Museum Studies Assistant Professor

About Western Illinois University:

Western Illinois University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, serves over 7,500 students at its traditional, residential four-year campus in Macomb, IL and its metropolitan branch campus in Moline, IL. Compliance to state and federal hiring standards is coordinated through WIU's Office of Equal Opportunity & Access.

Western Illinois University is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, veterans, women and individuals with disabilities. WIU has a non-discrimination policy that includes discrimination based on an individual's membership in the following classes: sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other classes protected by state or federal law.

Job Description:

APPOINTMENT: August 2021

RESPONSIBILITIES: Teach Museum Studies graduate courses focused on museums' core functions including Administration, Exhibitions, Curation, Education, Collections, Visitors' Studies and New Media including digital and specialty electives highlighting new advancements in the field especially inclusivity and diversity.  Assist with recruiting and alumni events.  Supervise Internships and other external placements.  

RANK & SALARY:  Assistant Professor, tenure-track. Salary competitive.  Western Illinois University offers a competitive benefits package including domestic partner benefits. For full benefit information visit: http://www.wiu.edu/vpas/human_resources/benefits/.

Requirements:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  PHD in Museum Studies or in a related discipline such as Museum Education, Exhibitions, Art History, History, Anthropology or Education.  An ABD candidate will be considered at the Instructor rank with the understanding that completion of the terminal degree must be completed within one year of hire. Significant experience in both teaching in the academic setting and with positions within the museum profession such as Director, Curator, Educator or Collection Manager. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: PhD in Museum Studies or in a related discipline such as Museum Education, Exhibitions, Art History, History, Anthropology, Archaeology or Education. Significant record of employment in museums either as an employee or consultant with a record of museum exhibitions, publications, and lectures.  At least 3 years of successful university teaching experience and a record of scholarly articles or books as the author or as a contributor to an edited volume. Knowledge of current technology relevant to the Museum Field including designing Online and Hybrid courses. 

For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be "in hand" at the time of application.

Additional Information:

THE DEPARTMENT: The Museum Studies Program is  part of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at the Quad Cities campus.  The program offers coursework through the departments of Art, and Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration working in conjunction with museum professionals at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. For more information about the  Museum Studies Program visit:   http://www.wiu.edu/cofac/qc/museumstudies

THE UNIVERSITY: Since 1902, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.

More than 66 undergraduate degree programs, nearly 40 graduate programs and two doctoral programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation. Outside the classroom at Western, concerts, lectures, presentations, films, dance performances and more are performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, as well as a variety of service-oriented projects and activities, all in a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The Multicultural Center is home to four cultural and resource centers: The Gwendolyn Brooks, Casa Latina, the Women's Center, and the LGBT*QA Resource Center. These cultural and resource centers promote WIU's goal of enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through educational programming and advocacy.

The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 19 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. Football competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision through the Missouri Valley Football Conference; all other varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Summit League

WIU-Macomb, IL (Student Population: 6,432): A traditional, residential four-year campus with  offering a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, WIU-Macomb is located in the heart of west central Illinois in Macomb (population 20,000). Amtrak provides twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in-between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).

WIU-Quad Cities (Student Population: 1,192): The only public university in the Quad Cities area, WIU-QC offers select undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education and a doctorate in environmental studies, at its metropolitan, non-residential campus in Moline, IL.

Application Instructions:

 APPLICATION: Complete applications include:

1) a letter of application

2) A detailed curriculum vitae including list of courses taught, exhibitions curated and publications written

3) the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three current professional references

4) One-page statement of teaching philosophy

5) a separate statement regarding your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Please upload the requested documents by clicking APPLY NOW or by navigating to the WIU Employment page at the following URL http://www.wiu.edu/employment/

**Note** In order to upload Individual documents must be under 2 MB in size.

Screening will begin on January 4, 2021.

Western Illinois University endeavors to provide a safe environment for its employees and students and requires candidates to submit to a background investigation upon offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon compliance with University policies and procedures relating to the receipt and evaluation of information contained in the background investigation. 

Questions regarding the search may be directed to: Dr. Pamela White at  pj-white@wiu.edu

For assistance with the online application system contact the Office of Human Resources at (309)298-1971 or via email at academicpersonnel@wiu.edu.

URL: www.wiu.edu/cofac/qc/museumstudies/