Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership (Educational Research)

Western Carolina University invites applications for a tenure-track 9-month position as Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership (Educational Research). The start date is August 1, 2025. The Educational Leadership Ed.D. program runs year-round, allowing for summer teaching opportunities for additional compensation. This role includes teaching master’s and doctoral level courses in educational research methods (e.g., improvement science, action research, qualitative and quantitative design and methods, program evaluation, and policy analysis), using online, face-to-face, and hybrid delivery instruction methods. In addition to teaching, this position will chair and serve on committees for the culminating project in the Educational Doctorate in Leadership program (disquisition). Applicants should demonstrate excellence in teaching, a record of scholarship, and service through leadership. Applicants should be willing to collaborate with faculty on program development, research, and student support. In order to support the EdD's central focus on equity and social justice work, we seek a candidate who can demonstrate the tenets of the profession in their research and practice.

Responsibilities:

(1) Teach 3 research methods courses per semester (6 per academic year) in programs such as: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Masters of School Administration, Masters of Counseling, and Masters of Higher Education Student Affairs. Additionally, there will be summer teaching responsibilities for additional compensation.

(2) Conduct research and other scholarly activities according to the department and university guidelines.

(3) Provide program, department, college, and university service. Collaborate with program director on responsibilities including curriculum, recruitment activities, reviewing student admissions applicants in both the EdD and MSA programs, and advising students. Work collaboratively with other educational leadership faculty within the MSA and EdD programs. Chair EdD Disquisitions (capstone project based in Improvement Science) and serve as a committee member on disquisitions. Perform other related duties as requested within the program, department, college, and university.

Minimum qualifications:

• PhD or EdD in research methods, educational leadership, higher education, or a related educational field (with a minimum of 18 research credits completed) earned by August 1, 2025, from an appropriately accredited institution.
• Ability to teach research methods (qualitative, quantitative, and Improvement Science) and leadership courses in multiple programs.
• Possess strong relational, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated competence in Improvement Science methods.
• Previous teaching in higher education, including online, face-to-face, and hybrid.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in teaching in a CPED(Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate) program.
• Experience assisting graduate students with conducting and disseminating research and collaborating on interdisciplinary and team curriculum development and instructional delivery.
• Evidence of-or potential for-an active research agenda and securing grants.
• Experience in administrative positions in higher education or P-12 school settings.

For questions or additional information, contact Dr. Emily Virtue, Search Committee Chair [email protected]