Sanford N. McDonnell Endowed Professor of Character Education

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Job description

The Department of Educator Preparation and Leadership invites candidates to apply for a 9-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor to serve as the Sanford N. McDonnell Endowed Professor of Character Education and Co-Director of the Center for Character and Citizenship, beginning as soon as August 15, 2026. This full-time, benefits-eligible role is housed within the College of Education.

The McDonnell Professor will lead educational programming emphasizing character education and will promote relevant initiatives through teaching, research, program development, and fundraising. The McDonnell Professorship is part of the Des Lee Collaborative Vision, a multi-university community of thirty endowed professorships across disciplines who collectively are dedicated to linking the knowledge and resources of universities with community partners through collaboration. The McDonnell Professor will also serve as Co-Director of the Center for Character and Citizenship.

The Center for Character and Citizenship (CCC), engages in research, education and advocacy to foster the development of character, democratic citizenship and civil society. Funded by grants and donations, the CCC focuses on generating and disseminating both knowledge and research pertaining to how individuals develop moral and civic character.

Qualifications

The successful applicant for this professorship will have a strong scholarly record and demonstrated success in community and school outreach. In this role they will:

  • Lead educational programming in character education and character education implementation
  • Promote relevant initiatives through teaching, research, program development, and fundraising
  • Administer endowment funds in support of the Center for Character and Citizenship, student scholarships and program activities
  • Implement and enhance the Sanford N. McDonnell Leadership Academy of Character Education in collaboration with CharacterPlus (https://www.characterplus.org/).

A competitive applicant will have an earned doctorate in education or other fields appropriate to character education. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in research, teaching, success in writing grant proposals, and a strong record of securing external funding. In addition to a strong research record, the ideal McDonnell Endowed Professor will be an active faculty member modeling excellence in teaching, service, and community engagement. The applicant should also demonstrate a record of organizational leadership, commensurate with the duties of Co-Directing the Center for Character and Citizenship. The expected instructional load will be consistent with the University of Missouri System, the University of Missouri-St. Louis policy for endowed professors, and College of Education workload policies.

Other responsibilities include:

  • Conducting and disseminating high-quality research that informs the field and improves the quality of character education in schools
  • Co-leading the Character and Citizenship Ed.D. cohorts including teaching, advising, and supervising dissertations
  • Strengthening partnerships with community institutions, school districts, and public and private schools
  • Securing external funding for new and existing program initiatives
  • Promoting character education integration through teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels, in-service professional development and/or development of instructional materials for K-12 students
  • Collaborating with other Des Lee Collaborative Vision endowed professors both within and outside the College of Education to extend and amplify UMSL’s impact within the greater St. Louis region and beyond
  • Actively promoting the synergy between the College of Education’s educational leadership preparation programs with the work of the Center for Character and Citizenship.

Other Information

The University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) is a leading urban research institution serving over 8,000 degree-seeking students. UMSL is classified as a Community Engaged University through the Carnegie Foundation. As part of a metropolitan area of almost 3 million people, UMSL’s location provides access to the vibrant cultural and educational resources of a major U.S. city including museums, theaters, symphonies, impressive parks and greenspaces, medical centers, and recreational facilities. As an anchor institution, UMSL is committed to strengthening the local community and the broader St. Louis region through meaningful engagement and service.

About the College of Education

The College of Education at UMSL is a premier institution for educator preparation in Missouri. Offering a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as over 50 state certifications, the College is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of educational leaders.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at [email protected].

UMSL is an equal access, equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that is fully committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

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How to apply

Interested candidates should apply online at www.umsl.jobs and submit:

  • A letter of interest
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • A teaching and a research statement that each incorporate prior experiences, ideas and vision for Community Engagement and Outreach
  • Contact information for three (3) references (note: references will only be contacted at the final stage)

Candidates are encouraged to describe how their experiences and expertise align with UMSL’s values, contributing to an environment that promotes student success, impactful research, and community engagement. Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file under the resume section. Only online applications will be reviewed.

For inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Allison Antink-Meyer at [email protected].