Assistant Professor - English; African-American Literature

The Department of English at the State University of New York College at Oneonta invites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor of English with a focus on African Diaspora Literature. We seek a scholar with primary specialization in African-American and/or Afro-Latinx literature and culture. The appointment begins Fall 2021 and is part of a cohort of four new faculty in the School of Liberal Arts whose expertise includes one or more aspects of the African diaspora or the Spanish speaking world. Expectations include, but are not limited to, teaching, research, student advisement, college service, and continuing professional development. The new assistant professor will have the opportunity to participate in cross-disciplinary teaching initiatives.

SUNY Oneonta is a public college in Central New York, enrolling about 6,500 students in bachelor’s, master’s and graduate certificate programs. Most of SUNY Oneonta’s main campus lies within the City of Oneonta, which is located in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains, about a four-hour drive from New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. With a population just shy of 14,000, the City of Oneonta is the largest municipality in a rural region dominated by agriculture and tourism.

Known as an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, SUNY Oneonta is a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Employees give SUNY Oneonta high marks for work/life balance and culture. The College’s indeed.com and glassdoor.com ratings are 4.5 and 4.1, respectively.

Beyond campus, many residents enjoy the natural beauty of the Catskills. Outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and running are among the most popular. Several ski areas nearby typically operate for seasons lasting over 100 days beginning in late November or early December. During the summer, boating, swimming and other water sports are popular on lakes throughout the region.

English is one of the larger departments in the College, with 12 full-time professors offering more than 90 different courses in composition, creative and professional writing, literature, linguistics, and critical theory. We have nearly 200 majors in English and about one hundred elementary education majors with an English concentration. English majors may pursue a literature or a writing concentration, as well as a dual English/ Adolescence Education—English degree. To learn more about the College or the Department, please visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/ or https://suny.oneonta.edu/english.

Duties include but not limited to: teaching and developing courses in literature, composition, and Africana and Latinx Studies (specific courses to be determined by the candidate’s expertise), and teaching other courses to meet department needs; conducting research in the candidate’s area of expertise; serving on departmental and college-wide committees; advising students; participation in cross-disciplinary initiatives.

Required qualifications: terminal degree (ABD considered; completion required by time of first renewal notification) in English or related field with primary specialization in African-American and/or Afro-Latinx literature and culture. 

Preferred: expertise in both of the above areas or expertise in additional areas such as Africana Studies, Black Studies, Native American Literature, Post-Colonial, Women’s or Queer Literatures; ability to contribute to existing departmental areas such as rhetoric and composition, professional writing, creative writing, or environmental literature; experience working with diverse populations and/or teaching pedagogies and/or multicultural teaching experience.

To apply online go to:  http://oneonta.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=126753   Please upload a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, writing sample, and statement of teaching philosophy that includes experience working with diverse populations, experience with multicultural teaching pedagogies, or multicultural teaching experience. The committee also welcomes up to two supplemental documents, such as syllabi or scholarly articles. Contact information for three professional references is required; official graduate transcripts will be required at time of appointment.

For other employment and regional opportunities, please visit our website at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/about-oneonta/employment.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

SUNY Oneonta values a diverse college community. Please visit our website on diversity at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/diversity. Moreover, the College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.