"Assistant Professor - PADM"

Job Details

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs

Department: Public Administration

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for a 9-month tenure-eligible Assistant Professor in Public Administration to begin August 16, 2026. The Wilder School MPA program is nationally recognized for its commitment to social equity in teaching, research, and service.

Successful candidates will join an interdisciplinary group of colleagues whose focus reflects the core areas in the Wilder School (criminal justice, homeland security and emergency preparedness, public administration, public policy and urban and regional studies and planning) and who work to foster improved community and government relations that promote safe, economically viable and engaged communities. The Wilder School is committed to sustainability, justice, resiliency and equity in government. We seek applicants who will contribute to the strength of our faculty who will complement and expand existing School expertise.

All candidates should show a commitment to high-quality instruction at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. Evidence of scholarly productivity and a Ph.D. in a related discipline is expected (ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards degree completion and the completion of all requirements for the PhD degree before the start of the appointment).

We encourage applicants with diverse interests and areas of expertise to broadly address the field of public administration, specifically in Local Government and/or Non-Profit Management. The Wilder School seeks a dynamic scholar and educator dedicated to teaching, research, and service in this field.

The normal teaching load is 2:2 and involves both in-class and online delivery. The faculty will demonstrate leadership in developing techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.

For additional information, please visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/academic-programs/view-by-program-area/public-administration/.

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.
• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Teaching

• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in local government administration, non-profit management, public policy, and related areas.
• Develop and deliver innovative courses that incorporate real-world examples and address current challenges in the field.
• Mentor and advise students on academic and career pathways in local government and/or non-profit sectors.
• Supervise student research, internships, and capstone projects.

2. Research and Scholarship

• Maintain an active research agenda focused on issues relevant to local government and/or non-profit organizations.
• Publish scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals and present at professional conferences.
• Seek external funding (grants, contracts) to support research and educational initiatives.
• Actively engage with the local community through applied research and evaluation projects for governmental and non-profit clients.

3. Service

• Participate in program, college, and university committees and activities.
• Engage with relevant professional organizations and contribute to the advancement of the field.
• Provide service to local government agencies and non-profit organizations through consulting, workshops, or board memberships.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in Public Administration or Public Policy, Political Science, Public Affairs, or a closely related field (candidates with ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards degree completion and the completion of all requirements for the PhD degree before the start of the appointment).
• Evidence of expertise in local government and/or non-profit management.
• A strong record of teaching excellence at the university level.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a practitioner in a local government agency or non-profit organization.
• Experience in developing and teaching online courses.
• A track record of successful grant writing and securing external funding.

Application Process/Additional Information:

Applications must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, one example of scholarship or writing, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled, with priority review beginning November 10, 2025.

Contact: Anthony Starke, Search Chair

Email: starkeam@vcu.edu

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.