Assistant Professor: Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies

  • 500624
  • Faculty
  • Full-time
  • Opening on: Oct 21 2025
  • College of Education

Application Deadline:

Open until filled

Position Details:

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person.

We seek a dynamic scholar and teacher whose work centers on issues of youth, advocacy, policy, and/or community engagement across diverse contexts. The successful candidate will contribute to the growth of the YAES program by teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, advising and mentoring students, serving as program coordinator, and maintaining an active research and publication agenda.
Responsibilities Include:

● Teaching a 3/2 load of undergraduate courses in areas such as youth advocacy, education and policy, positive youth development, global perspectives, and interdisciplinary approaches to education.
● Coordinating the YAES program, including curriculum development and student advising. This position will work closely with the Coordinator for Field Experiences to find and place students in internships.
● Engaging in scholarly research, publications, and grant activity appropriate to the field and for an institution moving toward R1 status.
● Collaborating with faculty and students within the College of Education, as well as across the university (e.g., child development, criminal justice, business, sociology, counseling, Honors College, social work, etc.).
● Partnering with local, regional, and global communities to support youth and their advocates, and collaborating with the CoE’s Center for Public Education and Community Engagement.
● Participating in college and university service and contributing to a collegial and productive academic environment.
Required Qualifications
● Earned doctorate (or expected completion by July 2026) in youth studies, education policy, sociology, law, child/youth development, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
● Expertise in one or more areas relevant to the YAES program, such as youth development and empowerment, education or youth policy, community engagement, program development and evaluation, children’s law, or interdisciplinary approaches to youth advocacy.
● Demonstrated scholarly research agenda with potential for national/international contributions.
● Evidence of or potential for excellence in university-level teaching.
● Professional experience with children, youth, families, law, and/or policy.
● Strong written and oral communication skills.
● Proficiency in the use of technology for research, teaching, and learning, especially innovative technologies such as immersive technology and generative AI.
● A commitment to collaborating with grant writing and other funding opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications
● Expertise in quantitative or qualitative research methods.
● Experience teaching or mentoring students in interdisciplinary or community-engaged contexts.
● Experience in program coordination or leadership.
● Record of successful grant activity (or clear potential for such work).

Department Details:

The Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies (YAES) program is housed in the Counseling, Societal Change, and Inquiry Department in the College of Education. The program prepares students to work with youth in various settings, community agencies, policy organizations, schools, and in global contexts. Courses focus on contemporary educational issues, the policy making process, and positive youth development as a tool of practice and advocacy. Through coursework, interdisciplinary collaboration, and field experiences, students gain theoretical and practical knowledge to advocate for children and youth in diverse settings.

School/College Description:

TCU’s College of Education provides exceptional preparation for the most inspired and inspiring educators, counselors, leaders, and youth advocates. The college offers both B.S. and B.S.E. degrees at the undergraduate level, as well as five master's programs and five doctoral programs, many of which are nationally recognized. Programs include eighteen content area pathways to teacher certification in K -12 education along with programs and/or concentrations in youth advocacy, early intervention, bilingual education, English as a Second Language (ESL), curriculum and instruction, curriculum studies, counseling and counselor education, educational leadership, higher education leadership, science education, mathematics education, language and literacy education, and special education. TCU is the only university in the nation with two on-campus laboratory schools, Starpoint and KinderFrogs, for children with learning differences. Students have the opportunity to engage in real-world experiences with our centers, institutes, programs, and community partners.

University & Fort Worth Description:

ABOUT TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University sits on 302 acres nestled in a primarily residential part of Fort Worth, just minutes away from downtown. The University includes seven schools and colleges, in addition to the John V. Roach Honors College and the Burnett School of Medicine.

Currently, TCU enrolls more than 10,200 undergraduates and 1,700 graduate students. Twenty-eight percent of students self-identify as a member of a minority group, five percent are international students, and forty-five percent are from out-of-state. Our students are supported by more than 2,200 faculty and staff. The University has more than 700 full-time faculty members and is a top 100 National University as classified by US News and World Report and has a Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity.

ABOUT FORT WORTH

Like TCU, Fort Worth has the approachable, friendly charm of a smaller town, but offers the amenities, cultural activities, diversity and unique personality of a much larger city. Fort Worth, Texas, is the 13th largest city in the United States with an ever-growing population nearing 1 million. Fort Worth and TCU have grown together in a nearly 150-year relationship. You’ll find that many Horned Frogs remain here after graduation, thanks to the region’s thriving job market. Fort Worth is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, and the number 1 tourist destination in Texas. In 2018, bizjournals.com ranked Fort Worth the 7th most affordable city to live and work in the United States and U.S. News and World Report named Fort Worth one of the Best Places to Live. Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington all rank among the top 25 most diverse cities in the country.

Fort Worth is known for its vast array of cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities. The city boasts three world class art museums—the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall is one of the premier performance venues in the country. Concerts, film festivals and other events are held regularly at Sundance Square, Panther Island and Near Southside venues.

Required Application Materials & Application Instructions:

Applications should be submitted online through the TCU Human Resources website at https://jobs.tcu.edu/. Complete the application, which consists of personal contact information, three references and their contact information, and a voluntary survey. Additionally, upload the following documents:

1. Full CV
2. Letter of Application

Letters of recommendation may be requested at a later time in the process from your three references. Your references will receive an email from TCU asking them to upload their LOR on your behalf.

TCU only accepts online applications and documents.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.

TCU Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report Notice of Availability

Texas Christian University is committed to assisting all members of the campus community in providing for their own safety and security. TCU’s Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report is published in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the Higher Education Opportunity Act. This report includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by the University, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The statements of policy contained within this report address institutional policies, procedures, and programs concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, emergency notifications and timely warning of crimes, sexual and interpersonal violence, and personal safety at TCU. Additionally, this report outlines fire safety systems, policies and procedures for on-campus housing facilities, as well as residence hall fire statistics. 

The Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report can be found on the TCU Police Department website at https://police.tcu.edu/annual-security-report, or a paper copy of the report may be obtained by contacting the TCU Police Department at 817-257-7930, or via email at police@tcu.edu.

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