Educational Leadership Program Director (Professor of Practice)

Are you a seasoned educational leader who still feels that spark?

Do you find yourself wondering, "How can I keep making a real difference... and help the next generation go even farther than I did?"

If so, we'd love to talk with you.

The Opportunity

Northern Kentucky University just launched a new, fully online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for practicing and aspiring leaders in:

* P-12 schools and districts

* Higher education

* Social service and nonprofit organizations

* Corporate training and talent development

* Health care education and leadership

This is not a typical online program. Our starting point is simple and bold:

Effective leaders are, first and foremost, effective people.

We are designing a program that grows leaders from the inside out-focusing on personhood, purpose, mindfulness, ethics, and courage, alongside strong research and practice skills.

We're seeking a Professor of Practice in Educational Leadership (non-tenure track) who wants to help shape and teach in our new online Ed.D. program and is energized by innovation, collaboration, and experimentation.

Who We Hope Will Apply

You might be:

* A senior or retired leader with a doctorate who has "one more big contribution" you'd like to make.

* A seasoned practitioner-scholar who has led in schools, higher education, community agencies, health care, or corporate learning.

* Someone who is deeply curious about how AI can support leadership development and personal growth, and eager to learn with students, not just instruct them.

We're especially interested in colleagues who:

* Hold an earned doctorate in educational leadership, higher education, organizational leadership, P-12 administration, or a closely related field.

* Have a track record of leading people, not just managing systems.
* Are passionate about mentoring doctoral students through real-world, action-based projects that improve practice.

* Have experience with online teaching and course design-or are excited to grow in this area.

* Are eager to explore AI-informed tools and practices that can help leaders reflect, grow, and make wiser decisions.

* Value collaboration, humility, inclusivity, and honest conversation about the challenges of leading in complex times.

An important part of this role is helping students become more grounded, self-aware, and resilient human beings-not just more efficient administrators.

As Professor of Practice, you will:

* Provide visionary leadership for the continued development, quality, and strategic direction of the Ed.D. program

* Teach and co-design graduate-level courses in our new online Ed.D.

* Integrate leadership theory, reflective practice, and real-world application.

* Guide students through capstone projects that improve their organizations and communities.

* Explore and model the thoughtful use of AI in leadership learning and self-development.

* Collaborate with a supportive faculty team committed to growing this innovative program.

* Participate in on-campus meetings, events, and service. (While online teaching is expected, the position is not a remote one. Physical presence on campus is expected and required.)

Doctorate from an accredited institution in educational leadership or higher education, P-12 administration, organizational leadership, leadership theory, or a related discipline with a bent toward innovative thinking about effective leadership.

* Evidence of higher education leadership experience

* Evidence of recruitment and/or enrollment management experience

* Evidence of successful online course development and teaching

* Evidence of active involvement with community-based practitioners

* Evidence of engaging in action-based scholarship

* Passion for teaching and directing doctoral students in action-based scholarship

Who We Are

For more than 15 years, NKU's executive Ed.D. has prepared leaders in P-12, higher education, and community organizations. In 2025, we expand this mission with an asynchronous online Ed.D. designed for leaders across sectors who want flexible, meaningful, and deeply personal doctoral study.

Our graduates are change-makers who value excellence, ethics, and human dignity. Our new online program will continue this tradition while leaning into emerging tools to support reflection, feedback, and growth.

NKU, located seven miles from downtown Cincinnati in an area offering an outstanding quality of life, is a nationally recognized metropolitan university committed to active engagement with the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region of nearly two million people. NKU's vision is that we will be nationally recognized for being a student-ready, regionally engaged university that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. Our core values place emphasis on our culture of excellence, creativity, innovation, and collegiality. Your cover letter and/or teaching statement should show, as a faculty member at NKU, how you will contribute to our core values and our strategic framework, especially in how you will contribute student success and belonging.

The College of Education at Northern Kentucky University aspires to be known throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and region-at-large as the leader in providing opportunities for engaged learning and applied scholarship that fosters individual growth and collective success. We invite applicants who are passionate about educational leadership preparation to apply for a newly created full-time Professor of Practice in Educational Leadership position within the Department of Educational Leadership & Advanced Studies.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit:

1. A brief cover letter of about 500 words sharing:

Why this opportunity speaks to you at this point in your life and career.

A challenging leadership situation you helped navigate.

How you see yourself contributing to an inside-out, person-centered leadership Ed.D.

2. An up-to-date CV or resume

3. Names and contact information for at least three professional references

Application review will begin December 20, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

For questions or more information, contact:

Dr. Mark Wasicsko, Search Committee Chair - wasicskom1@nku.edu

If you are still curious, still learning, and still deeply committed to helping others lead well-and live well-we'd be honored to hear from you.

Any candidate who is offered this position is required to undergo a pre-employment criminal background check as mandated by state law.