Des Lee Endowed Professor in Music Education

Hiring Department

Department of Music Education, University of Missouri, St. Louis (UMSL)

Job Description

The University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) is seeking nominations and applications for the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professorship in Music Education, a joint appointment between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education.

The professor will direct the E. Desmond Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative and assume a senior leadership position in music education for the Department of Music. The E. Desmond Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative, a unique fine arts alliance established in 1996, links UMSL and 26 area arts organizations, including the St Louis Symphony and Opera Theatre St Louis, to schools in under-resourced school districts in the metropolitan area. UMSL is a leader in developing partnerships with key institutions in the St. Louis region. The professorship is also one of 35 endowed professorships comprising the Des Lee Collaborative Vision (DLCV). Faculty positions that are part of the DLCV are distinct from more traditional academic positions because a primary responsibility of a DLCV professor is community outreach and engagement.

This endowed position seeks a collegial, collaborative, and community-engaged artist-scholar who is an energetic, innovative, and visionary leader, as well as an articulate advocate for the arts. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong record of developing meaningful, reciprocal partnerships with external arts organizations, schools, and community. We seek an thoughtful communicator who builds trust, values all perspectives, and engages authentically and respectfully across contexts. In keeping with the Des Lee Collaborative Vision, the candidate will be broadly interactive and interdisciplinary, with demonstrated interest in engaging scholars across fields and connecting the arts to the wider public through sustained, collaborative, and mutually beneficial work.

This position is a twelve-month faculty appointment at the rank of associate or full professor. The salary is competitive, negotiable, and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The professor will be expected to teach three courses or the equivalent per year, to be determined by mutual agreement of the professor and the chairs of the academic units. Appropriate research/creative activity is an expectation.

Qualifications

Qualifications include a terminal degree in music education and an outstanding record of scholarly and/or administrative achievement in music education. Successful experiences in grant writing, as well as budget implementation and management, are highly desirable.

Application Materials

The application review process will begin October 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The position will be available starting August 2027. For further information please contact the Chair of the search committee, Dr. Andy Goodman, goodmanjam@umsl.edu. For full consideration, candidates must provide a cover letter outlining qualifications and interests and detailed curriculum vitae.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship may be available for candidates currently in the United States in H-1B status or other work-authorized status.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.