Associate Professor/Professor for Development of Ethnic Studies (Tenure-Track)

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at University of Portland invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track associate or professor rank faculty position in ethnic studies, beginning in fall 2021 (pending final budget approval). The successful candidate will lead the college’s formation and establishment of a new ethnic studies undergraduate major and minor that work across disciplines. The ethnic studies program will support the university’s mission of embedding diverse perspectives, especially of underrepresented populations, in our curriculum. Candidates should have experience in interdisciplinary and intersectional methods as they relate to ethnic studies. Expertise in an area(s) such as African American, Asian American, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander American Studies is especially welcome. The successful candidate should have higher-education experience commensurate with the rank of at least associate professor and also organizational or administrative experience that gives them the necessary expertise to initiate and oversee the new program.

The establishment of an ethnic studies major and minor is a critical step toward establishment of curricula and high-impact learning opportunities that support our increasingly diverse student body; UP’s first-year class in 2019 was approximately 47% students of color. Pending budget approval and after the successful implementation of new curricula, including a major and a minor, the possibility exists for a future establishment of an ethnic studies department. Thus, the successful candidate will have a unique and creative professional opportunity to lead and shape the direction of important diversity, equity, & inclusion work at UP with an intersectional lens to support our QTBIPOC community. Initially, the successful candidate will join an existing CAS academic department that best aligns with their teaching and research background as they build the program. For more information about the College of Arts & Sciences, please visit http://college.up.edu.

The University is firmly committed to diversifying our curriculum and our faculty; the CAS is also deeply committed to transformative social justice, anti-racism, and equity work with an intersectional lens. To advance our efforts in these areas, we are particularly interested in candidates who have experience successfully engaging with students from underrepresented groups, including those from queer and trans Black, Indigenous, people of color (QTBIPOC) identities. The successful candidate will have demonstrated lived experience, knowledge, skills, and/or success in diversity, equity & inclusion work within or transferable to higher education; these should be described in the cover letter and teaching statement.

Founded in 1901, the University of Portland is a private, comprehensive, Catholic university with a mission (https://www.up.edu/about/mission.html) of teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership. Candidates will articulate their understanding of the University mission in their cover letter and highlight how it is compatible with their approach to teaching, scholarship, and service.

A complete application will include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, a research statement, and names of three references we can contact. Applications will be reviewed starting November 15, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled (https://up.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobid=64934).  Please contact Alejandro Santana and Sarina Saturn, Co-Chairs of the search committee, at santana@up.edu and saturns@up.edu with any questions.

For those requiring a reasonable accommodation to apply: Applicants who have a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources (503) 943-8484. The University of Portland is an Equal Opportunity employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. The University of Portland does not discriminate in its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs, or employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by and consistent with the law. Please see the University’s full Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy here: https://www.up.edu/disclosures/nondiscrimination-policy.html.

A background investigation check is required before final hiring procedures can be completed for all faculty and staff positions.