Educational Leadership - Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track)

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. 

Sacred Heart University

Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development

Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership (Tenure-Track)

Job Description:

The Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development (FCEHD) at Sacred Heart University (SHU) invites applications for two faculty positions with teaching responsibilities in educational leadership graduate programs. These tenure-track positions are offered at the assistant professor rank. Depending on the credentials of the successful candidate, a teaching track position may be considered. This is an on-ground, full-time (9-month) position starting in August 2026. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching graduate-level courses, advising students, maintaining an active research and publication agenda, and providing service to the college, university, and professional community. Candidates who hold the relevant expertise to teach across the department’s educational leadership programs are especially welcome.

The Farrington College of Education & Human Development offers a variety of educational leadership programs, including the Intermediate Administration or Supervision certification (092 endorsement) for those interested in the principalship and other school and district leadership positions, a post-master’s degree certificate of advanced study in educational leadership (Sixth Year in Educational Leadership), the Superintendent of Schools certification (093 endorsement), and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

The Doctorate of Educational Leadership program features three concentrations: Social-emotional Leadership, Higher Education Administration, and a new track centered in PreK-12 Leadership (starting Spring 2027). SHU is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), and our Ed.D. students complete a dissertation-in-practice using improvement science as the signature framework. In 2027, the Farrington College of Education & Human Development will become the host institution for CPED’s peer-reviewed journal, Impacting Education. We encourage candidates who are interested in supporting our ongoing engagement with CPED.

A successful candidate will contribute to our commitment to bridge theory and practice through critical inquiry into problems of practice. Additionally, a successful candidate will share SHU’s commitment to recognizing the dignity and worth of every human being to promote the common good of society.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in educational leadership or related field, with degree completion by August 1, 2026
• Record of educational leadership experience broadly defined (e.g., leadership within PreK-12 contexts, educational agencies, or community-based organizations) and/or aligned scholarly expertise
• Record of, or demonstrated potential for, a developed and focused research agenda, including peer-reviewed scholarly productivity with visibility at the national level
• A record of successful instructional experience at the graduate level

Preferred Qualifications:    

• Demonstrated success teaching at the graduate level as faculty of record
• Demonstrated success in developing and teaching online courses (asynchronous and/or synchronous)
• Demonstrated experience in graduate advising
• Demonstrated experience chairing and/or serving on doctoral committees
• Demonstrated experience with improvement science and/or other continuous improvement methodologies
• Successful administrative experience at the school building and/or school district level
• Experience with aligning programs to state and national standards in educational leadership, including accreditation

Application Materials

Please submit the following via our online career portal:

• Cover letter addressing the minimum and preferred qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy specific to working with graduate students and summary of relevant graduate teaching experience
  • Optional: Candidates may include a summary of recent teaching evaluations (combined into one document with the statement of teaching philosophy)
• Research statement, including research agenda and scholarly trajectory
  • Optional: Candidates may include up to three pieces of scholarship (combined into one document with the research statement)
• Names/contact information for three references (finalists will be notified before references are contacted)
• Unofficial copies of graduate transcripts (official copies will be required upon hire)

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until filled. The first round of review will begin on April 27, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.