in 1960, he was appointed assistant professor and chair of the department of sociology at millsaps college. in 1962, he took a position at fashion institute of technology. after a brief appointment at university of texas, austin, he accepted a position at arizona state university in 1966 and taught there the remainder of his career. he established the department's doctoral program in 1972, became a full professor in 1986, and retired in 1997.