Rural Education Faculty

Clemson University   Clemson, SC   Full-time     Education
Posted on January 22, 2025
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Clemson University’s College of Education seeks Rural Education Faculty
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Clemson_RuralEd_FacultyCluster_Profile_011425.pdf
Location: Clemson, South Carolina 

The Positions:
Clemson University College of Education invites applications for two full-time (9 month) open-rank tenured or tenure-track faculty positions for a cluster hire in Rural Education. The College endeavors to recruit a team and/or individual faculty members with diverse methodological approaches and a strong interdisciplinary focus to complement existing faculty expertise and contribute to the College’s growing national reputation in Rural Education.

This innovative hiring strategy reflects Clemson’s commitment to expanding research and teaching capacity in addressing educational challenges and opportunities in rural, economically disadvantaged, and underserved communities. Appointments will be made in the academic department that most closely aligns with the faculty member’s area(s) of expertise. The physical location of this position is Clemson, South Carolina; however, the position may require travel from time to time. Finalists who meet specific criteria may be considered for appointment as a Eugene T. Moore Distinguished or Endowed Professor. 

The University and College support dual career hires, relocation expenses, and generous start-up packages. 

Responsibilities:

  • RESEARCH: Conduct high-quality, impactful research in rural education, with a focus on expanding educational opportunity, access, and innovation in educational systems. Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and disciplines in the College and University. Lead externally funded programs of research that contribute to knowledge, practice, and outreach related to PK-20+ education, educational leadership, and allied fields.
  • TEACHING: Teach undergraduate and/or graduate-level courses in education. Develop new courses related to issues in rural education and topics associated with the National Rural Education Research Agenda.
  • SERVICE: Participate in departmental, college, and university-level service. Serve on relevant committees and contribute to community engagement efforts, particularly in rural areas.
  • ADVISING AND MENTORING: Supervise, advise, and/or mentor undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Mentor and/or collaborate with postdoctoral researchers and faculty, particularly those involved in rural education research and outreach projects. Foster a supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. 

Qualifications:

  • EDUCATION: Earned doctorate in education or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
  • EXPERIENCE:
    • For Assistant Professors: Evidence of a promising research agenda and potential for securing external funding.
    • For Associate/Full Professors: A strong record of scholarly publications, external funding, and leadership in rural education research and outreach.
  • Demonstrated expertise or research interest in one or more of the following areas:
    • Expanding education access and opportunity in rural settings.
    • Innovations in PK-12 and post-secondary rural education with a focus on research-practice partnerships.
    • Improvement of learning and/or well-being outcomes for rural populations PreK-20+.
    • Teacher preparation and professional development for rural educators, particularly in the areas of special education, STEM education, literacy, or early childhood/elementary education.
    • Principal and superintendent preparation and professional development for rural leaders.
    • The intersection of rural education, policy, and community development.
  • Experience working with diverse student populations, including students from rural, economically disadvantaged, and underserved communities.
  • Strong commitment to community engagement and building partnerships with rural schools and communities.
  • Interdisciplinary, collaborative experience is highly valued. 

Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated expertise/experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Experience in rural education policy analysis or working directly with policymakers.
  • Experience securing and managing external research and outreach funding.
  • A track record of engaging with rural communities and schools in impactful ways, including successful research-practice partnerships.
  • Experience with qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research, particularly as applied to rural educational issues.
  • Experience working with diverse learners and educators, especially those from underserved, rural, economically disadvantaged and/or underrepresented communities.
  • PreK-12 teaching and/or leadership experience. 

About the College of Education:
U.S. News and World Report has again ranked the Clemson University College of Education as the #1 online graduate program in the nation.

College of Education Mission Statement: To improve education, transform communities, and enhance the lives of South Carolina citizens.

The College of Education is a transformational leader in education across the life-and-career-span. With a particular focus on rural and underserved schools and communities, the college has award-winning programs that prepare teachers, educational specialists, school-and-community-based mental health counselors and leaders in education and allied fields. The College equips students for lives and careers that make a difference. Through innovative educational programs, high-impact research and transformative community partnerships, they address critical societal and educational issues including workforce development, the integration of technology in education and society, teacher recruitment and retention, mental health and well-being, and leadership development. Inspired by Clemson’s land-grant mission, they lead these vital initiatives to serve the state of South Carolina and the Nation, as evidenced in their 2024 Annual Report.

About Clemson University:
Established in 1889 through the will of the founder, Thomas Green Clemson, and one of the most productive public research universities in the nation, Clemson University enrolls over 28,000 students across the State of South Carolina and has an endowment of over $1 billion. The University operates Extension offices in every county of the state and has five Innovation Campuses and six Research and Education Center locations. Classified as an R1 — Very High Research University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — Clemson is dedicated to teaching, research, and service. The main campus, located in Upstate South Carolina, sits on 1,400 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the shores of Lake Hartwell. Through the research, outreach and entrepreneurial projects led by faculty and students, Clemson University is driving economic development and improving quality of life in South Carolina and beyond.

The University provides bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 100 majors through nine academic colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Art and Construction; Arts and Humanities; Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences; Business; Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; Education; Science; and Veterinary Medicine.

To Apply:
Clemson University, in consultation with Summit Search Solutions, Inc., will begin a confidential review of application materials immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by February 23rd, will be given first consideration. Please submit a Curriculum Vita, letter of application detailing qualifications, research, teaching, and outreach interests; and research statement outlining current and future research agenda upon application. Candidates are asked to indicate if they are applying as an individual or member of a team. If the latter, please include all team/lab partners’ names in your letter. All applications and nominations will be held in confidence.

To apply online, click: https://apply.interfolio.com/162160

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:
Caitlin Hummel
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: (585) 880-7550
chummel@summitsearchsolutions.com               

Clemson University is an AAO/EO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information. Clemson University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.