Description

Wilder School Faculty Hiring Advertisement 2025-2026

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for three (3) full-time 9-month faculty positions beginning August 16, 2026.  The positions include:

1.       Instructor or Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice (non-tenure eligible term faculty)

2.       Assistant Professor in Public Administration (tenure-eligible faculty)

3.       Instructor or Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Studies/Planning (non-tenure eligible term faculty) 

Successful candidates will join an interdisciplinary group of colleagues whose focus reflects the core areas in the Wilder School (criminal justice, homeland security and emergency preparedness, public administration, public policy and urban and regional studies and planning) and who work to foster improved community and government relations that promote safe, economically viable and engaged communities. The Wilder School is committed to sustainability, justice, resiliency and equity in government. We seek applicants who will contribute to the strength of our faculty who will complement and expand existing School expertise.

All candidates should show a commitment to high-quality instruction at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. For the criminal justice and urban and regional studies and planning positions, evidence of significant career and professional work experience, as well as demonstrated teaching effectiveness, are required. For the public administration position, evidence of scholarly productivity and a Ph.D. in a related discipline is expected (ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards degree completion and the completion of all requirements for the PhD degree before the start of the appointment).

Applications must be submitted online through the VCU Career Site. 

Applicants must indicate the position(s) for which they are applying.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled, with priority review beginning November 10, 2025.

For all positions, demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU is required.

The Wilder School’s mission is to: 

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.
• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu.

(1). Criminal Justice Term Faculty Instructor or Assistant Professor (non-tenure eligible) 

The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Criminal Justice program, invites applications for a full-time 9-month term (teaching) faculty position. This position is non-tenure eligible faculty at the rank of instructor or assistant professor, beginning August 16, 2026. Candidates with significant career and professional work experience within the criminal justice system will be highly considered. 

We are specifically seeking an instructor who demonstrates a profound commitment to high-quality teaching and adds to the strength and diversity of our faculty. Successful candidates will have expertise in criminal justice and criminology, and have the ability to teach a variety of core undergraduate and graduate courses, including courts/sentencing and corrections courses. We are interested in faculty who will demonstrate through teaching, creative expression, and/or public engagement, the richness of diversity in the learning experience through integrated intersectional approaches and perspectives. The selected candidate will complement and expand our existing expertise in the field of criminal justice and join a dedicated group of colleagues with a strong commitment to service and community engagement. 

For additional information, please visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/programs/criminal-justice/.

Position Responsibilities: 

1.  Teaching 

This faculty will teach within the core requirements of the graduate and undergraduate programs in Criminal Justice and may contribute to the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. The faculty will be expected to carry a teaching load equivalent to eight 3-credit courses per year (4/4), involving both in-class, hybrid and online delivery, with the possibility of summer teaching. Strong candidates will demonstrate innovation and leadership in developing instructional approaches which meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests. 

2.  Service 

Faculty member may serve on program, School, and/or University committees as necessary, as well as in a professional capacity in their field.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in the field of criminal justice, criminology, or a related field, plus 5 or more years of professional criminal justice experience. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

A career as a senior practitioner or a Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, or a related field (candidates with ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards completion of all requirements for their Ph.D. before the start of the appointment). 

Experience teaching criminal justice courses at the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Application Process/Additional Information: 

Applications must include a cover-letter, a detailed CV with the names and contact information of three references and evidence of teaching effectiveness. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning November 10, 2025.  

Contact: Dr. Amy Cook, Search Chair

Email: cookak@vcu.edu 

To apply for this position (Requisition # 45000704), please click here. 

(2). Public Administration Tenure Track Faculty Assistant Professor 

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for a 9-month tenure-eligible Assistant Professor in the Public Administration program to begin August 16, 2026. The MPA program is nationally recognized for its commitment to social equity in teaching, research, and service. 

We encourage applicants with diverse interests and areas of expertise to broadly address the field of public administration, specifically in Local Government and/or Non-Profit Management. The Wilder School seeks a dynamic scholar and educator dedicated to teaching, research, and service in this field. 

The normal teaching load is 2:2 and involves both in-class and online delivery.  The faculty will demonstrate leadership in developing techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.   

For additional information, please visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/academic-programs/view-by-program-area/public-administration/.

Position Responsibilities: 

1. Teaching 

•  Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in local government administration, non-profit management, public policy, and related areas.
•  Develop and deliver innovative courses that incorporate real-world examples and address current challenges in the field.
•  Mentor and advise students on academic and career pathways in local government and/or non-profit sectors.
•  Supervise student research, internships, and capstone projects.

 2. Research and Scholarship 

•   Maintain an active research agenda focused on issues relevant to local government and/or non-profit organizations.
•   Publish scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals and present at professional conferences.
•   Seek external funding (grants, contracts) to support research and educational initiatives.
•   Actively engage with the local community through applied research and evaluation projects for governmental and non-profit clients.

3. Service 

•   Participate in program, college, and university committees and activities.
•   Engage with relevant professional organizations and contribute to the advancement of the field.
•   Provide service to local government agencies and non-profit organizations through consulting, workshops, or board memberships.

Required Qualifications: 

•   A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in Public Administration or Public Policy, Political Science, Public Affairs, or a closely related field     (candidates with ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards degree completion and the completion of all   requirements for the PhD degree before the start of the appointment).
•   Evidence of expertise in local government and/or non-profit management.
•   A strong record of teaching excellence at the university level.

 Preferred Qualifications: 

•   Experience as a practitioner in a local government agency or non-profit organization.
•   Experience in developing and teaching online courses.
•   A track record of successful grant writing and securing external funding.

Application Process/Additional Information: 

Applications must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, one example of scholarship or writing, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning November 10, 2025.  

Contact: Dr. Anthony Starke, Search Chair

Email: starkeam@vcu.edu 

To apply for this position (Requisition # 45000710), please click here. 

(3). Urban and Regional Studies/Planning Term Faculty Instructor or Assistant Professor (non-tenure eligible)  

The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Urban/Regional Studies and Planning program, invites applications for a full-time 9-month term (teaching) faculty position. This position is non-tenure eligible faculty at the rank of instructor or assistant professor, beginning August 16, 2026. Candidates with significant career and professional work experience in urban and regional planning will be highly considered.  

We are specifically seeking an instructor who demonstrates a profound commitment to high-quality teaching and adds to the strength and diversity of our faculty. Successful candidates will have expertise in urban and regional planning, and have demonstrated ability to teach a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses, including general planning and land use, project-based studios, and additional courses in subject-matter areas such as housing, community economic development, or transportation.  

We are interested in faculty who will demonstrate through teaching, creative expression, and/or public engagement, the richness of diversity in the learning experience through integrated intersectional approaches and perspectives.

The selected candidate will complement and expand our existing expertise in the field of Urban/Regional Studies and Planning and join a dedicated group of colleagues with a strong commitment to service and community engagement. 

For additional information, please visit: https://wilder.vcu.edu/academic-programs/view-by-program-area/urban-and-regional-studiesplanning/. 

Position Responsibilities: 

1. Teaching  

This faculty member will teach courses in the graduate and undergraduate programs in Urban/Regional Studies and Planning. The faculty member will be expected to carry a teaching load equivalent to eight 3-credit courses per academic year (4:4), involving a combination of in-class, hybrid and online delivery, and student mentorship. Strong candidates will demonstrate experience integrating practical planning with innovative, engaging approaches to teaching that meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.  

2. Service 

This faculty member will serve on program, Wilder School, and/or University committees as necessary, as well as in a professional capacity in their field. 

Required Qualifications: 

Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning or a closely related field, plus five or more years of professional planning practice experience.  

Preferred Qualifications:  

PhD in Urban and Regional Planning or a closely related field (candidates with ABDs will be considered subject to demonstration of timely progress towards completion of all requirements for their Ph.D. before the start of the appointment).  

Experience teaching urban and regional planning courses at the undergraduate or graduate level.  

Current membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).  

Application Process/Additional Information:  

Applications must include a cover-letter, a detailed CV with the names and contact information of three references, a writing sample, and strong evidence of teaching effectiveness (course syllabi, course evaluations). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning November 10, 2025.  

Contact: Dr. John Accordino, Search Chair

Email: jaccordi@vcu.edu 

To apply for this position (Requisition # 45000700), please click here.  

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.