"Professor, Director of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs"

Job Details

Review date begins March 1, 2026: (Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee).

Final date: March 15, 2026: Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Indiana University Northwest is seeking a dynamic, innovative, and fairness-focused leader as the Director of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) with expertise in one of the SPEA areas of concentration. Preference will be given to candidates with a background in criminal justice, public administration, public health, health policy, non-profit management, or environmental policy. This position requires a leadership role in a collaborative campus environment and reports to the Dean of the College of Business and Public Affairs.

The position is a twelve-month, full-time position that will include a tenured faculty appointment in the school. The Director teaches two courses during the calendar year.

Position Summary

SPEA offers undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice, Health Services Management, and Public Affairs, as well as a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program with concentrations in Criminal Justice, Health Services Administration, and Leadership. SPEA’s graduate program is fully accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Academic programs are delivered in-person, hybrid, and online in IU Collaboratives. SPEA works closely with the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE), the campus organization committed to creating and maintaining strong ties between campus units/organizations and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, fostering a culture of academic excellence, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Steward resources in a transparent environment
• Build strategic relationships and partnerships with the public, nonprofit, and private sectors
• Develop, manage, and oversee the school’s budget, including preparation of annual budget requests, regular monitoring of revenue and expenditures, and ensuring effective allocation of resources to support academic priorities.
• Cultivate revenue-generating opportunities, including but not limited to grants & donor relationships
• Foster the development, evaluation, and retention of staff

Academic Excellence

• Ensure academic excellence of programs, lead assessment and accreditation efforts within the school
• Support high-quality teaching, research, and service
• Manage faculty personnel processes within the school, as well as oversee management of personnel issues to include recruitment, performance management, development, and advancement, in support of teaching, research, and service

Student Success

• Direct, manage, and guide NASPAA accreditation processes to ensure the continued accreditation of the MPA program
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate curriculum development, class scheduling, program evaluations, and the implementation of academic policies; ensure curricula and the program portfolio align with regional needs and strategic priorities of the institution
• Establish vision, guidance, and expectations for the enrollment management work of the unit, including but not limited to program marketing, student recruitment, and retention
• Guide and participate in student recruitment, retention, and success initiatives, including supervision of student services and support programs.

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in public administration, management or policy, criminal justice, public health, health policy, health administration, non-profit management, environmental affairs, or related fields
• A distinguished record of teaching and scholarship, sufficient for tenure at a rank of Full Professor
• Leadership and administrative experience in an academic setting
• Familiarity with the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) accreditation process
• A commitment to an educational philosophy that is student-centered and combines theory and practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Innovative, effective, academic leader with proven leadership skills
• Strong team building/collaboration, organizational, and managerial skills
• The ability to work effectively across interest groups
• Demonstrated financial acumen
• Progressive academic administrative experience
• Record of successful fundraising

Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Ellen Szarleta, Chair of the Search and Screen Committee, Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway, Gary, IN 46408, eszarlet@iu.edu

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States as of the position start date. The department is unable to sponsor visas for this position. For questions about work eligibility, the search committee can connect you with the IU Office of International Services.

Interested candidates should review and complete the online application that requires uploading curriculum vitae; letter of application; statement of teaching and research philosophy; and list of three references with contact information to include mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/32101