Description

The University of South Florida College of Education serves a community of over 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 offers innovative teacher training and collaborative graduate programs aimed at developing 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.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 high-quality scholarly work, including publications in referred journals and presentations at professional conferences.
• Recognition as an emerging or established authority in the field of specialization, consistent with USF criteria for appointments at the rank of Associate Professor.

Preferred

• A sustained and productive record of peer-reviewed publications in competitive scholarly outlets aligned with one's research agenda.
• Successful experience teaching graduate-level courses in areas such as higher education policy and law, leadership, community colleges, or governance and finance.
• Professional experience as a higher education or student affairs practitioner.
• Evidence of grant acquisition potential or prior success in securing external funding.
• Research and/or teaching grounded in critical or transformative frameworks.
• Research expertise related to student success, persistence, equity, or organizational change.
• Experience building external partnerships and engaging with community or institutional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments, programs, or institutional units.

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. 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 #330106871 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 (bombaugh@usf.edu) or Dr. Martin Tadlock (mtadlock@usf.edu ), Co-Chairs of the Search Committee.Working at USF
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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.
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About USF
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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 .
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Compliance and Federal Notices
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This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
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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.
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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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.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
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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. POSITION : Associate Professor, Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA)

Faculty in the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning (LPLL) report to the Department Chair or an appropriate university administrator. Associate Professors are expected to contribute to the University's mission through teaching, research, service, academic advising, and related administrative activities. Faculty may also represent the University, College, or Department on college, university, and statewide committees.

This position supports the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program located on the Tampa campus. It is a 9-month 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 strong scholarly foundations, methodological rigor, and meaningful research and field experiences. The position may include coordination of the Higher Education Administration Ph.D. program.

We seek a scholar who integrates strong theoretical and methodological approaches into their research program, bridges foundational knowledge with problems of practice, and fosters the intellectual and professional development of graduate students preparing for leadership roles in higher education and student affairs. Applicants should demonstrate the ability to advance a sustained research agenda, contribute to impactful service, and develop innovative pedagogical practices aligned with the Department's commitment to promoting global awareness, cultural competence, and well-being in higher education organizations and agencies.