Associate Professor of Practice

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

About The Position

The Department of Urban Planning and Development at Iowa State University invites applications for the position of Associate Professor of Practice to teach community-focused undergraduate and graduate studio courses. The initial appointment for this position will be one semester with a start date of January 1, 2027, and ending on May 15, 2027. Additional teaching opportunities may be available based on departmental needs and the candidate's interests. This is a part-time position. Planning studios are professional experiences in the curriculum. Working in partnership with external clients, students function as a professional planning consulting team to address real-world planning topics. The instructor guides students through all phases of the planning process, including project design, applied research, stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, development of planning recommendations, and preparation of professional planning products. The studios emphasize experiential learning, collaboration, project management, professional ethics, and client communication. The candidate will be expected to contribute meaningfully to the department's teaching mission. We are looking for individuals with strong communication skills who share our commitment to fostering excellence.

Requirements

Master's degree in urban planning, or a closely related field.
10 or more years of professional planning experience in public, private, or nonprofit practice.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

AICP certification
Demonstrated knowledge of planning processes, public engagement, and project management.
Expertise in one or more planning practice areas such as comprehensive planning, housing, economic development, sustainability, resilience, transportation, land use, or community development.
Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and community partners.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee a client-based planning project in collaboration with a community partner.
Mentor students through applied planning research, community engagement, plan development, and professional presentations.
Supervise student project teams and foster a collaborative studio environment.
Coordinate meetings, field visits, and communication with community partners and stakeholders.
Evaluate student performance and provide timely feedback on individual and team work.
Produce a high-quality professional planning product that meets client expectations and supports student learning outcomes.