Director, MFA in Creative Writing Program

Texas State University invites applications for a tenure-track Associate Professor to direct Texas State’s nationally recognized MFA in Creative Writing. We seek candidates proven to be highly effective teachers of Creative Writing as well as experienced and innovative program administrators. The Director is the chief academic and administrative officer of the MFA Program, responsible for the overall academic and budgetary leadership for the Program and serving as the liaison with the English Department, the College of Liberal Arts, the university, alumni networks, and the wider writing community. The Director of the MFA Program will bring vision and energy to the duties of instructor, administrator, and writer; will be committed to excellence in mentoring and supporting our MFA cohort; will maintain high standards for literary citizenship in the program community; and will work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines. We seek candidates who share our commitment to education and who are committed to serving in an Hispanic Serving Institution.

The successful applicant is to teach one course per semester, supervise theses, and conduct research that leads to publication. The Director will be expected to teach MFA workshops and seminars, oversee admissions and recruiting for the program, coordinate and develop new curriculum, and assist in programing special events.
 

Appointment begins Spring 2024. The position is subject to the availability of funds.

Required Qualifications

• MFA or PhD in Creative Writing/English
• At least one published book (genre open)
• Experience in program coordination or management
• Experience teaching advanced creative writing workshops and/or seminars
• To be eligible for hire at the associate professor rank, candidate must meet the requirements for that rank as established by the department. The successful applicant will receive the appropriate rank and title based on university and English department established standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to teach under-represented areas in creative writing, including (but not limited to) African American literature, literature of the African diaspora, Latinx literature, Native American literature, Asian American or Pacific Islander literature, or Queer or Trans literature
• Experience teaching MFA workshops and/or seminars
• A record of publication on the national level
• Experience mentoring students looking for a range of creative, scholarly, and professional opportunities after graduation

Only applications submitted through the Texas State University website will be accepted and considered, https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/43411.

To ensure full consideration, please submit the following by September 15, 2023:

1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. A 500 word teaching philosophy that addresses the relationship between creative work and pedagogy
4. A 40-50 page writing sample
5. Unofficial Transcripts
6. Contact information for three references

The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts from all degree granting universities.