Assistant/Associate Professor - Political Science (Public Administration) at InsideHigherEd

Job Title: Assistant/Associate Professor - Political Science (Public Administration)
Location: Valdosta State University
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 290841
About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

The Department of Political Science seeks applicants for a 10-month, tenure-track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank to support the department's Public Administration programs (Master's and Doctoral). The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching courses in the candidate's area of expertise, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service at the department, college, and university levels. Those interested in serving as the DPA Program Coordinator are particularly encouraged to apply.

The Political Science Department is housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences which has more than 100 faculty and half a dozen staff members committed to academic success across six academic departments and three interdisciplinary programs. The Political Science Department is home to four degree programs (Political Science B.A., Organizational Leadership B.S., MPA, and DPA), 15 full-time faculty, and more than 500 students. The department is a campus leader with applied research as well as experiential learning and works closely with VSU's Center for South Georgia Regional Impact. Our faculty are experts in their respective fields and boast an impressive record of supporting student success. Faculty teach online and in-person courses and scheduling varies based on departmental needs.

An online application is required. For full consideration, completed applications must be submitted by November 10, 2025.For more information contact Dr. Joseph Robbins, Head, via email at [email protected] or phone 229-333-5771.

Application materials should include:

• CV

• Cover Letter

• Statement of teaching philosophy

• Statement of current and future research

• Transcripts (unofficial)

• List of three professional references (to include phone number and email address).

Responsibilities

Department Summary

Teaching, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service at the department, college, and university levels. The standard teaching load is 3 courses per semester if a faculty member is only teaching graduate courses; otherwise, the standard teaching load is 4 courses per semester. Primary teaching responsibility will be in the Public Administration programs. The ideal candidate will teach courses in Nonprofit Management, Research Methods, and other courses relevant to the candidate's expertise. Course delivery is primarily on-line although F2F instruction will also be required. The position could have secondary teaching responsibilities in the undergraduate Political Science or Organizational Leadership programs. Opportunities to lead community-based research or applied research projects through the university's Center for South Georgia Regional Impact are also available.

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Teaching and scholarship - 80%
Teaches classes and conducts/presents research in the employee's academic discipline.

Service - 20%
Participates in service at the department, college, and university levels.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, or closely related field by appointment date;

• Teaching experience in Public Administration and/or Public Policy;

• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning as illustrated by a record of effective teaching appropriate to the applicant's career stage, as well as scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to teach Nonprofit Management, Research Methods, and other Public Administration courses;

• Experience and/or interest in becoming the DPA Program Coordinator;

• Experience teaching in and managing online programs;

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative setting;

• A record of mentoring students.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information

• documentation of academic credentials

• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,

• view social media outlets, and

• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check

• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check

• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)

• pre-employment drug testing

• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation

• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
  • USG Ethics Policy

  • Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy

  • Drug Free Workplace

  • Sexual Misconduct and Title IX

  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

  • Motor Vehicle Policy

  • Workers Compensation (new hires)

  • Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)

• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
  • Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at [email protected].