Assistant Professor - Educational Leadership

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach graduate courses in Educational Leadership across all campus locations and instructional modalities, including online, hybrid, and in-person formats, according to program needs and the candidate’s areas of expertise.
• Teach courses related to educational leadership, school administration, organizational leadership, school culture and climate, instructional leadership, supervision and evaluation, school improvement, educational policy, ethics, and other areas represented within the Educational Leadership curriculum.
• Teach and/or support courses associated with the preparation and supervision of candidates completing administrative internships and other clinical experiences.
• Maintain an active program of scholarship appropriate to a tenure-track faculty appointment, including peer reviewed publications, professional presentations, and other scholarly or professional contributions.
• Advise and mentor graduate candidates and support candidates as they progress through academic, clinical, licensure, endorsement, and professional requirements.
• Participate in curriculum development, program assessment, accreditation, state approval, licensure, and continuous program improvement.
• Contribute to program, department, college, university, and professional service.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of field-based and clinical experiences for educational leadership candidates.
• Collaborate with faculty, school districts, educational organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen leadership preparation and professional learning opportunities.
• Support and strengthen partnerships with PK–12 schools and school districts throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, including both Chicago and suburban districts.
• Contribute to recruitment, retention, and support initiatives for Educational Leadership candidates.
• Participate actively in shared governance and the collaborative work of the Educational Leadership Program and the Department of Literacy, Leadership, Development and Special Education.
• Pursue opportunities for external funding, grants, partnerships, and other initiatives that advance the mission and priorities of the Educational Leadership Program and the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education.
• Contribute to initiatives that promote equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for students in diverse PK–12 settings.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• An earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. ABD candidates will be considered provided all requirements for the doctoral degree will be completed and the degree awarded no later than August 1, 2027.
• At least three years of successful experience as a principal in an elementary, middle, and/or secondary school setting.
• An Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Principal Endorsement or General Administrative Endorsement (formerly Illinois Type 75), or eligibility for the appropriate Illinois administrative credential.
• PERA certification to evaluate PK–12 teachers.
• Eligibility to teach and/or supervise administrative internship experiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary educational leadership practices and current research related to PK–12 schools.
• Demonstrated commitment to effective teaching, scholarship, and service within a diverse urban university environment.
• Evidence of the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with candidates, faculty, school professionals, families, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.

Preference will be given to candidates demonstrating one or more of the following:

• Professional experience as a school superintendent, assistant superintendent, or other PK–12 district-level educational leader.
• Experience preparing, supervising, mentoring, coaching, or evaluating aspiring educational leaders.
• Higher education teaching experience, particularly in graduate educational leadership, principal preparation, or educator preparation programs.
• Experience overseeing Special Education programming at the district level.
• Experience teaching or mentoring candidates completing administrative internships and other clinical leadership experiences.
• Experience with school improvement planning, strategic planning, instructional leadership, organizational change, or systems-level improvement.
• Expertise in school culture and climate, equity and inclusion, student success, educator development, organizational leadership, or related areas of educational leadership.
• Experience developing or revising university curricula, academic programs, endorsements, certificates, or educator preparation pathways.
• Experience with accreditation, state program approval, licensure review, or continuous improvement processes, particularly those involving the Illinois State Board of Education or CAEP.
• Experience using candidate, program, or outcome data for program evaluation, accreditation reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Experience establishing and sustaining partnerships among universities, schools, school districts, professional organizations, and community agencies.
• Experience securing or participating in externally funded grants or sponsored projects.
• Evidence of successful scholarly activity, including peer-reviewed publications and professional conference presentations.
• Demonstrated potential for leadership within university-based educational leadership programs.