COLLEGE: College of Education

DEPARTMENT: Doctorate in Educational Leadership

POSITION TITLE: Tenure-Track/Tenured Faculty - Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program Director

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Sacramento State is seeking applications for a visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership program. The Ed.D. program at Sacramento State leverages multidisciplinary expertise to develop doctoral students who connect theory to practice across our three program areas — leadership, policy, and research methods — while rigorously engaging equity as a cross-cutting analytical lens. We develop leaders who use inquiry, critical policy analysis, and evidence-based decision-making to transform educational institutions to better serve students. This innovative evening and weekend program allows around 60 students across three cohorts to complete their degree in nine semesters over three years, with specialization available in a TK-12 or community college.

Sacramento State, recently designated as a Carnegie R2 institution, invites applications from individuals interested in joining our dynamic and growing faculty. The proximity of Sacramento State to the California legislature and other state and federal agencies provides unparalleled opportunities for faculty and students to engage in public service through policy research, internships, and employment. The Ed.D. also collaborates with the Public Policy and Administration (PPA) program.

At Sacramento State, the quality of the education we provide is our top priority. In addition to contributing positively to teaching and learning, faculty members are expected to engage in research, publish, and provide service to the University and to the greater community. Our campus community represents the diversity of our state, and we believe that all are enriched and unified by this diversity. Ed.D. students are working professionals — school and district administrators, community college leaders, and educational policy practitioners — who pursue the degree while employed full time. The Ed.D. is accredited as an in-person program with classes on Friday nights and Saturdays. We seek a Program Director who collaborates with faculty to provide a strategic vision for the program, including assessment, accreditation, external partnerships, and resource development.

POSITION DETAILS:

The Director appointment is a full-time, 12-month position in the College of Education, combining a continuing tenured or tenure-track faculty appointment in the Independent Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EDD), a Special Program Area Group within Graduate and Professional Studies in Education, with appointment as Director of the Ed.D. program. The Director serves an initial three-year term. Prior to the end of each term, the Ed.D. faculty reviews the Director's service and votes on a recommendation regarding renewal, which is forwarded through the Dean of the College of Education to the President, who makes the appointment decision in accordance with University policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The underlying faculty appointment continues and is not contingent on service as Director. The Director reports to the Dean of the College of Education.

The anticipated starting date is July 1, 2027, but a different starting date is negotiable, provided it is no later than August 1, 2027.

The rank will be at the Associate Professor or Full Professor level commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Tenure will be considered for applicants with applicable experience.

JOB DUTIES:

The Director's responsibilities, carried out in consultation with program faculty consistent with the program's principles of faculty governance, include: program recruiting and admissions; budget development and oversight; scheduling classes and instructor assignments; conducting regular faculty meetings; service on program committees; managing the Ed.D. Office and day-to-day program administrative tasks; and ensuring that the provisions of the Ed.D. Faculty Handbook are followed.

As a faculty member, the Director is expected to teach at least one Ed.D. course per year and chair at least one dissertation per year, while meeting all other Ed.D. faculty responsibilities — including maintaining an active research and publication agenda, advising and mentoring doctoral students, and providing service to the program, the University, and the broader educational community.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Have a doctoral degree in educational leadership, educational policy, educational administration, or a related field;
• Be tenured or hold or have held a faculty or academic-administrative appointment at a college or university;
• Show evidence of successful teaching as demonstrated through teaching statement, course evaluations, and other relevant material;
• Have a record of scholarship in the areas of educational leadership and/or educational policy and administration commensurate with career stage or position;
• Demonstrate effective leadership, interpersonal communication, and a record of shared governance — for example, service on or chairing departmental, college, or university committees; work with academic senates; participation in program review, curriculum approval, or accreditation processes; or collaboration with collective bargaining representatives;
• Demonstrate experience with developing and managing budgets;
• Demonstrate record of or skills to fundraise and engage multiple stakeholders to advance the program;
• Show evidence of effective recruiting and advising of graduate students, including chairing theses or dissertations at the graduate level;
• Demonstrate commitment to diversity, social justice, equity, and working effectively on a multicultural campus; and,
• Demonstrate ability to lead strategic planning, use data to guide program improvement, and adapt to changing conditions in higher education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrate managerial and leadership skills to recruit, support, retain, and develop diverse students and facultyacross the range of backgrounds our program serves — including first-generation college graduates, students from socioeconomically diverse and immigrant-origin communities, multilingual students, and leaders working in urban, suburban, and rural districts;
• Have substantial leadership and administrative experience in TK-12 or community college/higher education;
• Have administrative experience that includes staff supervision, faculty collaboration, and policy implementation;
• Demonstrate experience leading, teaching in, or designing programs serving working professionals or adult learners;
• Show proven understanding of and experience with the educational policy context within the state of California; and,
• Demonstrate experience building partnerships with school districts, community colleges, and other external organizations.

APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply, please submit the following through Sacramento State's recruitment system (PageUp).  Application review will begin on December 1, 2026:

1. A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position, including statements of teaching and leadership philosophy, approach, and experience.
2. A current curriculum vitae
3. A diversity statement (maximum two pages) describing your experience and demonstrated effectiveness in working with diverse students, faculty, and communities, and how that experience would inform your leadership of this program. Please describe specific actions you have taken and their outcomes.
4. Two recent publications, uploaded as a SINGLE PDF file under "Portfolio".
5. Unofficial transcripts showing the highest degree earned. Candidates selected for a campus visit will be asked to provide official transcripts before the visit.
6. Names and contact information for three recent professional references. References will not be contacted without advance notice to the candidate. 

The search chair is Dr. Frank Adamson, Interim Director of the Ed.D. program, who was elected by the Ed.D. faculty search committee and is not applying for this position. Questions about the position or the search process may be directed to the search chair at adamson@csus.edu.

OTHER SPECIFICS ABOUT THE POSITION:

This position will be appointed at a 12-month faculty classification (CSU Bargaining Unit job code: 2361) with anticipated salary range of $94,188-$130,152 annually. 

About Sacramento State

Sacramento State is located in the heart of California's capital city, five miles from the State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre park-like campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the "Farm-to-Fork Capital," is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million.

Sacramento State proudly serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and Black-Serving Institution (BSI). The university enrolls around 31,000 students from the Greater Sacramento Region, throughout California, across the nation, and around the world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:

“As California's capital university, Sacramento State transforms lives by preparing all students to lead, serve, and succeed. We are committed to our designations as a Hispanic Serving Institution, an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, and a Black Serving Institution, and to intentionally serving students reflective of these designations and all students who have been historically underserved in education.”

As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning.

To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.

Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.

It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/benefits/reasonable-accomodation.html.

The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visit https://www.csus.edu/people-climate/human-resources/learning-development/support/csu-learn.html.  

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery . 

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at clery@csus.edu.

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Background Check Disclaimer

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before a formal offer of employment is extended.  Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct. (eff. June 2026)

Out of State Employment

Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.

Eligibility Verification

Candidate will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest degree earned and must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.. California State University, Sacramento is not a sponsoring agent for non-tenure track (temporary/lecturer) faculty for H1-B Visa.

California State University, Sacramento is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.