INTRODUCTION

The Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is pleased to invite applications for a full-time tenure-track Special Education faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. The ideal candidate will share the Neag School’s commitment to excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service, as well as continuous quality improvement in an environment of civility and respect. We are pursuing a faculty member to increase research and educational capacity within the Special Education graduate program.

The successful candidate will teach courses in Special Education, conduct research in Special Education, advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and participate in outreach and service activities within the University and in the field of special education. In addition, the candidate will obtain external funding to support research efforts in their area of expertise.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 14 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,600 faculty and staff and 32,300 students, including over 24,000 undergraduates and nearly 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

The Neag School of Education stands out as a major contributor to instructional and research excellence at the University of Connecticut. With academic departments dedicated to educational leadership, educational psychology, and curriculum and instruction, the Neag School also offers a five-year integrated bachelor’s/master’s program in teacher education and a one-year, post-baccalaureate teacher education program. According to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings of Best Education Schools, the Neag School ranks among the top 25 public graduate schools of education in the nation, and the Special Education program was tied at number 13 nationally.

With nearly 40 faculty members, the Department of Educational Psychology is among the most productive at the University. In addition to the program in Special Education, the Educational Psychology Department has programs in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology; School Psychology; Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation; Cognition, Instruction, and Learning Technology; Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development; and Educational Technology.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities include engaging in research, including securing intramural and extramural funding to support research; advising undergraduate and graduate students; teaching courses primarily within the Special Education program; and contributing to the program, department, School, University, and State through service and outreach.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing or expanding a systematic line of research and disseminating research through publication and other approaches.
• Seeking external funding for research and personnel preparation.
• Mentoring doctoral students.
• Teaching and advising undergraduate and graduate students primarily within the Special Education program.
• Contributing to the program, department, School, University, and State through service and outreach.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Doctorate in special education or a related field by the time of appointment.
2. Evidence of an exemplary emerging (Assistant) or established (Associate) program of research.
3. Potential for (Assistant) or evidence of (Associate) securing and/or coordinating external funding.
4. Potential for (Assistant) or evidence of (Associate) effective college teaching and advising.
5. Applied experience working in educational settings with the roles and functions of a special educator and/or evidence of successful experience working with students with disabilities, or students at risk for disabilities, in applied settings.
6. Evidence of ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and others (e.g., students, school leaders).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Evidence of exemplary research in (a) language and literacy, (b) mathematics, (c) multi-tiered systems of support, and/or (d) related areas of applied research.
2. Evidence of emerging service and/or leadership (Assistant) or established service and/or leadership (Associate) to the university, field, or profession (e.g., K-12 schools; professional organizations; editorial activities; program, department, college, or university service; state, regional, and/or national committees).
3. Experience teaching undergraduate or graduate courses related to special education.
4. Experience advising undergraduate and graduate students.
5. Experience supervising graduate students engaged in clinical and/or research experiences.
6. Demonstrated skills and abilities for collaborating with university colleagues and community members.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2025.  The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus with the possibility of work at UConn’s regional campuses across the state.  Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Search #498641 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Personal statement describing: (a) how you meet minimum and preferred qualifications, (b) your teaching philosophy in the context of related experiences, and (c) your research and scholarship;
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Sample journal articles or books
• 3 letters of reference.

Evaluation of applicants will begin November 1, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the position should be directed to Joseph Madaus, Search Chair, at joseph.madaus@uconn.edu. For more information regarding the Department of Educational Psychology please visit the department website at http://epsy.education.uconn.edu.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.