Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies

The Department of Leadership and American Studies at Christopher Newport University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Leadership Studies, effective August 2026. Applicants must be committed to undergraduate education and demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching and an interest in conducting research with undergraduates, as well as in scholarship.

The Department of Leadership and American Studies is committed to educating students to understand and practice ethical, responsible leadership and civic engagement. The University is seeking productive scholars in Leadership Studies, or a clearly connected area, such as (though not limited to) social or political psychology, organizational psychology, economics, political theory, intellectual history, communication, or philosophy. Given the interdisciplinary nature of Leadership Studies, a candidate’s scholarship and teaching in the field would likely integrate expertise from a related field.

The successful candidate will be able to teach one or more of our core courses for the major and minor in Leadership Studies, along with one or more elective courses. Our core courses include: Self, Group and Leadership; Theories and Perspectives on Leadership; Leadership Through the Ages; Leading Adaptive Change; Values and Ethics in Leadership; and Leadership in Complex Contexts. The department is interested in faculty developing new elective courses that align with their areas of expertise, and especially those that address the intersection of leadership with contemporary issues. Elective courses also draw upon an interdisciplinary perspective to inform the study of leadership.

Faculty expectations, in addition to teaching, include: productive scholarship leading to publications; advising of students; curriculum and program development; and university service. The nominal teaching load for tenure track appointments is 3-3.

A doctorate in Leadership Studies or a related field is required for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. In some cases, exceptionally well-qualified candidates may be considered for appointment at a higher rank, and ABD candidates who will not hold the doctorate by the time of appointment may be considered for appointment at the rank of Instructor. Phi Beta Kappa membership is desirable.

Christopher Newport University is a public liberal arts and sciences institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship, research and student success. Our efforts are guided by our vision: “Anchored in excellence and focused on students, Christopher Newport University aspires to be the nation’s premier regional public university, offering an innovative education embedded in the liberal arts that advances the values of honor, service, scholarship, and leadership to empower graduates to lead lives of significance.”

Located in Newport News, Virginia, CNU enrolls approximately 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 90 areas of study. Our modern, walkable campus features world-class arts facilities, advanced technology, and a close-knit community that fosters collaboration and discovery. Just minutes from family neighborhoods, locally-owned businesses, historic sites, unique cultural attractions, and beautiful parks – and a short drive to beaches, Colonial Williamsburg, and Norfolk – CNU offers an exceptional place to advance your career, contribute to a community of scholars, and inspire the next generation.

Christopher Newport University is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored, and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit http://www.cnu.edu.

To apply, please provide a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, graduate transcripts (photocopies acceptable for initial screening), statement of teaching philosophy, a one-page statement articulating how your teaching, scholarship and service would contribute toward fostering an inclusive learning environment on campus, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and three letters of recommendation. (Letters should be uploaded with application materials or emailed to facultyrecruitment@cnu.edu).

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2025.
Applications received after October 1, 2025 will be accepted but considered only if needed.

Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.