Nora Reikosky is the 2024-2025 Elizabeth D. Rockwell Visiting Professor on Ethics and Leadership. Reikosky comes to Houston with a Ph.D. in education and political science from the University of Pennsylvania. She will teach undergraduates contemporary political philosophy and policy. Her research focuses on the role of wealthy plutocratic actors, like philanthropists and philanthropic corporations, in shaping the priorities and purposes of public education.  

2023-2024 Visiting Professor  

Nora Reikosky, Visiting Associate Professor  

Nora Reikosky attained her joint Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Education, Culture and Society Program in the Graduate School of Education and the Department of Political Theory in the School of Arts and Sciences.  

During her visiting professorship, Reikosky will develop essential scholarship on the politics of education, focusing on the ethics of private philanthropic and corporate actors engaged with shaping the priorities and purpose of public education. At a time when education matters lead local and national policy agendas, her work will position the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center and the Hobby School to be leaders in the field.  

Her scholarship focuses on the ways race, class and gender function in the political discourse and projects of powerful private actors who are involved in centering schools as sites of workforce training and racial uplift while leaving other exploitative structures unchanged. Using approaches from political theory, American Political Development, American Political Economy and critical discourse analysis, Reikosky’s work explores the impact and stakes of private actors in public institutions. She also delves into the privatization of public education. 

Visiting Professor of Ethics and Leadership Program 

The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership at the Hobby School of Affairs invites applications for a visiting professor position. The fellowship is for a one-year term with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Competitive candidates should have a Ph.D. in political theory, social and political philosophy, ethics or leadership studies with some connection to public policy. 

This position aims to provide junior researchers who have recently earned their PhDs with an opportunity to develop their research program and connect with people in their field before taking on a tenure-track position. Teaching and service expectations are relatively light. The visiting professor will teach one course per semester during each semester's appointment or, occasionally in lieu of teaching, perform some service for the EDR Center such as organizing an academic conference. The visiting professor will also be expected to attend events sponsored by the Elizabeth Rockwell Center and possibly help plan some events. 

The salary range is $65,000-$85,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications, plus medical and other benefits. There is also $4,000 per year in discretionary research funds for conferences, books and research travel. A small moving stipend will also be available. Applicants should have earned their Ph.D. before beginning this position. 

Applications for this position should include:  

• A formal letter of application detailing your interest in this position and relevant qualifications 
• A curriculum vitae 
• One research article or dissertation chapter 
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available (e.g., student evaluations, a teaching observation, a brief assessment by a professor for whom you were a teaching assistant) 
• Three letters of reference 

Applications for the 2026-2027 EDR Center Visiting Professor will open next fall (2025). 

 Revised 8/28/24