Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Assistant/Associate Professor of Higher and Postsecondary Education

Posting Summary:

The Program in Higher and Postsecondary Education (HPSE) at Teachers College, Columbia University, invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, beginning September 2026. We seek a scholar with a demonstrated or emerging record of excellence in empirical research, teaching, and service in higher education.

We seek a scholar who addresses critical issues facing higher education today and whose expertise will contribute to both the intellectual vitality and strategic direction of the HPSE. We are especially interested in candidates whose work explores the evolving roles of colleges and universities within broader organizational, societal, political, and policy contexts.

Strategic Opportunity and Program Vision

This faculty appointment presents a significant opportunity to strengthen the strategic direction and institutional capacity of the HPSE Program.

In particular, we seek a colleague who can:
● Help expand the program’s capacity to secure external research funding and develop entrepreneurial initiatives
● Contribute to the design and delivery of innovative professional learning opportunities that respond to contemporary challenges in higher education leadership
● Support the development of new specializations—such as university administration with a focus on regulatory compliance, data analysis, and policy—that reflect growing market demands and the evolving needs of students
● Potentially assume the role of Program Director (once tenured), enabling shared leadership and expanded strategic vision
● Potentially collaborate with colleagues to lead the re-establishment of the Institute of Higher Education at Teachers College as a central hub for research, interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and public scholarship in higher education

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The individual hired will play a central role in helping to expand the program’s reach, relevance, and impact in alignment with emerging trends in the field of higher education. This appointment is especially well suited for a scholar with both an entrepreneurial mindset and a collaborative spirit, who can contribute to program growth, visibility, and innovation, while strengthening TC’s position as a national leader in the study of higher and postsecondary education.

We welcome applicants from a range of disciplinary perspectives and methodological orientations. Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:

1. Governance, Leadership, and Strategy
● Governance and decision-making in higher education systems
● Leadership across the P–20 continuum
● Institutional transformation and innovation (e.g., post-pandemic change, technology integration, strategic planning)
● Public trust, accountability, and the changing social contract of higher education
● Globalization and internationalization of higher education
● Strategic partnerships and inter-institutional collaboration

2. Policy, Compliance, and Finance
● Regulatory compliance
● Policy analysis
● Finance and resource allocation in higher education institutions
● Accreditation and quality assurance
● State and federal policy impacts on higher education

3. Access, Opportunity and Outcomes
● Root causes of differential outcomes
● College affordability
● How social and organizational systems shape opportunity

4. Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Affairs
● Teaching and learning
● Faculty development and academic labor (e.g., contingent faculty, shared governance, academic freedom)
● Curriculum development and assessment
● Instructional innovation and educational technology

5. Student Success and Workforce Alignment
● Student success and retention across different institutional contexts
● Workforce development and career pathways in relation to higher education outcomes
● Academic advising, student support services, and co-curricular learning

6. Research, Data, and Decision-Making
● Data-informed decision-making
● Institutional research and assessment
● Learning analytics and predictive modeling

For example, the successful candidate could contribute to the development of a new specialization in university administration, with emphasis on regulatory compliance, data analysis, and higher education policy—areas of growing importance across the sector. Such an initiative would respond directly to current market trends and the evolving needs of prospective students, while drawing on HPSE’s established strengths in leadership, policy, and institutional structures.

About Teachers College and the Department of Organization & Leadership

Teachers College, Columbia University, empowers committed learners and leaders to build a smarter, healthier, more just, and equitable world through multidisciplinary research, policy engagement, and innovative practice across the fields of education, psychology, and health. Founded on the belief that education alone cannot resolve societal inequities, TC has long integrated expertise in physical and mental health, leadership, and community development to advance human potential and social well-being.

As the nation’s first and largest graduate school of education, TC remains committed to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges through a unique blend of disciplinary rigor and cross-sector collaboration. With more than 100 graduate programs, our faculty and students investigate and apply solutions to critical issues—from educational opportunity and mental health to organizational change and public policy.

At the heart of this mission, the Department of Organization & Leadership prepares transformational leaders, researchers, and practitioners to drive equity and innovation across a wide range of organizational contexts. Home to nationally recognized programs—including Adult Learning and Leadership, Education Leadership, HPSE, and Social-Organizational Psychology—the Department fosters scholarship that bridges theory and practice, and leadership that is both ethical and socially responsible.

Drawing on the College’s deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, the Department positions its students to engage with complex challenges through the lenses of equity, learning, and organizational development. With more than 30 full-time faculty members, the Department supports graduate students from varied, multiple range of personal and professional backgrounds preparing them to lead educational, corporate, nonprofit, and public sector institutions in service of the common good.

About the Higher and Postsecondary Education Program

HPSE prepares scholar-practitioners, researchers, and leaders committed to advancing equity, excellence, and innovation across different postsecondary contexts. Grounded in a deep commitment to access, inclusion, and success the program develops expertise in key areas such as student learning and development, faculty and instructional support, organizational leadership, assessment, and civic and community engagement.

HPSE students are trained to understand and shape complex higher education systems in ways that support communities facing structural barriers and promote high-impact, student-centered practices. Through rigorous academic preparation and real-world application, graduates of the program are equipped to lead transformative change in colleges, universities, policy organizations, state systems, non-profits, and beyond. Our alumni consistently secure tenure-line faculty positions and senior leadership roles at a wide range of colleges and universities across the higher education landscape.

A unique strength of the program lies in its connection to the broader intellectual ecosystem of TC. Faculty across disciplines—including Economics, Sociology, History, Policy Studies, and Psychology—engage in cutting-edge research and teaching that critically inform higher education as a field of study and practice. This interdisciplinary foundation fosters a rich environment for collaboration, allowing exploration of higher education’s challenges and opportunities from multiple perspectives.

Located in the heart of New York City, TC offers unparalleled access to one of the world’s most dynamic urban centers for education, culture, and public engagement. This provides a uniquely rich environment for interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural innovation, and meaningful partnerships with diverse local and global communities. HPSE has consistently been recognized as one of the nation’s leading programs—and serves as an integral contributor to TC’s top U.S. News ranking, bolstered by strong research funding, outstanding faculty resources, and national peer recognition. The HPSE program benefits from close collaboration with the nationally renowned Community College Research Center (CCRC) and from a rich network of higher education scholars across TC, creating a dynamic ecosystem where policy, practice, and research intersect to advance our work. Together, HPSE and TC provide a distinctive and dynamic platform for those seeking to shape the future of higher education through research, leadership, and service.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will:

• Maintain a strong program of empirical research with potential for national impact
• Teach and develop graduate-level courses
• Advise and mentor master’s and doctoral students
• Supervise doctoral dissertations
• Engage in collaborative program administration and curriculum development
• Contribute to professional development activities for higher education practitioners
• Participate in departmental and institutional initiatives

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in higher education or a closely related social science or policy field by the time of appointment
• Record or promise of scholarly productivity and potential for securing external research funding
• Demonstrated or potential excellence in graduate-level teaching and student mentorship
• Commitment to academic program development, leadership, and public engagement
• Candidates at the Associate Professor level (with tenure) should be prepared to assume program leadership responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest or experience in supporting practitioner development in higher education contexts

Salary Range:

$108,000 - $151,000

Work Modality:

Faculty

Application Instructions

1. A cover letter detailing your research, teaching, and service interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Three scholarly writing samples (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, or conference papers)
4. Three letters of recommendation

Any questions can be directed to Professor Noah D. Drezner, Search Committee Chair at higheredsearch@tc.columbia.edu

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin Monday, October 20, 2025, and will continue until the search is completed.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting.  Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate considered alongside institutional comparisons.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).