Faculty and Leadership: Open Positions
The Simmons School of Education and Human Development invites applications for tenure-line and non-tenure-line faculty positions in its departments of Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Education Policy and Leadership, and Counseling. Faculty position announcements appear below, and overviews of the Simmons School, the University, and the City of Dallas follow the announcements.
Department of Education Policy and Leadership
Position: Open Rank Professor in Education Policy and Leadership: K-12 Education Leadership
Position Number: 53096
The Department of Education Policy & Leadership at 水多多导航 (水多多导航) invites applications for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in K-12 Education Leadership. This is a tenure-track position slated to begin in August of 2026. 水多多导航’s Department of Education Policy & Leadership (EPL) is a dynamic, inclusive, and collegial environment where research, policy, and practice are valued in the preparation of future leaders in both K-12 and higher education contexts. Our highly productive faculty has diversity of expertise and pursues a wide range of research focused on leadership, policy, district and community partnerships, and K-12 practice.
We seek applicants who have an earned doctorate in educational leadership, policy, administration, or a related field and have a research agenda explicitly focused on leadership. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, maintaining an active research agenda; seeking external funding; teaching courses in the doctorate of education (Ed.D.), master’s of education programs, and/or Ph.D. program; advising Ed.D. and Ph.D. dissertations; and providing service to the program, department, college, university, and community.
Required Qualifications
- Earned doctorate in K-12 educational leadership, policy, administration, or a related discipline by August 1, 2026.
- Expertise that contributes to our understanding of K-12 educational leadership, including (but not limited to): school, district, or community leadership; school improvement; and/or organizational development.
Preferred Qualifications (expectations for each are commensurate with candidate’s rank)
- Experience and commitment to teaching, advising, and/or mentoring graduate students.
- Demonstrated record of seeking and/or securing research funding.
- Experience as a leader, broadly defined, is preferred; other K-12 practitioner experiences are also valued.
- Evidence of participation and/or service in the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) or the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division A.
Application Process
Applicants should submit their materials online at and reference Position Number 53096 on all application materials.
The application materials should include the following.
- A cover letter highlighting the candidate’s qualifications with specific reference to research and teaching experience/approach
- Curriculum vitae
- One writing sample in the form of a published article, submitted manuscript, or manuscript in preparation
- Name, title, and contact information (email address) for three references.
For questions or to discuss the position, contact the search chair, Dr. Alexandra Pavlakis (pavlakis@smu.edu). The search committee will begin reviewing applications October 1, 2025, but the position will remain open until filled. The start date for the position is Fall 2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
The Department of Education Policy & Leadership is a dynamic and collegial environment where research, policy, and practice are valued in the preparation of future education leaders; it cultivates and supports leaders and researchers dedicated to improving educational outcomes and the culture of learning in schools, colleges, and educational systems through leadership development, scholarship, and service. The faculty has extensive experience in both practice and research and values a diversity of expertise and experiences. The department offers five programs: an Ed.D. in Pk-12 Educational Leadership, Ed.D. in Higher Education, M.Ed. Accelerated PK-12 Leadership, M.Ed. Higher Education, and a Principal Certification program.
(水多多导航) is an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas. The University is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry. 水多多导航 offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. The University is situated in the heart of Dallas, a culturally rich arts and global business center, is home to many universities, arts organizations and Fortune 500 companies.
水多多导航 will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.
Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management
Positions (4): Open-Rank Clinical Professors of Sport Management
Position Numbers: 53088, 53259, 52406, & 53285 with different instructional and curricular focuses
The Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management in the Simmons School at 水多多导航 is currently accepting applications for four (4) Open Rank Clinical Professors of Sport Management. These are non-tenure-track, nine-month renewable contract positions slated to begin in either January 2026 or August 2026.
All four of these open-rank Clinical Professor positions are expected to teach 4 courses (12 credit hours) per semester in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Sport Management program and/or the graduate Master of Science in Sport Management program. Clinical professors may be asked to teach evening and/or weekend courses. Clinical professors are also expected to maintain office hours and an appropriate student-centered presence on campus while participating in service that leads to the development, growth, and expansion of the sport management program. For additional information about the faculty and the department, visit /apsm.
POSITION NUMBERS 53088 and 53259
Expectations
Open-Rank Clinical Professor positions 53088 & 53259 are expected to teach a variety of courses across the sport management curriculum, including but not limited to those in the following areas.
- Sport Analytics
- Sport Finance
- Sport Economics
- Technology & Artificial Intelligence in Sport
- Global Sport Management/Business
Qualifications
- A successful candidate must have earned a doctorate in sport management or a closely related field. Candidates in the final stages of their doctoral studies, who anticipate completing their degree before commencing employment, are eligible to apply.
- Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate sport management courses (online or in-person) is preferred.
Application Process
Candidates should submit their application materials through the Interfolio online system at and reference postion numbers 53088 & 53259 on all documents submitted.
Application materials should include the following.
- a letter of application highlighting the candidate’s qualifications,
- a curriculum vitae, and
- the full names and email addresses of three recommenders.
To ensure full consideration for either position, applications must be submitted by October 3, 2025, although the search committee will continue to accept applications until both positions are filled. The committee will notify applicants of the employment decision after the positions are filled. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
The start date for these positions is either January 2026 or August 2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Please contact Dr. Sydney Hammit for questions about the search submission process, the department, and/or the position at shammit@smu.edu.
POSITION NUMBERS 52406 and 53285
Expectations
Open-Rank Clinical Professor positions # 52406 & # 53285 are expected to teach a variety of courses across the sport management curriculum, including but not limited to those in the following areas.
- Sport Marketing & Sponsorship
- Professional & Career Development in Sport Management
- Sport Communication & Media
- Intercollegiate Sport
- Event Management
- Sport Leadership
Qualifications
- A doctoral degree OR a Master's degree in Sport Management or a related field such as sport administration, business, law, economics, etc. with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the sport or allied-to-sport industry.
- A doctoral degree is desirable
- Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate sport management courses (online or in-person) is preferred.
Application Process
Candidates should submit their application materials through the Interfolio online system at and reference postion numbers 52406 & 53285 on all documents submitted.
Application materials should include the following.
- a letter of application highlighting the candidate’s qualifications,
- a curriculum vitae, and
- the full names and email addresses of three recommenders.
To ensure full consideration for either position, applications must be submitted by October 3, 2025, although the search committee will continue to accept applications until both positions are filled. The committee will notify applicants of the employment decision after the positions are filled.Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
The start date for these positions is either January 2026 or August 2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Please contact Dr. Bo Li for questions about the search submission process, the department, and/or the position at bnli@smu.edu.
About the University and the Simmons School
水多多导航 is a nationally ranked, private, non-sectarian research institution located in one of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Researchers are part of an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of internationally recognized scholars across the humanities, social sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, and business. 水多多导航 offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. To learn more about the rich cultural environment of 水多多导航, visit: http://smu.edu. The City of Dallas is one of the nation’s most cosmopolitan commercial and cultural centers, and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the fourth largest in the US. Our beautifully shaded campus of Georgian-Revival-inspired architecture is situated in the heart of Dallas. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, a culturally rich arts and global business center, is home to many universities, arts organizations, and Fortune 500 corporations visit to learn more. Of note, the Sport Business Journal named Dallas the number one sports business city in the U.S. in 2023: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/03/20/In-Depth/best-sports-business-cities-dallas.aspx
水多多导航’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development promotes academic excellence through preparing exemplary professionals, engaging in research, securing significant external grants and contracts, and collaborating with community partners. Founded in 2005, Simmons offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across five diverse academic departments: Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Counseling, Education Policy and Leadership, Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies, and Teaching and Learning.
The 水多多导航 Sport Management program within Simmons’ Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management is one of the fastest-growing programs on campus with five full-time faculty members, 215 undergraduate students, and 30 master’s students. The 水多多导航 Simmons Master’s in Sport Management program has received significant recognition, being ranked as one of the Top 40 programs internationally and the #4 program among private universities in the U.S.A. These rankings were conducted by SportBusiness, a London-based intelligence service that provides data and analytics to the sports industry. For more information on the SportBusiness Postgraduate Ranking, often referred to as the SportBusiness PGR, visit:
水多多导航 is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Department of Counseling
Faculty openings soon to be posted.
The 水多多导航 Counseling program is ranked nationally among the top 5 best value schools (). The Counseling Program maintains approximately 300 graduate students whose capstone experience is practica in the state-of-the-art 水多多导航 Center for Family Counseling and other community internship sites. The program offers three CACREP accredited Specialties: Clinical Mental Health; Marriage, Couple & Family; and School Counseling. The Center for Family Counseling, the department’s on-campus clinic, offers services to the community and provides a counseling experience for practicum students prior to their clinical internships. With an emphasis on teaching, faculty work collaboratively to sustain a nurturing and innovative environment, which is a hallmark of the program that has contributed to its ongoing success. Faculty are committed to the well-being and success of students and each other.
Department of Teaching and Learning
No positions available at present.
The Department of Teaching and Learning (T&L) is a dynamic and collegial environment where research, policy, and practice are valued in the preparation of Teachers and Teacher Leaders. Faculty members have extensive expertise in both research and practice, drawing on a variety of experiences. The Teaching and Learning programs engage in continuous assessment and improvement of department courses and organizational structures and is committed, as well, to providing mentoring support to new members of the department commensurate with their rank. Explore more at http://www.smu.edu/Simmons/Academics.
The department includes graduate study in Learning Sciences, Teacher Education, Bilingual/ESL Education, Special Education, Literacy, Gifted and Talented, Math Education, STEM Education, and Urban Education. In addition, the department includes the Technology-Enhanced Immersion Learning (TEIL) cluster that focuses on learning sciences, artificial intelligence, machine learning, technology-enhanced learning, assessment, and behavior change. Adjunct positions can be found at /simmons/about-us/job-openings/adjunct-positions.
Department of Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies
No positions available at present.
The Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies department offers a wide range of interdisciplinary, skills-based master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs for professionals, community leaders, and individuals. Students in this vibrant community represent a range of professional and community backgrounds and educational goals. The department offers a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution, Master of Liberal Studies, Doctor of Liberal Studies, Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution, Executive Coaching Concentration, Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Engagement Certificate, and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Adjunct positions can be found at /simmons/about-us/job-openings/adjunct-positions.
About the Simmons School, 水多多导航, and the City of Dallas
The Simmons School of Education & Human Development
水多多导航’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development was founded in 2005 and is ranked among the top 11 private graduate schools of education in the United States and among the top 3 public and private graduate schools of education in Texas. The school has undergraduate and graduate programs across five academic departments, including Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Counseling, Education Policy and Leadership, Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies, and Teaching and Learning. In addition, Simmons is home to three school-level centers: The Center on Research and Evaluation, The Budd Center: Involving Communities in Education, and College Access. Comprised of two state-of-the-art academic buildings, the Simmons School has over 80,000 sq. feet of office and classroom spaces, applied physiology labs, and a 21st century teacher-development studio to advance the development of pre-service and in-service teachers. The Simmons School promotes excellence by engaging in and disseminating research, securing significant external grants and contracts, preparing exemplary professionals, and collaborating with other schools on campus. The Simmons School of Education & Human Development is a catalyst for discovery and innovation that transforms social conditions and advances human potential through excellence in research, teaching, and community outreach. Find out more at /Simmons
水多多导航: The University
Located near the center of Dallas, 水多多导航is a private university of 11,000 students offering strong undergraduate, graduate and professional programs through seven schools – Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Meadow School of the Arts, Lyle School of Engineering, Perkins School of Theology, Dedman School of Law, and Simmons School of Education and Human Development. 水多多导航’s location in Dallas, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country, is an ideal setting for studying the opportunities and inequities that individuals, groups, and communities confront as they navigate and shape urban life. 水多多导航 researchers are part of an intellectually vibrant community of internationally recognized scholars in education, humanities, science, business, the arts, engineering, law, and theology. 水多多导航 is committed to inclusive teaching and opportunities for mentoring students at graduate and undergraduate levels and offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. 水多多导航 welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. Explore 水多多导航 at .
The City of Dallas
The City of Dallas is one of the nation’s most cosmopolitan, commercial, and cultural centers, and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the fourth largest in the US. A great many publicly traded corporations are headquartered in DFW, with nine Fortune 500 companies based within Dallas. The DFW airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and travel to nearly anywhere in the world is extremely convenient, often by direct flight. Dallas’ quality of life is exceptional, with a relatively low cost of living and a variety of housing options from high-rise, urban apartments to country-style single-family homes. A full range of professional sports teams, popular-to-highbrow music venues, a lively and innovative restaurant scene, numerous recreational opportunities, festivals, and more make Dallas an extremely livable city.
Dallas boasts the nation’s largest urban arts district, which comprises world-class museums and a luminous cluster of performing arts spaces, highlighted by the Winspear Opera House that was described by Opera magazine as America’s finest. With the Trinity River, White Rock Lake, almost 400 parks, and over 180 miles of urban hiking and biking trails, the city provides abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The city has been named one of the Greenest Cities in the world. 水多多导航 students and faculty utilize the Dallas metropolitan area as an extension of the classroom, characterized by engaged learning projects and corporate and community partnerships. To learn more about the rich culture of Dallas, visit .
水多多导航 will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. 水多多导航's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.