Full professor

Department: Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs

Job Summary

The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs seeks a dynamic and visionary faculty member to serve as the Albert A. Levin Chair in Urban Studies. This is a tenured faculty position that begins August 17, 2026. The School prefers a senior scholar who can be appointed at the rank of full Professor but will consider candidates who qualify for the rank of Associate Professor.

The Albert A. Levin Chair is an endowed professorship in urban studies and public service. In addition to contributing to the Levin School through teaching, research, and service, the Albert A. Levin Chair is expected to engage with the Cleveland and greater Northeast Ohio community in thought leadership, community engagement, and impact. The Chair must have a national reputation for research in their field of expertise within urban public affairs.

The Levin School of Urban Affairs is ranked among the top urban affairs schools in the nation, including #4 in urban policy and #12 in local government. The school is an interdisciplinary home for scholarship and community-engaged research that advances urban innovation and transformation. The school offers four master's degrees including the fully accredited Master of Public Administration and Master of Urban Planning and Development, along with a Master of Nonprofit Administration and Master of Science in Urban Studies. We also have a Ph.D. in Urban Studies & Public Affairs and six undergraduate majors in community planning, environmental studies, nonprofit administration, organizational leadership, public policy and management, and public safety management.

The Levin School is housed within the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, which also includes the School of Education & Counseling, the School of Communication, and the Department of Criminology and Sociology. The Levin College is also home to several research and career enhancement centers such as the Center for Economic Development, the Energy Policy Center, and the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management. This dynamic environment provides opportunities for interdisciplinary, applied, and engaged research and teaching.

Successful candidates will ideally contribute to one of our priority areas of expertise including community development, urban real estate development, environmental planning and policy, sustainability, and/or data science and applications of AI in urban research and practice; although all fields related to urban policy, public administration, and urban planning will be considered.

The Albert A. Levin Chair will report to the Director of the Levin School. In partnership with the Director, the Albert A. Levin Chair will also engage and collaborate with the school's Advisory Committee and numerous active partners, including members of the Greater Cleveland community and professionals from Northeast Ohio's public administration, nonprofit, and urban planning fields. The Albert A. Levin Chair holds a renewable five-year appointment.

CSU aspires to be a national leader in social and economic mobility. We will be a great place to learn and work. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, or a closely related field;
• A record suitable for tenure and rank at Associate Professor or full Professor;
• Strong record of:
  • Public-facing, community engaged scholarship;
  • Nationally- and/or internationally-recognized extensive experience in urban public affairs;
  • Applied and impact-driven research with relevance to Greater Cleveland;
• Well-versed in a broad spectrum of urban issues facing contemporary cities; and
• Excellent communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to be hired at rank of full Professor;
• Familiarity with urban affairs issues relevant to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio;
• Ability to contribute expertise in community development, urban real estate development, environmental planning and policy, sustainability, and/or data science and applications of AI in urban research and practice;
• Track record of high-quality teaching;
• Experience with developing, maintaining, and expanding relationships with community partners;
• Familiarity with management of funds to advance impact-driven public scholarship; and
• Experience in mentorship.

Advertising Copy

Job Summary

The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs seeks a dynamic and visionary faculty member to serve as the Albert A. Levin Chair in Urban Studies. This is a tenured faculty position that begins August 17, 2026. The School prefers a senior scholar who can be appointed at the rank of full Professor but will consider candidates who qualify for the rank of Associate Professor.

The Albert A. Levin Chair is an endowed professorship in urban studies and public service. In addition to contributing to the Levin School through teaching, research, and service, the Albert A. Levin Chair is expected to engage with the Cleveland and greater Northeast Ohio community in thought leadership, community engagement, and impact. The Chair must have a national reputation for research in their field of expertise within urban public affairs.

The Levin School of Urban Affairs is ranked among the top urban affairs schools in the nation, including #4 in urban policy and #12 in local government. The school is an interdisciplinary home for scholarship and community-engaged research that advances urban innovation and transformation. The school offers four master's degrees including the fully accredited Master of Public Administration and Master of Urban Planning and Development, along with a Master of Nonprofit Administration and Master of Science in Urban Studies. We also have a Ph.D. in Urban Studies & Public Affairs and six undergraduate majors in community planning, environmental studies, nonprofit administration, organizational leadership, public policy and management, and public safety management.

The Levin School is housed within the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, which also includes the School of Education & Counseling, the School of Communication, and the Department of Criminology and Sociology. The Levin College is also home to several research and career enhancement centers such as the Center for Economic Development, the Energy Policy Center, and the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management. This dynamic environment provides opportunities for interdisciplinary, applied, and engaged research and teaching.

Successful candidates will ideally contribute to one of our priority areas of expertise including community development, urban real estate development, environmental planning and policy, sustainability, and/or data science and applications of AI in urban research and practice; although all fields related to urban policy, public administration, and urban planning will be considered.

The Albert A. Levin Chair will report to the Director of the Levin School. In partnership with the Director, the Albert A. Levin Chair will also engage and collaborate with the school's Advisory Committee and numerous active partners, including members of the Greater Cleveland community and professionals from Northeast Ohio's public administration, nonprofit, and urban planning fields. The Albert A. Levin Chair holds a renewable five-year appointment.

CSU aspires to be a national leader in social and economic mobility. We will be a great place to learn and work. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Public Administration, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, or a closely related field;
• A record suitable for tenure and rank at Associate Professor or full Professor;
• Strong record of:
  • Public-facing, community engaged scholarship;
  • Nationally- and/or internationally-recognized extensive experience in urban public affairs;
  • Applied and impact-driven research with relevance to Greater Cleveland;
• Well-versed in a broad spectrum of urban issues facing contemporary cities; and
• Excellent communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to be hired at rank of full Professor;
• Familiarity with urban affairs issues relevant to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio;
• Ability to contribute expertise in community development, urban real estate development, environmental planning and policy, sustainability, and/or data science and applications of AI in urban research and practice;
• Track record of high-quality teaching;
• Experience with developing, maintaining, and expanding relationships with community partners;
• Familiarity with management of funds to advance impact-driven public scholarship; and
• Experience in mentorship.

Applicant Instructions:
Applications will only be accepted online at . Preference will be given to applications received by November 30, 2025. All inquiries about the position should be directed to the search committee chair, Meg Rubado at [email protected] .

List of required documents applicant is to submit:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement
• Teaching Statement, with a summary of course evaluations (if available)
• Name and contact information of three references - references will be contacted via automated email to provide a letter of support

CSU is an urban university with more than 14,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see .

Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University's verification of credentials (including evidence of a Ph.D., if applicable) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.