Assistant Professor of Instruction

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 (FLDOE), 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 of Instruction position in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) is a key 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.

As a scholar-practitioner, through excellence in teaching 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. This is a 9-month position effective August 7, 2026. This is not a tenure-track position.

Responsibilities

Assistant Professors of Instruction 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, service, academic advising, and related administrative activities. They may also represent the University, College, or Department on university or statewide committees.

The position requires the ability to teach in both the master's degree program in College Student Affairs and the doctoral program in Higher Education Administration. Both master's and doctoral programs foster intellectual and professional development of individuals seeking careers in higher education or student affairs administration. The programs emphasize sound theoretical and research-based foundations combined with integrated and challenging applications to problems of practice.

These programs have a particular need for the following courses:
Policy and Legal Dimensions in Higher Education;
Governance & Finance in Higher Education;
Law and Student Affairs;
College Student Well-Being. Assistant Professors of Instruction are expected to teach four courses each semester, unless other duties are assigned. One potential duty would be to help to coordinate a new master's degree concentration in Higher Education Administration and Graduate Certificate in College Student Well-Being. ABDs will be considered. However, all degree requirements must be met by the start date:
August 7, 2026.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Higher Education, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited institution or a JD from an accredited law school
• Professional experience as a higher education or student affairs practitioner
• Evidence of successful experience collaborating with diverse communities of students, faculty, staff, and external constituents
• Experience in graduate-level teaching
• Experience in graduate program development and administration

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of effective teaching in graduate-level courses related to higher education policy and law, student affairs law, leadership, or the governance and financing of higher education
• Professional experience as a higher education or student affairs higher-level administrator
• Experience developing external partnerships and engaging with community organizations
• Experience with cross-department and cross-institutional collaboration
• Demonstrated commitment to leadership, faculty and curriculum development

Salary: Negotiable, competitive, and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Process

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.…