Advanced Assistant/Associate Professor, Applied Inquiry and Strategic Organizational Improvement

Job Title

Advanced Assistant/Associate Professor, Applied Inquiry and Strategic Organizational Improvement

Agency

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Department

Educational Leadership

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Corpus Christi, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

The Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi invites applications for a 9-Month, Tenure-Track position at the rank of Advanced Assistant or Associate Professor of Applied Inquiry and Strategic Organizational Improvement, beginning Fall 2027.

The Department of Educational Leadership prepares scholar-practitioners to lead improvement across educational organizations and communities. The department offers graduate programs in educational leadership, educational administration, higher education administration, and related areas, including the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

The department recently redesigned its Ed.D. curriculum to strengthen the connection among leadership practice, applied inquiry, organizational improvement, and the Dissertation in Practice. The cohort-based, hybrid program is designed for working professionals and engages doctoral students in the systematic study of problems of practice through approaches including improvement science, action research, practitioner inquiry, program evaluation, and other forms of applied research. Students develop their problems of practice and inquiry across a sequenced curriculum leading to a Dissertation in Practice intended to inform improvement within educational and community contexts. The program serves educational leaders across multiple professional settings through specialization areas in Principalship, Superintendency, Higher Education, and Public Administration.

We seek a scholar-practitioner whose teaching and scholarship center applied inquiry and organizational improvement and who can provide leadership across the doctoral inquiry and Dissertation in Practice sequence. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued implementation, assessment, and refinement of the redesigned Ed.D. and help strengthen departmental capacity to support doctoral students from initial problem identification through dissertation completion.

The primary responsibilities of this position include:

1. Teaching graduate-level courses in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and other departmental programs, particularly in improvement science, action research, practitioner inquiry, applied research, and organizational improvement.
2. Providing leadership across the Ed.D. applied inquiry and Dissertation in Practice sequence.
3. Advising and mentoring doctoral students, including chairing and serving on dissertation committees.
4. Maintaining an active research agenda appropriate to a Carnegie Research 2 institution, including scholarly dissemination and pursuit of external funding opportunities.
5. Contributing to Ed.D. curriculum implementation and assessment, student recruitment and progression, and departmental, college, university, and professional service.

The successful candidate may also serve as program coordinator of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, providing leadership for curriculum and scheduling, student progression, dissertation processes, faculty coordination, recruitment, and program assessment.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is a vibrant, Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Doctoral Research Institution that has proudly maintained a solid academic reputation, renowned faculty, and highly rated degree programs since 1947. The University has a heritage of teaching excellence with innovation in research and community engagement as part of the distinguished Texas A&M System. TAMU-CC is the only university in the nation located on its own island, at the heart of the Texas Gulf Coast. With palm tree-lined pathways throughout the campus, nearby natural wetlands, a scenic hike-and-bike trail, and pristine views of the beach and bays, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is a first-choice institution.

Required Qualifications – Advanced Assistant Professor

• Earned doctorate in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, Higher Education, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• At least two (2) years of full-time faculty experience at the rank of Assistant Professor in educational leadership or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated scholarly or professional expertise in improvement science, action research, practitioner inquiry, organizational improvement, applied research, or a closely related area.
• Experience teaching graduate-level courses in applied research, inquiry, organizational improvement, or related areas.
• Experience teaching and mentoring graduate students from varying backgrounds, including in online or hybrid learning environments, with a demonstrated commitment to supporting student success

Required Qualifications — Associate Professor

• Earned doctorate in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, Higher Education, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of full-time university faculty experience including at least four (4) years in the rank of assistant professor.
• Demonstrated scholarly or professional expertise in improvement science, action research, practitioner inquiry, organizational improvement, program evaluation, applied research, or a closely related area.
• Experience teaching graduate-level courses in applied research, inquiry, organizational improvement, or related areas.
• Experience teaching and mentoring graduate students from varying backgrounds, including in online or hybrid learning environments, with a demonstrated commitment to supporting student success

Preferred Qualifications – ALL RANKS

• Experience serving in a professional administrative or leadership role in an educational or organizational setting, with responsibilities related to organizational improvement, strategic planning, program evaluation, change management, or evidence-informed decision-making.
• Experience with graduate or doctoral program leadership, coordination, curriculum development, or program assessment.
• Familiarity with or involvement in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED).
• A record of external funding, partnerships, or practitioner-engaged improvement initiatives.

TO APPLY: https://www.tamucc.edu/human-resources/careers/index.php

All required documentation must be submitted to be considered for the position. A completed application will include:

• Cover letter identifying the rank for which you are applying (Advanced Assistant Professor or Associate Professor) and describing how you meet the listed qualifications, including your relevant expertise in applied inquiry, improvement science, action research, organizational improvement, or related areas and your experience with doctoral education and mentoring (two single-spaced pages maximum).
• A statement of research and teaching philosophy
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Copies of unofficial transcripts of graduate coursework
• A list of three (3) professional references, including names, titles, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the application deadline is open until filled.

For more information, please contact the search chair, Dr. Lynn Hemmer at lynn.hemmer@tamucc.edu.

NOTE: Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.