Governors State University Hiring for Visiting Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies at Governors State University, IL, IL Full Time

Governors State University (University Park IL) is a minority-serving institution inviting applications for a full-time visiting faculty position in Interdisciplinary Studies to begin in the Fall 2024 semester. This position is a 12-month contract with a teaching load of 27 credit hours (9 courses) across fall, spring, and summer semesters. A Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies or a related Social Sciences field is required prior to appointment in August 2024, ABD in the final stages of completion will also be considered.

We seek candidates with strong capacity and passion for teaching, interest and experience working with diverse and non-traditional student populations, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, who would complement our existing faculty strengths in our Interdisciplinary Studies baccalaureate program. The candidate will teach IDSS core and elective courses such as the Research Project Capstone, Service-Learning Capstone, Interdisciplinary Theories, Career Planning, and Academic Writing Strategies. An interest and ability to teach general-education courses such as Interdisciplinary Humanities First Year Seminar or courses in Gender & Sexuality Studies, Global Studies, Black & Africana Studies, Religious Studies, Social Sciences, or elsewhere in the division is also valued. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and first-generation college graduates are especially encouraged to apply.

Governors State University is the only regional public comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving approximately 5500 students annually. Since its founding in 1969, GSU has offered accessible, high-value educational opportunities to a culturally diverse student body of first-generation students, returning adults, and veterans. With the lowest undergraduate tuition in Illinois, GSU offers accredited programs that have earned high praise from national accrediting agencies. GSU accepted its inaugural class of first-year students in 2014, transitioning from an upper-division and graduate institution into a regional comprehensive university with a state-of-the-art general education program. New faculty at GSU must demonstrate enthusiasm and ability to work with students at all levels, from first-year to graduate.
Through its strategic planning, GSU emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university’s academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasingly numerous hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value. Our innovative lower-division program uses high-impact practices to foster student engagement with ethics, citizenship, and innovative thinking. Every first-year class is taught by a full-time faculty member to ensure that students have a strong foundation for their studies. GSU is a national leader in successful transfer of community college students to universities, and is leading through the Kresge-supported Dual Degree Program, with features such as tuition lock-in at GSU for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time. GSU offers a wide variety of master’s programs and several applied doctoral degrees in health, counseling fields, and Interdisciplinary Leadership.

GSU’s 750-acre campus encompasses the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park yet is conveniently located within easy reach of Chicago and surrounding communities with a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. The highly diverse region GSU serves has a number of high-performing schools and engaged communities as well as struggling urban, suburban, and rural communities. GSU serves as a public square, working to foster educational opportunities for all populations.

It is the policy of Governors State University, in its role as educator, employer, and purchaser of goods and services, to provide equal opportunity and affirmative action. Discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.

Salary and benefits package are commensurate with education and experience.Required and Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

1. Ph.D.in Interdisciplinary Studies or a related Social Sciences field (Anthropology, Geography, Sociology, etc.); ABD in the final stages of completion will also be considered.
2. Experience teaching courses such as academic writing, career planning, interdisciplinary research methods, and/or interdisciplinary theories.
3. Experience teaching online courses.
4. Evidence of teaching excellence.
5. Experience teaching first-generation, returning adult, culturally diverse, and/or non-traditional students.
6. Documented record of ability to make scholarly contributions through publications and/or presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated ability to infuse courses with scholarship related to underrepresented and marginalized groups.
2. Ability to teach Interdisciplinary Humanities First Year Seminar or courses in Gender & Sexuality Studies,
3. Global Studies, Black & Africana Studies, Religious Studies, Social Sciences, or elsewhere in the Division of Arts & Letters.
4. Ability to complement IDSS program strengths.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, sample syllabi, statement of teaching philosophy, unofficial transcripts, and list of 3-4 references by April 15, 2024 to receive full consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will only be contacted prior to interviews.

QUESTIONS: contact search committee chair Ben Almassi ([email protected])