Employment Opportunities at USD

5115

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, Professor of Practice in Human Resource Leadership position, beginning in Fall 2025. We seek a dynamic and engaged professional with a demonstrated commitment to high-quality student-centered pedagogy and critical scholarship. This position focuses on delivering high-quality instruction in masters-level courses with a specialization in human resource management (HRM) leadership development, specifically tailored for nonprofit, PK-12, and higher education settings sectors. The ideal candidate will bring a robust combination of academic expertise and extensive practical experience in HRM and leadership development within educational environments. The candidate will work in collaboration with the department chairs, the Dean’s Office leadership team, the academic program managers and faculty to support the emerging needs and trends of our academic programs.

Key Responsibilities:

● Develop and teach masters-level courses in HR, leadership development, and other leadership courses with a strong emphasis on applications within K-12, higher education, and broader nonprofit contexts. Courses may cover topics such as strategic HRM, employee relations, diversity and inclusion, talent management, labor relations, governance, resource development, financial management, data analytics, leadership development, total rewards, and organizational development.

● Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of HR-related curriculum and leadership in educational and nonprofit settings, ensuring alignment with industry trends, best practices, and accreditation standards. In particular, the candidate will contribute to developing the MA in Leadership and the Nonprofit Leadership and Management degree and certicate programs.

● Provide academic and professional mentorship to masters and doctoral students, guiding them in their academic pursuits, career planning, and practical applications of HRM principles and leadership. Integrate inclusive practices and perspectives into teaching and mentorship to support diverse student populations.

● Foster relationships and collaborate with industry partners, professional organizations, and educational institutions to enhance program visibility, student opportunities, and industry relevance.

● Engage in scholarly activities such as research publications, conference presentations, and grant applications that contribute to the field of HRM and leadership development, focusing on educational contexts. 

Qualications:

● A doctoral degree in Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, Macro Social Work, Organizational Behavior, Organizational Sociology, or a closely related eld is required.

● Substantial professional experience (typically 10+ years) in HR leadership roles within the nonprofit sector, K-12, or higher education institutions. Experience across sectors is highly desirable.

● Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the graduate level, with a strong commitment to student-centered learning, applied practice, and interdisciplinary approaches.

● Deep understanding of HRM principles and practices, particularly as they apply to educational environments. Familiarity with legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to HR in education is essential. In addition, practice or research expertise in the area of leadership, management, or nonprofit is preferred.

● Proven leadership abilities, including the capacity to collaborate eectively, lead initiatives, and contribute to a positive and inclusive academic environment.

● Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and foster constructive dialogue. 

Preferred Qualications:

● Certication or credentials in HRM (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP) would be advantageous.

● Experience with teaching human resource-related and/or leadership courses at the graduate level.

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

BB Positions

$8,333-10,000; 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

Annual professional development funding and internal grant opportunities are available to support conference travel. Candidates are expected to reside locally. 

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.

1. Cover letter of application which includes a summary of teaching and research experiences and interests. Additionally, in their letter of application, candidates should describe previous research and/or experience supporting people from underrepresented or underserved groups and previous experience serving as faculty in doctoral programs and dissertation advising.
2. Curriculum vita.
3. A statement of teaching philosophy
4. Contact information for three professional references. 

This is a full-time, 9-month faculty position renewable every three years with a competitive salary and comprehensive benets 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 promoting equity and social justice through education and leadership.

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.