Employment Opportunities at USD

5113

Initially founded in 1962 as an education department within the College for Women, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) was officially established in 2005. As the second oldest academic institution at the University of San Diego (USD), the school has been shaped by a profound dedication to educational equity, which drives the mission and foundational values of SOLES and guides the school’s compassionate and strategic vision to help shape the future by educating and empowering professionals to enact academic justice, enhance human dignity and improve the quality of life of diverse individuals, families, and communities locally and globally. SOLES develops future leaders, educators, and mental health practitioners to be catalysts for change by offering unparalleled experiences and thought-provoking curricula.

The school serves graduate students across three departments and offers three doctoral programs, nine master’s degrees, teacher credential programs, five undergraduate offerings, as well as seven certicates for graduate credit. SOLES is also home to eight centers and institutes that foster an ongoing commitment to assess regional needs and devise unique solutions; the initiatives the school has established and launched offer accessibility and opportunity while also confronting the challenges faced by underserved communities in the region. SOLES also maintains municipal and global partnerships, understanding that local action combined with global collaboration has the potential to inspire signicant progress and change. Knowing that students gain the unique insight and perspectives necessary to thrive as global citizens by studying abroad, the school ensures all students fulfill an international requirement, providing a meaningful learning experience that complements the university’s liberal arts education. 

The School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego is recognized for its excellence and transformative contributions to education and leadership. A few key highlights that reflect SOLES’ unwavering commitment to equity, leadership, and community impact include:

● The only active Holmes Scholars Program in California supporting underrepresented doctoral students in education.

● Eight centers and institutes including the Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry, Center for Restorative Justice, Character Education Resource Center, The Global Center, the Jacobs Institute, the Manchester Family Child Development Center, the Nonprofit Institute, and the newly launched Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity.

● Black InGenius Initiative advancing equity and opportunity for marginalized communities through innovative leadership and collaboration.

● Johnson’s Fellows for Anti-Ablist Teaching supporting teachers in the San Diego region who wish to deepen their understanding of best teaching practices for supporting students with disabilities.

SOLES develops and prepares the next generation of skilled practitioners to use their passion and knowledge to ignite meaningful change, embrace innovation, and support inclusivity by prioritizing equity, diversity, and social justice across communities and industries. The school’s faculty are recognized and respected experts in their field, committed to pedagogical quality and advancing scholarship in justice. Student success is thanks to not just faculty but also the administrators and staff, who are equally devoted to ensuring the SOLES community receives the resources and support services needed to succeed.

In addition to WSCUC institutional accreditation, many of the school’s programs hold prestigious programmatic accreditations. The MA in Marital and Family Therapy has maintained accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) since 1992. The MA in Counseling, School Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling specializations have maintained accreditation with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) since 2007 and 2013, respectively. The School Counseling program has also been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) as a pathway for students to earn a California Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling credential. Likewise, the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with Credentials is an approved educator preparation program by the CCTC. The MEd provides pathways for candidates to earn preliminary credentials in multiple subjects, single subjects, education specialist, and/or multiple subjects with bilingual authorization.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Informed by its core mission and values and dedicated to the ongoing legacy of its founders, the University of San Diego (“USD”) is committed to confronting humanity's urgent challenges and empowering students to live fulfilling lives as responsible, global citizens. USD's community of scholars is committed to educating the whole person — intellectually, physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and culturally. The University provides a character-building education that fosters independent thought, innovation, integrity, analytical thinking, and an open-minded and collaborative worldview.

Mission: USD is a contemporary Catholic university grounded in the liberal arts and anchored along an international border, advancing academic excellence to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and hopeful world.

Vision: Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of San Diego confronts humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice, and leading with love. See more about our mission, vision, and core values here.

At a glance: Founded in 1949, USD is the youngest Catholic institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. It was recently ranked by Princeton Review as #3 in Quality of Life and #10 in Best Run Colleges. Other rankings include #4 in Promoting Public Service (Washington Monthly). The University’s stunning campus is perennially recognized as one of the most beautiful and sustainable campuses in the country. See more rankings here.

Mission-focused academics

Colleges and schools:

▪ College of Arts and Sciences

▪ Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science

▪ Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

▪ Knauss School of Business

▪ Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

▪ School of Law

▪ School of Leadership and Education Sciences

▪ The Copley Library

▪ Division of Professional and Continuing Education

The School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego seeks qualified applicants for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of associate or full professor. This position is dedicated to teaching and research at the masters and doctoral levels, with a specialization in leadership within higher education and community college settings. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background, significant administrative or research experience in community college leadership, and a commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in higher education administration. 

Key Responsibilities

● Develop and teach graduate-level courses in higher education leadership with a focus on community college administration. Courses may cover higher education topics such as 1) leadership development, 2) law, policy, and governance and policy, 3) finance and administration, 4) assessment, evaluation, and strategic planning, and 5) diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion.

● Mentor and advise graduate students on their research, providing guidance and support in developing original scholarly work relevant to community colleges and other leadership areas.

● Contribute actively to curriculum design and program enhancement, ensuring alignment with a broad representation of current research, industry trends, including creating environments to support neurodivergent students, students who experience economic oppression and other obstacles to obtaining access to higher education, and accreditation standards in higher education leadership.

● Conduct and publish high-quality research in reputable academic journals and present findings at conferences, contributing to the field's knowledge base in community college leadership and higher education administration.

● Engage in service activities within the department, school, university, and professional organizations, demonstrating leadership in academic governance, committee work, and community outreach efforts.

● Foster partnerships and collaborations with community colleges, educational associations, and stakeholders to promote applied research, professional development opportunities, and community impact initiatives.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

● An earned doctorate (PhD or EdD) in Higher Education Leadership, Educational Leadership, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

● Knowledge of and experience with community college leadership roles, including at the executive level.

● Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring graduate students at both masters and doctoral levels, with a strong commitment to innovative pedagogy, student engagement, and academic rigor.

● A record of scholarly achievement, including publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at national or international conferences, and grants focused on issues relevant to community college leadership.

● Proven leadership within academic or professional settings, including the capacity to lead conferences and symposiums, collaborate effectively, and contribute to the governance of SOLES centers or institutes focused on community college policy and practice.

● A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership and education, with experience working effectively with diverse student populations and communities, including students who identify as neurodiverse.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Experience developing and managing online or hybrid teaching formats and learning management systems.

● Experience with Universal Design for Learning, accessibility, and effective teaching practices for transforming higher education to better serve students with learning disabilities.

● Experience with trauma-informed and culturally sustaining practices in higher education.

● A record of supporting achievement in community college/and/or higher education (2-year or 4-year post-secondary). Research may be in community college and practical experience in 4-year institutions serving students from marginalized identities. 

BB Positions

$8,313-11,887; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The university offers competitive retirement benefits, tuition remission opportunities, and faculty home-buying programs. Annual professional development funding and internal grant opportunities are available to support research, grant writing, global course development, and conference travel. Candidates are expected to reside locally. Support for relocation costs is available. 

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

This is a full-time, tenured faculty position with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse academic community. We encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our mission of advancing leadership in higher education, particularly in community college settings.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.