Alvermann Professorship of Social Change

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

The Mary Frances Early College of Education ( MFE COE) is committed to promoting diversity in education and society through its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, through its research and teaching missions, and through collaborative work with community residents and organizations. It consistently ranks nationally in the top ten Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction programs. The excellence of the faculty has enabled the MFE COE to recruit doctoral students nationally and internationally and place them in a variety of prestigious positions following graduation, further enhancing the College's outstanding reputation around the globe.

As the 4th largest public college of education in the country and the 3rd largest college at UGA, the Mary Frances Early College of Education ( MFE COE) improves the lives of residents of Georgia and beyond through our instruction, research, and service. The MFE COE is a comprehensive college with disciplines focused on teacher preparation, counseling and human development, communication sciences, human movement sciences, career development, student affairs, and educational administration and policy. We place significant emphasis on graduate education with approximately 40% of our students at the graduate level, making us the second largest college at UGA with respect to graduate education.

The Department of Language and Literacy Education has contributed to this stature locally, nationally, and internationally. Many faculty collaborate with other MFE COE departments in program development, research partnerships, and other associations. The department has developed programs that meet the University of Georgia's mission to expand students' Experiential Learning through service-learning projects, community inquiry programs, summer programs designed to serve the local community, and related initiatives. The faculty have long held leadership roles in national and international organizations dedicated to language and literacy education. Departmental faculty have also developed international collaborations with educators in Russia, Mexico, Columbia, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Chile, Cyprus, and other locations. The Donna Alvermann Endowed Professor for Social Change will find the department to be a dynamic and stimulating environment for advancing the field's understanding of literacy research and pedagogy.

Applicants should submit:

Applications received by Friday, October 17, 2025, will be assured full consideration, but this position is open until filled. Address questions to the search committee chair, Dr. Oscar Jimenez-Castellanos (oscar.jimenezcastellanos@uga.edu).

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

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 online 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 online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.