Assistant Professor Public Administration

About Us

Georgia Southern University is the state's largest and most comprehensive center of higher learning south of Atlanta, and one of the most dynamic public universities in the Southeast.

Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern has grown from a single-purpose college into a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution with 149 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, serving 31,600 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and more than 100 nations.

Four distinct campuses extend Georgia Southern's reach across the region: a 900-acre quintessential college campus in Statesboro, anchored by Georgian-style red-brick buildings set among oaks and pines; the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, minutes from historic downtown and a short drive from the beaches of Tybee Island; a modern, purpose-built facility in Hinesville serving local and military-affiliated students; and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro, an outdoor oasis nestled on a 385-acre pine forest, offering expanded pathways to higher education for students across southeast Georgia.

Through ten colleges, the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Science and Mathematics, the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, the Parker College of Business, the Waters College of Health Professions and University College, Georgia Southern delivers academic programs backed by real-world experience, research with regional and national impact, and a faculty committed to helping every student go further than they thought possible.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and holding specialized accreditation across its professional programs, Georgia Southern prepares graduates who are ready to lead, contribute and soar beyond, in Georgia, across the nation and around the world.

For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

Location

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

Statesboro Campus
1332 Southern Drive
Statesboro, GA 30458

Department Information

Within this setting, the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies houses the NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. Our innovative program offers two flexible tracks (Hybrid and Executive), with specialized courses in public and nonprofit management. The Hybrid Track blends online and in-person instruction, while the Executive Track is fully online with courses delivered in an abbreviated format. The department also offers and undergraduate degree in public policy (online) and three online undergraduate minors in public administration, public policy, and nonprofit management. Being fully committed to the advancement of public service education, the department continues to expand its curricular offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The faculty focus on high-quality, student-centered undergraduate and graduate education, maintain robust research agendas, and engage in impactful service within the University (including a strong commitment to student mentoring), the profession, and the community.

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Affairs, or a closely related field with at least 18 graduate semester hours in Public Administration, Public Policy, or Public Affairs, by August 1, 2027.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Ability to teach effectively across modalities, including web-based and in-person instruction.
• Willingness to engage in funded and applied research.
• Willingness to engage with institutional student success initiatives.
• Commitment to engaging with best practice initiatives in instruction and pedagogy, mentoring, and curriculum design and development.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing a strong and growing research and scholarship agenda and the production of research/creative activities as appropriate to the discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• The successful candidate will have research and teaching interests in nonprofit management, broadly defined. A focus on governance, accountability, and organizational leadership; AI integration into the nonprofit sector; philanthropy, fundraising, and resource development; cross-sector partnerships & social innovation; organizational performance, evaluation, and impact, or a combination of areas is preferred.
• Previous practitioner experience is desirable to support teaching needs in the MPA Executive Track.
• An MPA and/or credentials to teach in one or more of the general areas of Public Administration (i.e., Foundations of Public Administration, Research Methods, etc.) and contribute to the concentration in Nonprofit Management.
• The successful candidate will be able to tailor their instruction to meet student needs.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.
This is an exempt position paid on a monthly basis.

Required Documents to Attach

A complete application consists of a letter addressing the qualifications cited above; a curriculum vitae; a statement addressing teaching philosophy; a research statement; official or unofficial graduate transcripts; and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least four professional references. Other documentation may be requested.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position

KNOWLEDGE
Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success

SKILLS
Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills

Apply Before Date

Open Until Filled
Screening of applications begins November 18th, 2026 and continues until the position is filled. Preferred start date is August 1, 2027.

Contact Information

Search Chair Name: Dr. Kristina Patterson

Email: kpatterson@georgiasouthern.edu

Telephone: 912-478-1400

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 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 on-line 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 on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

All work (with limited exceptions such as research and study abroad outside activities such as grading and email correspondence) for Georgia Southern University must be completed while the employee is physically present in the state of Georgia, unless specifically authorized by the university for a specific purpose and limited period of time within current policy.

Faculty are expected to contribute to the vibrant university community by engaging students, participating in events, and performing other responsibilities on-campus.

Faculty may be required to teach, conduct research, or perform service duties on any of the three campuses. Georgia Southern provides accessible transportation options between campuses.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community.

Equal Employment Opportunity

More information about the institution is available through http://www.georgiasouthern.edu or https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/colleges/behavioral-social-sciences. The names of applicants and nominees, vitae, and other non-evaluative information may be subject to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.

Background Check

Standard + Education