Job description
Job Identification: 42198
Job Category: Faculty
Apply Before: 12/31/2025, 05:00 PM
Degree Level: Doctorate Degree
Locations: 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, US
Hiring Salary: Negotiable, competitive & commensurate w quals/exp
Essential Personnel: No
Job Description
The University of South Florida (USF) College of Education serves more than 2,200 students and 130 faculty members dedicated to advancing high-quality education through excellence in research, teaching, and learning. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fully approved by the Florida Department of Education, the College provides innovative teacher preparation and collaborative graduate programs that develop effective educators and educational leaders. In partnership with school districts across the Tampa Bay region, the College is committed to extending proven educational initiatives and exploring new approaches to preparing lifelong learners. Whether pursuing initial teaching certification or advancing professional development through graduate studies, the College provides comprehensive resources and support to help students achieve their educational and career goals.
The Assistant Professor position in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) is a key tenure-earning faculty role within the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning (LPLL). This position supports the College of Education’s commitment to preparing highly qualified scholar-practitioners through the M.Ed. in College Student Affairs and the Ph.D. in Higher Education programs. The successful candidate will contribute to a nationally recognized program dedicated to advancing research, developing innovative learning experiences, and cultivating leaders equipped to address the evolving challenges of higher education. Through excellence in teaching, a sustained research agenda, and meaningful service, the faculty member will help strengthen the department’s mission to promote equity, student success, and evidence-based practice across various educational settings.
Responsibilities
POSITION: Assistant Professor, Leadership, Policy and Lifelong Learning (LPLL)
Assistant Professors in the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning (LPLL) report to the Department Chair or an appropriate university administrator. Faculty in this role engage in teaching, research, service, academic advising, and related administrative activities. They may also represent the University, College, or Department on university or statewide committees.
This Assistant Professor position supports the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program on the Tampa Campus. This is a 9-month tenure-earning appointment effective August 7, 2026, with a typical teaching load of four courses during the academic year. The successful candidate will teach in both the master’s program in College Student Affairs and the doctoral program in Higher Education Administration, providing students with a strong academic foundation complemented by quality research and field experiences in their areas of expertise. This position will participate in program development, contribute to accreditation/assessment efforts, and support graduate students through their academic programs.
We seek applicants who integrate sound theoretical and methodological approaches into their scholarly agenda, connect foundational concepts to problems of practice, and foster the intellectual and professional growth of students pursuing or advancing careers in higher education and student affairs administration. Candidates should be prepared to develop a research program, service contributions, and teaching innovations that align with the Department’s aim to promote global awareness, cultural competence, and well-being across educational organizations and agencies. This position has the potential to be supported with internal grant opportunities, research offices, and/or start-up assistance.
Qualifications
Required
- Doctoral degree in Higher Education, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
- Demonstrated record of achievement in teaching, academic research, and service.
- Evidence of potential to develop a focused, sustained research agenda in higher education or a related field.
- Evidence of successful experience collaborating with diverse communities of students, faculty, staff, and external constituents.
- Must meet university criteria for appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor.
Preferred
- A record of consistent research publications in competitive, peer-reviewed journals and/or presentations and conferences aligned with one’s emerging research agenda.
- Evidence of effective teaching in graduate-level courses related to higher education policy and law, leadership, community colleges, or the governance and financing of higher education.
- Professional experience as a higher education or student affairs practitioner.
- Demonstrated potential or experience securing external grants.
- Research and/or teaching expertise grounded in critical frameworks.
- Research expertise related to student success, persistence, or equity in higher education.
- Experience developing external partnerships and engaging with community organizations.
- Experience with cross-department collaboration.
Salary
Negotiable, competitive, and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF’s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
How to apply
Applications should include a letter describing qualifications for the position in each of the above areas, current vita, unofficial university transcripts, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references. All required documents must be uploaded in one attachment. Position finalists will be required to provide official university transcripts and letters of recommendation from professional references. Letters from references are not required at the time of application. References will not be contacted until the advanced stages of screening, and candidates will receive prior notification.
Please specify Position #330106872 on all submitted documents. Applications must be submitted electronically to https://jobs.usf.edu/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/USF/.
Full consideration will be given to complete applications received by 5:00 PM EST on Dec. 31, 2025. For more information about the position or application, please contact Dr. Michelle Bombaugh ([email protected]) or Dr. Martin Tadlock ([email protected]), Co-Chairs of the Search Committee.
