Job Description
Job Description
Position: Director, Center for the New American Education (CNEA)
School: School of Education and Social Policy
Division: Education
Institution: Merrimack College
Location: North Andover, MA
Appointment Type: Full-time; 12-month administrative appointment with tenured
Full Professor faculty appointment
Anticipated Start Date: Fall 2026 (or earlier, by mutual agreement)
Reports to: Vice President of Research (Center Director role) and Academic Dean, Education(faculty role)
Merrimack College invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Center for the New American Education (CNAE). Launching in Fall 2026, CNAE is envisioned as a research and innovation hub dedicated to reimagining the educational experience - from preschool through technical and higher education - to maximize the return on education for individuals and society. The Center’s mission is to develop and scale evidence-driven models that improve student success, career readiness, and social mobility, with a strong focus on inclusion, affordability, and outcomes-based accountability.
This is a unique opportunity for a bold, visionary leader to shape new local, state and national models for educational innovation, and grow Merrimack College as a hub for education policy, applied research, and scalable impact.
What We Offer
The successful candidate will receive a highly competitive salary and start-up package to facilitate the growth of their research program at Merrimack College, which is located 25 miles north of Boston and has collaborations with a variety of institutions in the metro Boston area. We are dedicated to providing the necessary resources and infrastructure to enable our faculty to achieve their research goals and contribute to developing a cutting-edge research environment, including a robust Office of Sponsored Programs to support extramurally funded research. We also prioritize ongoing professional development to help our faculty remain at the forefront of their respective fields.
Join Our Mission
Join us in our mission to create a research university that serves as a hub for innovation and applied impact. We believe in the transformative power of research to enlighten minds, engage hearts, and empower lives. By focusing on the development of research clusters, labs, and research centers, we aim to foster collaboration, drive technological advancements, and contribute to solving global challenges. The School of Education and Social Policy is deeply invested in emerging fields, and this position will play a critical role in advancing our commitment to interdisciplinary learning, applied research, and societal impact.
Position Overview
The School of Education and Social Policy at Merrimack College invites applications for this full-time, 12-month administrative leadership position of Director, Center of the New American Education, housed in the Division of Education. We seek a scholar and educator who will contribute to the continued growth of our innovative programs, advance interdisciplinary research, and support the College’s mission of fostering academic excellence and community engagement.
Merrimack College is a growing, dynamic institution rooted in the Catholic, Augustinian tradition and committed to innovative, mission-driven education. The Center for the New American Education will be a cornerstone of Merrimack’s ambition to lead the national conversation on the future of education - combining rigorous research, equity-driven innovation, and deep community engagement.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision
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Lead the design, launch, and long-term strategy of CNAE in alignment with Merrimack’s mission and Augustinian values.
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Define and pursue a bold research and innovation agenda centered on educational ROI, access, and social mobility.
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Position the Center as a thought leader and trusted partner in rethinking preK–16 education in both traditional and technical arenas.
External Partnerships & Resource Development
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Cultivate strategic partnerships with K–12 districts, community colleges, industry partners, and government agencies to co-develop innovative educational pathways.
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Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing and relationship development with foundations, state/federal funders, and philanthropic partners.
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Drive commercialization of educational tools, curricula, or platforms when appropriate.
Team Leadership & Program Oversight
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Direct and support a collaborative team, including at least one full-time staff member, affiliated faculty and postdoctoral fellows, doctoral students, and research assistants.
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Foster an inclusive and intellectually dynamic culture that supports high-impact scholarship and community-engaged work.
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Collaborate closely with Merrimack’s new EdD program to align CNAE’s research with doctoral training.
Public Engagement & Institutional Visibility
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Represent CNAE at national conferences, policy forums, and convenings.
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Serve as a spokesperson on issues related to educational ROI, career-aligned learning, and equity in access.
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Elevate Merrimack’s visibility as a leader in education innovation through publications, media, and thought leadership.
Required Qualifications
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Ph.D. in Education, Economics, Public Policy, or closely related field.
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Academic qualifications and a scholarly record consistent with appointment as a Full Professor.
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Nationally recognized expertise in educational innovation, education policy, or educational economics.
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Demonstrated success in securing major research grants or contracts.
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Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and managing complex projects or initiatives.
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A deep commitment to advancing educational equity, access, and affordability.
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Experience building partnerships across K-12, postsecondary, and workforce sectors; strongly preferred.
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Prior leadership experience, strongly preferred.
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Experience translating research into policy or practice, and engaging with diverse stakeholders, strongly preferred.
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Familiarity with vocational and technical programs, community college systems, early college or dual enrollment programs, and career-connected learning models; strongly preferred.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials through ADP:
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Cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in Merrimack College.
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Curriculum Vitae.
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Research statement highlighting current work and future plans.
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Teaching philosophy statement, with attention to experiential learning and accessibility.
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Names and contact information for three professional references.
Note: applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, only
applications received by October 10th are guaranteed full consideration.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students from 46 states and 45 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused academic programs in science, engineering, business, nursing, health sciences, education, social sciences and humanities across undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business, and the Graduate School of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Professions-focused, Undergraduate/Graduate-Master’s Large/Medium institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 37th in the Regional Universities North category in 2025. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.