Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership

Virginia Commonwealth University   Richmond, VA   Full-time     Education
Posted on April 5, 2024
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Assistant Professor (Tenure-Eligible), Department of Educational Leadership

The Department of Educational Leadership (EDLP) in the School of Education (SOE) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is committed to preparing leaders able to influence equity, excellence, innovation, and impact in urban and other settings serving students with unmet needs. By combining innovative research, teaching and critical reflection with authentic community engaged learning experiences, the department prepares leaders who can address crucial needs in culturally rich and diverse environments. The faculty work to help students: 1) Reveal new understandings related to education and society through innovative research, and translate that knowledge into impactful practice; 2) Advocate for inclusive, equitable, and safe learning environments; and 3) Connect those who study educational leadership with practitioners and policy makers. By combining innovative research, teaching and critical reflection with authentic community engaged learning experiences, the department prepares leaders who can address critical needs in culturally rich and diverse urban and other high-need environments at multiple levels. EDLP has been named seventh in best online doctoral programs by Forbes and fifteenth in best online master's in education in administration and supervision by U.S. News and World Report.

EDLP seeks applications for the position of Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track, of Educational Leadership, with specialization in one or more of the following areas:
Organizational/non-profit/public sector leadership, especially teamwork, organizational culture change;
Comparative and/or international education;
K12 leadership (school- and system-level experience, especially budgeting/finance, and/or legal issues);
Methodological expertise in quantitative or mixed methods research in support of doctoral Capstone projects and dissertations.
This is a nine-month, tenure-eligible research and teaching faculty position scheduled to begin August 10th, 2024. The Assistant Professor will conduct innovative and impactful research, maintain a scholarly agenda through writing, publishing, presenting at conferences, and obtaining external funding to advance their research and the field; teach graduate courses in the area of specialization, work with masters and doctoral students on capstones and dissertations and supervise/mentor students as necessary; engage in service to the department, school, university, surrounding community, and national/international professional organizations; will broaden participation among members of underrepresented groups; and will demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public engagement the richness of diversity in the learning experiences and will integrate multicultural approaches and perspectives into instructional methods and research tools.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, we are UNcommon in learning, research, creativity, service, and discovery for our students, staff, faculty and community members. We create UNcommon opportunities and strive for UNmatched excellence. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It's a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work. VCU also has excellent research/grant technical support. In FY23, the SOE brought in over 40 million dollars in external research support. In 2022, VCU achieved federal Minority Serving Institution (MSI) status and was designated by the U.S. Department of Education as eligible for the federal Title III and Title V MSI and Strengthening Institutions Programs for having met rigorous standards in the service of minority students, low-income students, and student success. We believe different perspectives and areas of expertise enhance possibilities and solutions. This philosophy drives our recruitment process. We welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds who will contribute to an already diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Candidates need to have demonstrated experiences advancing access, equity, and quality education for underrepresented learners, particularly within low-resource communities. This includes a commitment to addressing diversity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and antiracist practices in education/educational leadership through teaching, service, and mentoring.

Required Qualifications:
● Earned doctorate in educational leadership or related field;
● Leadership experience in an organizational setting;
● Potential to facilitate and/or lead adult learning;
● Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment;
● Strong facilitation and problem solving skills;
● Strong and applied commitment to diversity, equity, and access as they
relate to educational leadership, policy, and systems improvement;
● Experience with innovative programming around leadership for equity;
● Leadership experience (or potential) related to or within urban settings from a
culturally responsive and antiracist lens;
● Demonstrated (or potential) leadership experience in advancing access, equity,
and quality education for learners from historically marginalized and
underrepresented minority populations living in poverty and/or the educators
that serve them; and
● Demonstrated (or potential) experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive
faculty, staff, and student environment and commitment to do so as a faculty
member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Evidence of successful teaching at the graduate level;
● Experience with master and doctoral students including advising and/or
chairing dissertations/capstones and serving on committees;
● Experience with online delivery of instruction;
● Ability to build and leverage meaningful cross-sector partnerships with local
organizations for the purpose of educating and preparing leaders who advocate
for social justice and lead communities of learning and continual improvement;
● Potential for developing programs for interdisciplinary settings;
● Expertise in one or more of the following areas: K12 leadership; leadership
development; school law; fiscal and human resource management;
educational equity; and/or education policy;
● Experiences that inform worldviews and/or perspectives about minority
group status, to include race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and
disability;
● Evidence of collaborations with research centers and institutes and/or with
community agencies; and
● Demonstrated work (e.g. practice, research, and/or scholarship) in
advancing access, equity, and quality education for learners from historically
marginalized and underrepresented minority populations living in poverty
and/or the educators that serve them.

Application Process:
To be considered for this position, application materials must be submitted online through the VCU Talent@VCU Recruitment application process (https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=vcu) and must include all of the following documents:
Cover letter of application addressing the qualifications.
Curriculum vitae.
Statement of contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Questions may be directed to Dr. Andrene Castro, Search Committee Chair at castroa2@vcu.edu. The start date for the position is August 10th, 2024.

Salary Range: $80,000-$95,000

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action University providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran's status, political affiliation or disability.

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100%
Tenure: Tenure Track
Rank: Assistant Professor
Months: 9

Salary: $80,000 - $95,000

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Dr. Andrene Castro
Contact Email: castroa2@vcu.edu