E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor in Entrepreneurship

UMSL's Ed G. Smith College of Business is accredited by the AACSB in both business and accounting; less than 2% of business schools worldwide hold this dual accreditation. The Princeton Review ranks the College in the top 3% of business schools nationally, and U.S. News & World Report ranks its international business program among America’s top 25 and its Online MBA program No. 33. The College and the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship support UMSL’s Entrepreneurship programs, including a BSBA emphasis and a minor, and the newly established UMSL Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EIC), which fosters entrepreneurial activities through academic and co-curricular initiatives such as pitch competitions, student organizations, and startup workshops.

About the role

The Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship seeks a tenured faculty member for the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professorship in Entrepreneurship at the rank of full professor or senior associate professor. This position supports the continued success and growth of the entrepreneurship programs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a high-quality research agenda in entrepreneurship, with publications in top-tier academic journals and an active research pipeline.
• Mentor junior faculty members in their research efforts.
• Teach a variety of undergraduate and/or graduate entrepreneurship courses, such as experiential entrepreneurship, new product development, intrapreneurship, and small business management.
• Serve as a lead faculty member in entrepreneurship programs and collaborate with the Director of UMSL EIC to develop hands-on educational opportunities for students and aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
• Provide high-quality service to the Department, College, University, and profession.
• Engage with regional or national entrepreneurial ecosystem stakeholders and participate in university entrepreneurial initiatives.
• Promote leadership opportunities for women in academic, entrepreneurial, cultural, and public service enterprises through engagement with the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Leadership, the Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies, the Des Lee Collaborative, and other community partners.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in entrepreneurship or a related field, completed by the time of appointment.
• Tenured status.

Qualifications

• Strong record of research with publications in top-tier academic journals.
• Teaching excellence in entrepreneurship and related areas across undergraduate, masters, doctoral, and professional education.
• Collegiality and commitment to collaboration with colleagues, including mentoring junior faculty.
• Excellent communication and community engagement skills.
• Evidence of service and leadership in professional associations.

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter describing fit for the position across research, teaching, and service.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Names and contact information of three references.
• A statement of research interests.
• Two sample publications (published or in progress).
• A teaching philosophy statement and teaching evaluations.

Review of applications will begin October 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by video conference, and finalists will be invited for a campus visit.

Benefits

This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement benefits, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For more details, visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.