Assistant / Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Assistant / Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at its Detroit campus location.

Position Purpose:

The College of Education at Wayne State University is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track/tenured 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 Master's 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 in Midtown Detroit, the city center and one of the country's fastest-growing neighborhoods, which welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors annually. Here, you'll find 200 acres of green space, walking paths and state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by renowned cultural institutions and industry-leading employers.

Minimum Qualifications:

Earned doctorate in educational leadership, educational policy, or a related field.

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 http://jobs.wayne.edu, referring to Position #3616. Electronic applications must include a cover letter; curriculumvita (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, [email protected]

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, [email protected].

Preferred Qualifications:

ExternallyFunded Research: Weare excited about applicants who have demonstrated the ability to raiseexternal funds to support their research.

PartneredResearch: Ourprogram faculty are involved in active research partnerships with local schooldistricts and community-based organizations. We would prefer applicants who haveexperience or interest in conducting partnered, community-based, or policy orpractice-relevant research.
School/College/Division:

H02 - College of Education
Primary department:

H0252 - Administrative & Organizational Stu
Employment Type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Academic/Faculty

Funding/Salary Information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum:
• Salary hire maximum:

Working Conditions:

Normal faculty environment.
Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No