Assistant Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Preference is to hire at the Associate Professor level with tenure but we will consider candidates at the advanced tenure-track Assistant Professor level. Salary and rank for position are commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Start Date: August 18 2027

The Program: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is a program within the Division of Administrative & Organizational Studies in the College of Education. We serve graduate students in our Masters of Education in Administration Education Specialist Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs. We serve a diverse student body and nearly half of our students identify as Black. Most of our students work full-time in local K-12 schools or the university community while earning their degrees. Program faculty lead and participate in the research center Detroit Partnership for Education Equity & Research (Detroit PEER).

The Wayne State University Community: Wayne State University is classified as a doctoral university: very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. We are located inMidtown Detroit the city center and one of the countrys fastest-growing neighborhoods which welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors annually. Here youll find 200 acres of green space walking paths and state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by renowned cultural institutions and industry-leading employers.

Educational Policy or Leadership Focus: We seek a scholar whose research addresses educational policy or leadership broadly defined (e.g. administrative responsibilities such as teacher and staff recruitment and retention; school improvement; leadership and organizational theories school or district policy implementation; student outcomes etc.).

Scholarly Productivity: We seek a seasoned scholar who has published extensively in educational administration and/or policy academic journals and has a clear compelling research agenda that has significance for the field (e.g. publication in influential journals and/or media outlets state- or national-level speaking engagements community-based programming with notable individual/group impact external research funding etc.).

Doctoral Advising: Applicants must have an interest in and capacity to begin advising EdD and PhD students in the first year of appointment.

Embody Program Values: Important review criteria include evidence of a commitment to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds; commitment to excellence in teaching and advising; and eagerness to embody the program theme: To prepare educational leaders who are reflective innovative professionals who will affirm and demonstrate their commitment to equitable and just education.

Application Process: All applicants must use the WSU Online Hiring System at referring to Position #3616. Electronic applications must include a cover letter; curriculum vita (CV); names and contact information for at least three references; and 2 to 3 representative publications/papers for review. The search tee will begin reviewing applications on October 1 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Applicants whose materials are submitted by October 31 2026 will guarantee full review.

Inquiries about the position may be directed to the chair of the search committee:

Dr. Sarah Winchell Lenhoff

Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Director Detroit Partnership for Education Equity & Research

Inquires about the application portal or logistics may be directed to:Lei Juan Stewart-Walker .