Executive Director

The South Carolina Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse Carolina seeks to fill a 9-month, full-time, tenured faculty position at the rank of Professor, to begin August 16, 2026. The Center is flexible as to the disciplinary home of our applicants but prioritizes commitment to the Center’s mission as described below. 

The Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse promotes the dialogic, cultural, and civic literacies which are essential to a well-ordered and flourishing American polity. This means advancing the teaching of American history and civics, cultivation of a life-long love of learning, and a knowledge and appreciation of our founding documents, as well as the philosophic, political, literary, and religious traditions out of which they emerged. 

Applications are especially encouraged from scholars working in History, Politics, and Philosophy, although applications from scholars in the humanities and social sciences whose research and teaching root them firmly in this mission will also be considered. The successful applicant will be hired at the rank of Professor and should have a record of scholarly achievement and national or international recognition that places them among the leading scholars in their field. The applicant must also be eligible for appointment at the Professor level at the University of South Carolina per University policy ACAF 1.06 appointment, in Fall 2026, the Center will have finished its first year of growth and activity. The Executive Director will be charged with overseeing the Center’s future growth including: the recruitment, appointment, and ongoing supervision of tenure-track faculty members as well as additional staff who will hold their appointments within the Center; developing and promoting the curriculum, programming, and other initiatives of the Center; building relationships with key internal and external interested parties regarding Center operations; and overseeing and adhering to a budget for Center operations. The Director should have appropriate administrative experience and a proven ability to work collegially with a wide range of faculty across the University. 

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. 

The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.