Assistant Professor, English - Tenure Track Faculty

The Department of English and Creative Writing at Widener University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in English and Creative Writing specializing in Poetry to begin in August 2020.  A secondary expertise in global literatures is strongly desired.  An MFA in Creative Writing or PhD/ABD in English or Creative Writing must be completed by May 2020.  Applicants should be committed to excellence in teaching and advising, have a strong record of publishing, provide evidence of mentoring students in writing and publishing and related career pathways, and be open to working collaboratively in a department and university that values diversity.  Since all faculty in the department teach first-year writing, preparation in writing pedagogy is essential.

The English and Creative Writing faculty, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Widener University are committed to fostering an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.  Those candidates experienced in, or who would enjoy, working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and those who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity, are encouraged to identify their experiences in these areas.

Responsibilities:  Teaching responsibilities in a given semester will typically include two first-year writing courses, one introductory-level course in literature or creative writing, and one upper-division course in the candidate’s area of expertise and interest.  Periodically, the candidate will be expected to teach the Creative Writing program’s senior seminar, and will have the opportunity to design new courses.  Teaching load is 4/3 (12 semester hours/9 semester hours).  Additional responsibilities will include:  advising Widener Ink, our university’s in-house literary journal, managing the Greene Poetry Collection, co-coordinating the Distinguished Visiting Writer Series, and strengthening the literary community at Widener and in Chester and the wider Philadelphia region through planning and participating in open mics, workshops, and other events.

Qualifications:  Minimum requirements are a commitment to undergraduate education and clear evidence of potential as a writing teacher, poet, and scholar.  MFA in Creative Writing or PhD/ABD in English or Creative Writing must be completed by May 2020.  Proficiency in teaching global literatures is highly desired.  The English and Creative Writing Department and Widener University are committed to fostering an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.  Those candidates experienced in, or who would enjoy, working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and those who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences in those areas.

To apply:  Applicants must complete the online application at widener.edu/jobs.  Applicants should submit a letter of application, CV, transcripts, a statement of teaching philosophy, one copy of a syllabus for an introductory-level writing course, one copy of a syllabus for a potential upper-division creative writing course (both should include assignments), and a 20-page sample of the applicant’s poetry.  In addition, three confidential letters of reference should be sent to Arts_and_Sciences@widener.edu.  Please ensure that all documents are submitted as either .docx or .pdf.

Complete applications received by October 1, 2019 will be given full consideration.  Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.