Lecturer III in Latin American Studies

The Latin American & Iberian Institute (LAII) at the University of New Mexico invites applications for a full time, faculty position as Lecturer III in Latin American Studies to begin August 1, 2025. The position is renewable and offers opportunities for advancement to Senior and Principal Lecturer ranks (Faculty Handbook B3.3). The appointment is based on a 9-month academic calendar. The program seeks an interdisciplinary scholar, who can teach compelling, accessible undergraduate courses on Latin America. UNM has a depth of faculty expertise in Latin America, a border location, and status as a Hispanic Serving Institution: the ideal candidate will provide leadership to develop a more robust and transformative undergraduate LAS program, which reaches students across campus.

The successful candidate will develop and teach lower-level LAS courses, including Introduction to Latin American Studies as a Gen Ed course (https://gened.unm.edu/); “big ideas” courses on topics with wide appeal (such as environment and sustainability or Indigenous community rights); a practicum in Latin American Studies focused on experiential learning and/or supervision of independent experiential learning; a capstone or honors project course; and the core interdisciplinary course LTAM 360 Latin American Culture & Society, in a shared rotation. They will advise undergraduate majors and minors. The Lecturer will work closely with the director of the Latin American Studies program to develop initiatives in one or more of the following areas: promote LAS across campus; expand degree options and/or certificate programs; develop experiential and engaged learning opportunities, such as internships or study abroad; career planning and professionalization resources; and collaborate with Central New Mexico Community College’s Latin American Studies program. All Lecturers are reviewed annually. Workload is determined by the Latin American Studies Program.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities, are central to the core mission of the LAII and the LAS program.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. PhD in Latin American Studies or related discipline, with a specialization in Latin America by August 1, 2025.
2. Experience as instructor of record at an academic institution of higher education

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Demonstrated strength and experience in teaching at the undergraduate level
2. Research and/or teaching related to Latin America, with preferred fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, or an Indigenous Latin American language
3. Experience teaching interdisciplinary courses at the undergraduate level
4. Experience advising undergraduate students in academic and career paths
5. Experience teaching, leading or developing programs in experiential learning
6. Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor diverse students at the undergraduate level
7. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities

Application Deadline and Procedures: Review of applications begins December 6, 2024, for best consideration, and continues until the position is successfully filled. For complete details of this position and to apply, please visit this website: https://unmjobs.unm.edu/ and reference Posting Number req31475 A complete application consists of the following documents:

1. Cover letter that addresses stated responsibilities, experience, and preferred qualifications (please address each of them when applicable)
2. Teaching portfolio including a teaching statement (https://ctl.unm.edu/assets/docs/resources/constructing-teaching-statement.pdf), samples of teaching materials, materials to conduct professional development activities, student evaluations for the past two years (if available); and a reflection on student evaluations and or changes implemented in response to student performance
3. Curriculum vitae
4. Statement addressing commitment to and experience working with a diverse student body
5. Names and addresses of three referees. Semi-finalists will be asked to provide a letter of reference from one of the referees addressing the applicant’s teaching as outlined in the Preferred Qualifications; the two additional referees will be contacted by phone.
6. Candidates without a PhD in hand must submit with their application a letter from their PhD advisor confirming their completion date.

Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM. Direct any phone inquiries to Liz Castillo (eac@unm.edu), Search Coordinator, at 505-277-2961 or Kathryn McKnight (mcknight@unm.edu), Search Committee Chair, at 505-277-2961.

The University of New Mexico has a long and distinguished history of emphasizing Latin American scholarship, research, and teaching. Latin American Studies is the academic program of the Latin American and Iberian Institute (LAII), which fosters research and education within UNM about the cultures, languages, history, and societies of these world regions, and collaborates with partners including Central New Mexico Community College, K-12 schools, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Instituto Cervantes, and other community organizations. The LAS program is an interdisciplinary program that grants BA, MA, and PhD degrees. UNM has over 100 faculty engaged in research or teaching on Latin America, with a thriving MA degree program, including dual degree programs with professional schools, and a FLAS grant to support the study of less-commonly-taught languages.

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is the premier research university in the state of New Mexico. We are a Carnegie R1 Highest Research Activity Institution, a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, and a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. UNM is located in Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico. Albuquerque is an ethnically diverse metropolitan area of over a half million residents that has been listed as one of the best small cities in the U.S. by National Geographic Traveler. The city has a rich culture and a location offering unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure. Learn more about our city here (https://unmfirst.unm.edu/why-choose-us/why-albuquerque.html). The University is located within one hour of Santa Fe, three hours of Taos, and within minutes of the Sandia and Manzano mountain ranges, which offer great opportunities for hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

New Mexico is a majority minority state with a long and rich cultural heritage that prioritizes advancement, equity, and accessibility. In the 2023 legislative session, a few of the key bills passed included free school meals of all K-12 students, establishing the Native American Voting Rights Act, establishing permanent funding for land and water conservation, and expanding protections offered under the Human Rights Act, just to name a few. To learn more about our 2023 legislative session, read here. Equality New Mexico, one of our leading non-profit organizations for equal rights, further expanded that the 2023 legislative session was the most successful session for LGBTQ issues, including bill HB7 that legally affirmed all New Mexicans protected access to reproductive and gender affirming care. The Land of Enchantment continues to welcome all who wish to call it home.

To learn more about UNM, living in New Mexico, our values, and our culture visit here:

• https://unmfirst.unm.edu/why-choose-us/index.html
• https://advance.unm.edu/why-unm/
• https://www.newmexico.org/
• https://advance.unm.edu/why-abq/