Job Description

Title: Donald F. McHenry Visiting Professor in Diplomacy and International Affairs
Employee Classification: Visiting Professor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Politics and Government
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University seeks applications for the Donald F. McHenry Visiting Professor in Diplomacy and International Affairs. Illinois State University specifically seeks to honor the career of Ambassador McHenry, an alumnus of the university, by hiring a prominent practitioner who can teach students about diplomacy, international relations, and careers in foreign service. This position is housed in the College’s Department of Politics and Government, and the candidate selected will hold a two-year, residential faculty position to begin on August 16, 2027. Teaching responsibilities include instructing one undergraduate seminar each semester (Fall and Spring) in an area of the candidate’s expertise. The candidate selected for this position must deliver at least one public address each academic year and is expected to organize and engage in other campus and community events. The McHenry Visiting Professor will have a dedicated budget and department support for establishing and carrying out a program of events.

Illinois State University Benefits Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holidays and administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Break
- Paid benefit time (e.g., personal plus time and sick time)

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The Department of Politics and Government offers undergraduate majors in Political Science and in Legal Studies and a master’s degree in political science. We maintain 19 tenure/non-tenure track faculty members annually while serving roughly 425 majors, 120 minors, and 18 master’s degree students. We offer Political Science classes in American Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, Public Law, and Research Methodology. Legal Studies courses are geared to help students prepare for legal careers as attorneys and paralegals.

Illinois State University: IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$90,000-$120,000; commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Qualifications

1) A minimum of five years’ experience as a practitioner of diplomacy and/or international relations with two or more postings abroad
2) State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position

Preferred Qualifications

Teaching experience and a master’s degree are preferred but not required

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2027

Required Applicant Documents

Interested candidates should submit the following materials by December 4, 2026:
1) a letter indicating one’s qualifications for the job, including a description of foreign service experience and specific interests in teaching and student engagement
2) a current curriculum vitae
3) the names and contact information of three references

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

To be assured of consideration, interested candidates should apply by December 4, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. Illinois State University does not authorize out-of-state work.   

Contact Information for Applicants

If you have questions about the position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Yusaf Sarfati at ysarfat@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.