Assistant Professor

Boise State University, powered by creativity and innovation, stands uniquely positioned in the Northwest as a metropolitan research university of distinction. Learn more about Boise State and the City of Boise at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/boise-and-beyond/. Boise State University is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, staff, students, and academic program offerings and to strengthening sensitivity to diversity throughout the institution. Boise State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. We are a welcoming campus that supports diversity and inclusion.

Supports the University’s mission of providing student-centered, quality education and is committed to the success of our students and the university. This involves teaching effectiveness, professional development, research and scholarly/creative activities, institutional service, professional and community service, student advising and involvement, and supervisory responsibilities as assigned.

The Assistant Professor is a member of the ranked faculty with an entry-level academic rank who has demonstrated achievement in the areas of teaching; research, scholarship, or creative activities; institutional and professional service appropriate to the discipline and is eligible for tenure.

Essential Functions:

Teaching:

  • Supports the University’s mission of providing student-centered, quality education.
  • Committed to the success of our students and the university.
  • Committed to student learning, retention, persistence, and completion.
  • Teach assigned courses in accordance with the course syllabi and a schedule of classes that may include day, evening, weekend, and distance classes offered at any approved instructional site.
  • Engage in the development of new and creative instructional materials, including new courses and programs of studies.
  • Assist in keeping the curriculum of the program(s) current.
  • Maintain and improve competence in subjects being taught.
  • Advise students and ensure the successful completion of their degree program.
  • Post and hold office hours in a physical and electronic format (to include virtual office hours) as appropriate.
  • Assist with the departmental assessment efforts and plan.
  • Assist with student recruitment, particularly when low student enrollment is an issue in the program.
  • Direct culminating activities for graduate students

Scholarly, creative, or research activities: 

  • Assistant Professors must demonstrate a commitment to their discipline through scholarly and creative activities that fall within Boyer’s four types of scholarship: (1) discovering knowledge, (2) integrating knowledge, (3) applying knowledge, and (4) scholarship of teaching.
  • Conduct research and/or produce scholarly or creative work in accord with the norms in their discipline.
  • Share that work through professionally recognized publications for the type of scholarship.
  • Present that work through professionally recognized forms in professionally recognized venues for the type of scholarship.
  • Engage in professional development.

Service:

  • Each faculty member participates in activities relating to university programs, courses, governance, etc., or community activities that impact on, or are impacted by, the University and which contribute to the growth and development of students, the university, and the community.
  • Faculty must demonstrate a commitment to serving Boise State University, his/her profession, and the community. This type of commitment is demonstrated by service to students (such as advising); participation and leadership in the department, college, or university committees, the faculty senate, and professional organizations; and, as appropriate to their discipline, affairs of the local, state, or national community.
  • Participate actively in assignments necessary to advance the service and/or outreach missions of the department, college, and University, such as serving as a member of the department, college, and/or university committees or councils.
  • Participate actively in professional organizations and perform professional functions such as serving on committees and in leadership roles; as chair, panelist, and discussant at conferences; on editorial boards; refereeing manuscripts and grant applications; and serving on panels for funding agencies.
  • Meet administrative deadlines set by the University for carrying out service responsibilities and submitting required employee materials.
  • Use technology as directed by the University to carry out service responsibilities and receive and submit employee information.

The MFA Program in Creative Writing at Boise State University, a member of The Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor with a specialization in Fiction writing to start Fall 2022.

Candidates must have an M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing in hand by the start date, as well as significant publications; at least one book from a national press is desirable, though applicants with exceptional short story publications, fellowships, and awards are strongly encouraged to apply.

Secondary experience in editing and/or the management of literary journals is also preferred, as well as experience in writing and teaching creative non-fiction.

The new faculty member will teach the MFA workshop in fiction on a rotating schedule, as well as teach graduate courses in the form and theory of fiction and possibly publishing/editing. The faculty member will also be expected to teach fiction and form and theory of fiction at the undergraduate level.

In addition to teaching, the faculty member may eventually participate in the administration of the MFA program, including overseeing the MFA Reading Series. Additional duties may include editing and managing The Idaho Review, and administration of our BFA and BA degrees in creative writing.

Often called the “gem of the university,” the MFA Program at Boise State is the most competitive graduate program on campus with 250 applications received and a 2% acceptance rate. The program has been consistently ranked in the top 50 MFA programs by Poets & Writers magazine. The Huffington Post listed Boise State’s MFA program in their “top 25 underrated programs,” and Publisher’s Weekly named us a “program to be watched.” Recent semester-long visiting writers include Denis Johnson, Joy Williams, Bhanu Kapil, and Anthony Doerr.

Founded in 1998, The Idaho Review regularly has had stories included in The Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Prize Stories, The Pushcart Prize, and New Stories from the South. Past contributors include Joyce Carol Oates, T.C. Boyle, Joy Williams, Rick Moody, Ann Beattie, Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Alejandro Puyana, Sanam Mahloudji, Jackie Thomas-Kennedy, and Brandon Shimoda.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

In accordance with discipline and departmental standards and expectations

• Demonstrated advanced level of oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet required attendance and submission deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to create, articulate, and assess course learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in creating course materials (syllabus, handouts, presentations, etc.) that enhance student interest and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to create and manage effective grading rubrics for consistent and uniform grading results.
• Demonstrated ability to assess student educational goals and to create graduation plans based on those goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage effective, friendly, and civil working relationships with staff, faculty, students, alumni, guests, and others at the university.
• Demonstrated problem solving and abstract thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality work while working independently.
• Demonstrated ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned doctorate, an equivalent terminal degree, or nationally recognized excellence in their field.

Undergraduate Instruction: Hold a degree in the field of instruction (as determined by the discipline) at least one level above that of the program taught.
Graduate Instruction: Hold a terminal degree determined by the discipline and have a record of research, scholarship, or achievement appropriate for the graduate program.

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates must have an M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing in hand by the start date, as well as significant publications; at least one book from a national press is desirable, though applicants with exceptional short story publications, fellowships and awards are strongly encouraged to apply.
Secondary experience in editing and/or the management of literary journals is also preferred, as well as experience in writing and teaching creative non-fiction.

Benefits

Boise State University is committed to offering a benefits package that provides health and financial protection plans as well as resources to promote health and well-being. Our program provides flexibility so you can choose the benefits that are right for you and your family. Learn more about our benefit options at https://www.boisestate.edu/hrs/benefits/.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

For more information on the application: https://careers.pageuppeople.com/978/cw/en-us/job/496024/assistant-professor

Applications close: November 30, 2021 11:55 PM Mountain Standard Time


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