The women’s studies program at Iowa State is seeking a new department director.

The position is only open to tenured ISU faculty in liberal arts and sciences, but this isn’t expected to diminish the search.

“I have heard that there are several well-qualified people interested in the job,” said Kathleen Hickok, interim director of English.

She expects a “handful” of applicants for the position.

Applicants are not limited to the women’s studies program, but would be expected to divide their time and teach half their classes in women’s studies and half in their home department.

Likewise, the director’s salary is paid half from the women’s studies program and half from his or her home department. The director’s responsibilities include student recruitment, organizing fundraisers and grant writing.

The previous director, Jill Bystydzienski, was half-time in women’s studies and half-time in sociology. She left to be director of women’s studies at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

David Oliver, associate dean of LAS, who is heading the search committee, explained this is a position that entails lots of interaction with undergraduate students as a teacher and mentor.

“We’re looking for someone who will take what’s a successful program and help it grow to serve more people and include more people,” he said.

Hickok, who said she has been the chairwoman of women’s studies on and off for about 10 years, said she was not interested in the long-term position.

“We are hoping we will have somebody in the position by this spring,” she said.

Oliver said he hoped to have a person selected by early November, after the application deadline of mid-October.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for somebody. We have lots of people who’ve been active in the WS program. I’m hoping that a couple of them will be interested in taking on some leadership in the program,” Oliver said.