Assistant Professor of English and Director of First-Year Courses

The Department of English in the School of the Humanities at Messiah University invites applications for a faculty position in Assistant Professor of English and Director of First-Year Courses beginning August 1, 2021.

Responsibilities: The position includes a 3-3 teaching load in upper-level writing courses, courses in the first-year interdisciplinary writing program, and possibly literature; administrative leadership of the first-year courses program; and active research and service agendas.

Qualifications: We seek a dynamic teacher committed to working closely with undergraduate students in a Christian university environment. Successful candidates must demonstrate experience in and an ability to teach diverse writing courses, such as digital writing, multimodal composition, new media storytelling, writing for social change, professional writing, and first-year writing. The best candidates will be conversant with the ways theories about race, culture, and inclusive excellence impact the practice of writing. The best candidates will demonstrate the ability to contribute to other curricular needs in the department and university, such as diverse American or global literatures, digital humanities, or public humanities. Evidence of administrative ability to work with faculty and develop first-year programming for students across the curriculum is required as is an ability to contribute to other departmental and institutional service. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated record of publication, excellence in teaching, and experience leading first-year programs, writing programs, or writing centers. PhD in English, Writing, or Composition/Rhetoric preferred.

The Program: The English program at Messiah University assists students in studying a wide array of literary and professional texts using a variety of critical thinking and writing skills to help them become perceptive readers, insightful thinkers, and responsible writers. Professors encourage students to develop perspectives on the relationship of Christian faith to all aspects of reading and writing. Because many careers call for close analysis and interpretation of texts as well as fluency in writing, the study of English prepares students for success in a variety of fields.

The Department: The Messiah University English Department is a vibrant community of teachers and scholars who are guided by the understanding that language significantly shapes our identity, deepens our interactions with others, and enables us to change the world. The major emphasizes the interdependence of creativity, theory, and vocation. Therefore, the curriculum offers a comprehensive education in literature, theory, creative writing and professional writing that invites students to participate in the diverse literary traditions in English; encourages students to appreciate and critically understand the many cultures that have embraced English; fosters students’ empathy, imagination, and critical thinking; and enlarges students’ awareness of the complexity of human experience and God’s grace. Students begin the English major with two introductory courses that emphasize close reading and research methods for critical, professional and creative writing, and then choose from a range of upper-division courses in literary theories and methodologies; diverse literatures in English organized around key questions of faith, literary history, culture and identity, and form and genre; and writing courses in poetry, fiction, literary non-fiction, writing for social change, and professional writing. English majors can concentrate in literature, professional writing, or creative writing or complete the state credentialing program in partnership with the Education Department to pursue careers in secondary education. The department also offers minors in English, creative writing, and the digital public humanities, as well as many enrichment opportunities, including interdisciplinary study, undergraduate research, and honors projects; internships with museums, libraries, publishers, and non-profit organizations; study-abroad semesters and short-term trips around the world; digital projects; and service-learning. We are committed as an institution and department to promoting inclusive excellence through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that enables educators and students to embrace diversity.

The University: Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences and has a student body of over 2,700 undergraduate students including 14.4% under-represented and 4.1% international students from 28 countries and over 600 graduate students including 16.4% of students from under-represented populations.

The University is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. Messiah University is a teaching institution that emphasizes instruction but values research and public service. Strong support is given to faculty development in teaching and scholarship.

Diversity: Messiah University’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that enables educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and cultural intelligence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.

Compensation: Salary and rank commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applications/Nominations: Application materials will be reviewed upon receipt and will be accepted until the position is filled. Please provide a current curriculum vitae or resume as well as a letter of interest that clearly explains how your Christian faith represents a strong fit with the mission of Messiah University, which is “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society."

Curriculum Vitae must include: (1) education, (2) previous employment history, (3) scholarly and professional accomplishments (e.g., papers, publications), (4) membership in scholarly, professional, or honor societies, and (5) awards and honors received.

Applications received by February 10, 2021 will receive priority consideration.

Questions regarding the position may be directed to Kerry Hasler-Brooks, English Department Chair. For more information regarding application materials and to apply, please see: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/18159.

Messiah University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color,  sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, or veteran’s status in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs. Consistent with our nondiscrimination statement, the University does not tolerate abuse or harassment of employees, students or other individuals associated with the University. This includes, but is not limited to, vendors, contractors, and guests on the basis of, but not limited to, any of the above categories.