Department: Graduate College of Social Work Salary: Commensurate with experience
Description:
The Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) at the University of Houston, a Carnegie Designated Tier One Research University, invites applications and nominations for an Associate or Full Professor position with an appointment beginning September 1, 2027.
This position includes a secondary administrative role serving as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs (ADFA) that includes a stipend, course release, and other support, this will be a one-year appointment with renewal optional at the pleasure of the
dean.
Reporting directly to the Dean, the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs provides strategic leadership for faculty affairs, faculty and staff excellence, and professional development across the College. The Associate Dean works collaboratively with College leadership, faculty, staff, and University partners to strengthen the systems, practices, and resources that support faculty across the career lifecycle. Further, the Associate Dean provides leadership in faculty workload planning and management; faculty recruitment and onboarding; mentoring and professional development; promotion and tenure preparation; career advancement; and the development of initiatives that foster faculty and staff success, engagement, and excellence. In addition, the position has particular responsibility for strengthening mentorship and support structures for junior, clinical, and tenure-track faculty. The Associate Dean also partners with College leadership to advance faculty and staff onboarding and professional development initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and support the strategic priorities of the GCSW.
We are interested in a leader who will bring fresh ideas, a commitment to advancing social work education, and an interdisciplinary mindset that embraces collaboration. This is a transformative leadership role designed to elevate the entire ecosystem of the College-faculty, staff, and students-through development, mentoring, recognition, and innovative practices that align with the GCSW's bold vision for national prominence. There are also opportunities for this faculty member to collaborate with UH Health as well as other Colleges on campus.
The selected candidate will teach graduate level social work courses in the MSW and Ph.D. program while participating in meaningful service at the College, University, and professional organizations.
Successful candidates are expected to develop and maintain a dynamic, externally funded research program and strong record of high-impact scholarship (e.g., publications, presentations, etc.).
We are especially interested in applicants whose teaching, research and scholarship align with the following areas:
-Health equity/social determinants of health, Aging/Gerontological Social Work, Behavioral Health, Substance Use and Addiction Services,
-Intersections of artificial intelligence (AI), human-centered design, and the future of social work-driving transformative approaches to ethical use, practice, education, and research that advance equity and impact.
-Macro practice/Workforce expansion, social policy/advocacy, Community Innovation and Global Efforts, and leadership development
In addition to the primary responsibility of being a full-time faculty member, the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Faculty & Staff Development
o Design, curate, and oversee faculty and staff development programs that promote growth, innovation, and career advancement.
o Lead initiatives in mentoring, leadership training, and succession planning that strengthen organizational culture.
o Support promotion and tenure processes with workshops, mentoring, and resources.
o Establish structured faculty mentoring programs for tenure-track, clinical, and adjunct faculty.
o Develop leadership training initiatives to prepare faculty for administrative and academic leadership roles.
o Support cross-rank and cross-disciplinary collaborations to strengthen scholarship and teaching.
Strategic Planning & Institutional Alignment
o Partner with the Dean and other Associate Deans to align faculty and staff development with the College's strategic priorities regarding bold, and values driven leadership.
o Lead initiatives that enhance faculty contributions to the College's research, teaching, and service missions.
o Monitor and assess faculty development outcomes to ensure continuous improvement.
Student Mentoring & Leadership Development
o Develop and coordinate structured mentoring programs for MSW and PhD students to support academic success, professional growth, and leadership pathways.
o Foster a culture of excellence through programming that enhances student engagement, retention, and achievement.
Awards & Recognition
o Administer College-level awards and recognition programs for faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
o Champion initiatives that elevate the visibility of GCSW's contributions locally, nationally, and globally.
Professional Development & Strategic Growth
o Identify and implement innovative professional development opportunities aligned with emerging trends in social work education, research, and practice.
o Collaborate with College leadership to strengthen organizational effectiveness and advance the GCSW's strategic priorities.
We seek a visionary colleague to join a dynamic faculty united in advancing excellence, innovation, and student success. The successful candidate will help shape the future of our programs through engaged service, program leadership, and curriculum design-anchored in a shared commitment to teaching and transformative learning experiences that empower the next generation of social work practitioners, leaders, researchers, advocates, and healers. Therefore, we especially seek candidates (Associate/Full Professors) who can provide leadership in CSWE accreditation and advance innovative approaches to assessment that strengthen social work education.
Qualifications
Required
• Ph.D. in Social Work, DSW, or an equivalent doctoral degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Record of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications
• Show clear evidence of potential for impact in research, teaching, and community engagement
• Strong potential for securing external funding
Preferred
• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• A research agenda showing opportunities for collaboration with the other units/disciplines on campus including UH Health and other Colleges across campus.
• Leadership experience in higher education including roles as a Program Coordinator, BSW or MSW Program Director, Assistant or Associate Dean
• Experience developing and/or implementing leadership development and mentoring programs
• Demonstrated scholarly activity including publications, presentations, and invited talks
• Current funding or evidence of potential for external funding.
• Five Years of teaching experience in higher education
• Two years of post MSW social work practice experience
Salary and rank commensurate with experience.
Application Instructions
The following documents are required to submit an application:
• Letter of application that outlines how you are prepared to join the faculty at the GCSW highlighting your interests and expertise in research and teaching, and your alignment with our College mission, and other qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Leadership Philosophy that addresses your approach to faculty leadership and success, including mentorship and professional development, faculty engagement and accountability, career advancement, and supporting faculty across ranks and appointment types within a complex academic environment.
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy that addresses how you are prepared to instruct and mentor students.
• Statement of Research outlining their current scholarship, future research agenda, and potential contributions to advancing the mission of the Graduate College of Social Work.
• Information for three professional references (name, title, organization, e-mail address, phone number). Please note that references are not contacted until a candidate is identified as a finalist for this position
Review of applications will begin immediately. For priority consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit all materials by October 30, 2026. Review will continue until the position is filled.
Employees are expected to have a home address in the state of Texas for the duration of their appointments.
Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.
