Assistant Professor

Description:

San Diego State University seeks to hire a tenure-track Assistant Professor with specialization in recreation management. We seek candidates whose scholarship and teaching focus on recreation, leisure, sport, tourism, community development, outdoor recreation, visitor experiences, destination management, recreation planning, sustainable recreation and tourism systems, or related areas. Preference will be given to candidates whose work demonstrates strong engagement with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and private-sector recreation and tourism organizations. We are particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to community-engaged scholarship, applied research, and high-impact experiential learning opportunities for students.

Apply via PageUp by November 1, 2026.

The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach to preparing future leaders in hospitality, recreation, tourism, and sport industries. Located in one of the world's premier recreation and tourism destinations, the School emphasizes experiential learning, community engagement, leadership development, and applied scholarship that addresses contemporary challenges facing local, regional, and global communities. The School is particularly committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive recreation, sport, and tourism systems that enhance community well-being, social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and quality of life. This position represents an opportunity to contribute to a collaborative academic community dedicated to generating impactful scholarship and preparing future professionals to address the opportunities and challenges facing recreation, sport, and tourism organizations worldwide. To learn more, please visit https://htm.sdsu.edu/

Qualifications

Required qualifications by date of application
 

• A record of original research / scholarly / creative accomplishments and demonstrated capacity to a) develop a vigorous and independent program of research / scholarship / creative activity, b) teach graduate and undergraduate courses; and c) engage in both campus and professional service activities.
• Demonstration of past accomplishments and/or future plans in at least two (2) or more of the “Building on Inclusive Excellence” criteria .
   

Required Qualifications By Date Of Hire
 

• Terminal degree in Recreation Management, Leisure Studies, Tourism Management, Sport Management, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Sociology, Geography, or a closely related field, with all degree requirements met.
   

Preferred Qualifications
 

• Demonstrated expertise in recreation, leisure, sport, tourism, community development, outdoor recreation, recreation planning, parks and protected area management, destination management, visitor experience management, sustainable tourism and destination stewardship, sport for development, event and festival management, leisure behavior, or related fields.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and/or external funding.
• Demonstrated proficiency in interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to research, teaching, and service.
• Experience working with public-sector agencies, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and/or private-sector recreation and tourism enterprises.
• Demonstrated experience conducting community-engaged scholarship, applied research, participatory research, or other forms of collaborative inquiry with external partners.
• Potential for securing extramural funding and developing community-engaged research partnerships.
• University-level teaching experience, including teaching students from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to direct advanced undergraduate and/or graduate student research.
• Experience developing and implementing high-impact educational practices, experiential learning opportunities, and community-engaged projects.
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships that create internship, fieldwork, service-learning, or applied research opportunities for students.
   

Application Instructions

Apply via PageUp by November 1, 2026, providing the following materials:
 

• Cover letter, indicating how the applicant meets or will meet required qualifications, preferred qualifications, and “Building on Inclusive Excellence” criteria
• Curriculum vita
• 2 letters of recommendation with referee contact details