Assistant Professor & Director of Civic Thought & Leadership

East Texas A&M University • Commerce, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

East Texas A&M University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor who will serve as Director of Civic Thought and Leadership in the Liberal Studies program within the Department of History and Liberal Studies. The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of the university’s new Civic Thought and Leadership degree program, working with faculty to build a coherent curriculum connecting civic thought, the humanities, constitutional government, and leadership.

The position includes developing and teaching foundational courses, leading co-curricular programming, building campus and community partnerships, and seeking external funding to support the program’s growth. The university seeks a scholar and teacher who can help students connect influential texts, historical experiences, and political institutions to questions of citizenship, public responsibility, and leadership. The successful candidate will maintain an active research agenda and contribute to teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate to a tenure-track assistant professor.

Requirements

• An earned doctorate in political science, history, philosophy, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
• A research agenda in civic thought, political theory or philosophy, American political thought, constitutionalism, leadership, or a related area.
• Evidence of effective undergraduate teaching relevant to civic thought or interdisciplinary humanities.
• Ability to teach foundational texts and facilitate substantive discussion of competing ideas and interpretations.
• Evidence of the ability to collaborate with colleagues and contribute to curriculum development, academic programming, or student engagement.
• Strong written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience contributing to the development or administration of a civic thought, constitutional studies, liberal arts, or related academic program.
• Experience teaching courses organized around foundational texts that connect political, philosophical, historical, and literary questions.
• Teaching or scholarly expertise in the history of political ideas, democratic leadership, public communication and persuasion, citizenship, or American constitutional traditions.
• Experience organizing student programming, public lectures, reading groups, conferences, or other co-curricular activities.
• Evidence of success securing external grants or contributing substantially to funded educational or public humanities initiatives.
• Experience developing educational programming for teachers or building partnerships beyond the university.
• A record of peer-reviewed scholarship or evidence of strong potential for continued research and publication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, launch, and ongoing coordination of the Civic Thought and Leadership degree program, including curriculum planning, assessment, student recruitment, and collaboration across participating disciplines.
• Contribute to the development and teaching of foundational courses in civic thought and the humanities, emphasizing close reading, discussion, reasoned argument, and the relationship between enduring questions and contemporary civic life.
• Teach undergraduate courses in areas such as civic thought, American political thought, constitutionalism, leadership, and interdisciplinary humanities.
• Develop and lead co-curricular programming, including public lectures, reading groups, student forums, and other opportunities for civic learning and substantive dialogue.
• Build partnerships with university programs, schools, community organizations, and scholarly or civic institutions to support programming and student opportunities.
• Identify external funding opportunities, develop grant proposals, and coordinate funded activities in collaboration with faculty and university offices.
• Maintain an active scholarly agenda related to civic thought, leadership, political philosophy, constitutionalism, or a closely related field.
• Advise and mentor students and contribute to departmental, college, and university service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree