titles, 842of which are currently in print. The KSUP currently averages 33 titles per year. It publishes 15 series, including True Crime History, Literature & Medicine, Translation Studies,Civil War Soldiers & Strategies, The Civil War Era in the South, American Abolitionism and Antislavery, Interpreting American History, Classic Sports, Reading Hemingway, Teaching Hemingway, Costume Society of America, Wick Poetry Chapbook, and Wick Poetry First Book. The KSUP also publishes two journals: Civil War History and Ohio History.Peer review and the University’s imprint are governed by an editorial board of nine faculty and the director. Books for the general reader are published under the Black Squirrel Books imprint. The KSUP has an international reputation for its publications on Hemingway, the Inklings (including Tolkien and C.S. Lewis), Ohio history, Civil War history, military history, costume design, true crime, poetry, and sports.

Kent State University Press books, authors, and staff have received numerous awards and recognitions. A few recent highlights include:

  • The Carter G. Woodson Award for Growing Season: The Life of a Migrant Community by Gary Harwood and David Hassler
  • PROSE Award for Wearable Prints, 1760–1860: History, Materials, and Mechanics by Susan W. Greene
  • The Costume Society of America’s Millia Davenport Award for Wearable Prints, 1760–1860: History, Materials, and Mechanics by Susan W. Greene
  • The Northern Ohio Live Prize for Under Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway
  • Independent Publisher Awards Gold Medal for Born to Lose: Stanley B. Hoss and the Crime Spree That Gripped a Nation by Jim Hollock.

Responsibilities

The KSUP director’s responsibilities include:

  • Manage a budget of $1 million plus.
  • Oversee a publishing operation of seven employees that includes acquisitions, editorial, designproduction, and marketing.
  • In consultation with the Dean of Libraries, create annual and long-term strategic plans for the Press.
  • Direct and steward the process of publishing 30 to 35 books per year, including managing peer review and editorial board relations.
  • Acquire and review book manuscripts, obtain reports from scholarly referees and present them to the editorial board for approval, and advise authors on development of manuscripts.
  • Negotiate contracts with authors, agents, publishers, and other outside bodies.
  • Actively promote the KSUP throughout the University, the regional cultural community, the national/internal scholarly community, and the publishing industry.
  • Work with University Libraries’ scholarly communications librarians to coordinate scholarly publishing initiatives and services in support of the University’s strategic priorities.
  • Cultivate and steward financial support and subsidies from donors, foundations, and other sources to offset publishing expenses and secure the future of the KSUP.
  • Serve on the Dean of Libraries’ executive team and provide input on annual and long-term strategic planning.
  • Attend scholarly and publishing conferences to recruit authors, increase sales, and explore partnerships.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with media, foundations, and key stakeholders around the region and nation.
  • Serve on University Libraries’ and University committees.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in English or relevant field. Master’s degree in English, Library Science, or relevant field preferred.
  • Four to five years of experience in scholarly publishing or a closely related field.
  • Knowledge of scholarly publishing, marketing, budgeting, and strategic planning.
  • Experience with acquisitions or guiding the development of scholarly titles.
  • Supervisory experience with strong interpersonal skills.
  • Strong knowledge of higher education is preferred.
  • Experience with emerging publishing models (e.g., open access, print-on-demand, enhanced e-books, etc.) and with a publisher that reports to or has strong collaboration with a university librarypreferred.
  • Ability to provide leadership. Documented track record of successful leadership preferred.
  • Experience raising money from external donors or foundations preferred.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with all components of the University and external constituents.

Kent State University

Kent State University is one of 76 public higher-research universities, as categorized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and is ranked in the first-tier list of Best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. With eight campuses spanning Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Regional Academic Center, and academic sites in major world capitals such as New York City, Geneva, and Florence, Kent State is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910. The student body comprises nearly 41,000 students, including nearly 3,000 international students from 120 countries, and the worldwide alumni family exceeds 234,000. The addition of new learning environments from the sciences to the arts and the development of exciting new academic programs such as aerospace engineering, geographic information science, and business analytics characterize Kent State’s focus on transformational educational experiences.

Undeniably, it is an exciting time to be at Kent State University. With a renewed energy and passion, the university has launched a new vision: To be a community of change agents whose collective commitment to learning sparks epic thinking, meaningful voice, and invaluable outcomes to better our society. On October 13, President Beverly Warren delivered the State of the University address, “Living the Kent State Promise,” doubling down on the aspiration to “bring the totality of the resources and reach of one of the nation’s largest research universities to higher education’s most important outcome: more college graduates who have the skills, talent, and desire to change the world—who understand that a life of meaning is just as important as a life of financial comfort.” Building on the Strategic Roadmap to a Distinctive Kent State embraced this year by the Kent State community, President Warren has set the stage for delivering upon the university priorities:

  • Priority 1: Student First. Provide an inclusive and engaged living-learning environment where all students thrive and graduate as informed citizens committed to a life of impact.
  • Priority 2: A Distinctive Kent State. Drive innovation, idea generation, and national distinction through top-tier academic and research programs including the recruitment and support of talented faculty and staff.
  • Priority 3: Global Competitiveness. Advance Kent State’s impact and reach as a leading international university.
  • Priority 4: Regional Impact. Serve as the innovative engine and engaged partner to meet community needs and enhance quality of life in the region and state.
  • Priority 5: Organizational Stewardship. Ensure a culture of continuous improvement and the efficient stewardship of university resources and infrastructure.

The City of Kent and Beyond

As a result of collaboration between the university and the city of Kent, Ohio, a total of $130 million was invested in a redevelopment plan for downtown Kent, Ohio, to bring economic growth to the city, revitalizing downtown Kent and improving the connectivity of the campus and the city. This collaboration resulted in the award of the inaugural Catalytic Partnership Award by the Greater Ohio Policy Center in 2015. Projects accomplished through this partnership include the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center; the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA) Central Gateway; new shops, restaurants, office space, and upscale apartments; the Portage County (Kent) Courthouse; and expansion of the Lester A. Lefton Esplanade, which connects the campus to the business district of Kent. Kent State University’s 824-acre Kent campus is ideally situated in Northeast Ohio. Located just six miles off I-76, the campus is easy to find and accessible from neighboring Akron-Canton and Cleveland Hopkins International airports. Northeast Ohio is home to a concentration of world-class attractions and activities that few other areas in the country can offer, including world-class museums, modern sporting venues, an extensive theatre complex, parks, fairs, festivals, shopping, and an international selection of dining options. Within driving distance are the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Northeast Ohio offers spectacular scenery, hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and biking, andboating, canoeing, sailing, swimming, and fishing in rivers, streams, and lakes—including Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes. With miles of beaches, two extensive metropark systems (Cleveland Metroparks and Summit MetroParks), the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, and the world-class Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Northeast Ohio invites visitors to explore the outdoors, get active, and have fun. Cleveland is also home to Playhouse Square, the country’s second largest theatre district, as well as Blossom Music Center, summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Porthouse Theatre, where Kent State theatre students entertain scores of Northeast Ohio audiences every summer.

The Application Process

Interested candidates should apply through the Kent State University Applicant Portal, include a letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position, curriculum vitae/resume, and names, titles, and contact information of five references. Nominations and questions can be directed to Search Committee Chair Kenneth Burhanna at .

Kent State is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. The University actively encourages applications and nominations of women, minorities and persons with disabilities and applications from candidates with diverse cultural backgrounds.