Public Administration Term Faculty Instructor or Assistant Professor (non-tenure eligible)

Overview:

The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Public Administration Program, invites applications for a full-time term (teaching) faculty position. This position is non-tenure eligible faculty at the rank of instructor or assistant professor, beginning August 16, 2025. Candidates with significant career and professional work experience within public administration, public affairs and public policy will be highly considered.

We are specifically seeking an instructor who demonstrates a profound commitment to high-quality teaching and adds to the strength and diversity of our faculty. Successful candidates will have expertise in public administration, public affairs and public policy, and have the ability to teach a variety of core graduate courses, including courses in foundations of public administration, principles of public administration, public policy analysis, and research methods. We are interested in faculty who will demonstrate through teaching, creative expression, and/or public engagement, the richness of diversity in the learning experience through integrated intersectional approaches and perspectives.

The selected candidate will complement and expand our existing expertise in the field of public administration and join a dedicated group of colleagues with a strong commitment to service and community engagement.

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School’s vision is to be the premiere resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance and economic and community development. Ranked 39th among the nation’s public affairs schools and 33rd for Public Management and Leadership, the Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu.

Position Responsibilities: 

1. Teaching

This faculty will teach within the core requirements of the graduate programs in Public Administration and may contribute to the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration and/or undergraduate courses. The faculty will be expected to carry a teaching load equivalent to eight 3-credit courses per year (4/4), involving both in-class, hybrid and online delivery, with the possibility of summer teaching. Strong candidates will demonstrate innovation and leadership in developing instructional approaches which meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.

2. Service

This faculty member will serve on program, Wilder School, and/or University committees as necessary, as well as in a professional capacity in their field.

For additional information, please visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/academic-programs/view-by-program-area/public-administration/.

Required Qualifications: 

Master’s Degree in the field of public administration, public policy, or a related field. 

Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:  

A career as a senior practitioner or a Ph.D. in public administration, public policy, or a related field (candidates with ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards completion of all requirements for their Ph.D. before the start of the appointment).

Application Process/Additional Information:

Applications should include a cover-letter, a detailed CV with the names and contact information of three references, one example of scholarship or writing, and evidence of teaching effectiveness. 

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning April 21, 2025.

“VCU is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. Under Federal and State Equal Employment Opportunity laws and VCU policy, it is prohibited to discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, family medical and genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability”. 

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Ineligible
ORP Eligible: Yes
Rank: Open
Months: 9
Department: Public Administration Master's Program, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs

Salary: $63,000 to $70,000

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Saltanat Liebert
Contact Email: sliebert@vcu.edu
Contact Phone: 804-828-1874

Salary : $63,000 - $70,000