Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

The Creative Writing Program at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time non-continuing faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences, in the general area of Poetry. Appointment to this position will be for a term of one year, beginning fall semester of 2021, and will carry the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor. We seek candidates with a strong record of achievement in undergraduate teaching, and a firm commitment to diversity and equity in education.

Founded in 1833, Oberlin is a private four-year, selective liberal arts college near Cleveland, Ohio, and is also home to an outstanding Conservatory of Music. Together, the two divisions enroll approximately 2900 students. Oberlin College was the first college in the US to make interracial education and co-education central to its mission. The College continues to view a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational environment as essential to the excellence of its academic program. Among liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is a national leader in successfully placing graduates into PhD programs.

Oberlin’s Creative Writing Program was one of the first free-standing undergraduate programs in creative writing in the country, offering its own major since 1975. We require our students to undertake rigorous training in multiple genres, and we encourage them to do significant interdisciplinary work as well. The program offers intensive studio training in writing within the context of the liberal arts. Its mission is to foster young writers of diverse aesthetics and backgrounds in the interrelated disciplines of composition, revision, close reading, constructive critique, and building an engaged, supportive community. Those who choose to go on to graduate work are regularly accepted into the most highly-ranked MFA programs in the country, and our alumni have been successful in a wide variety of professions, including publishing, teaching, journalism, nonprofits, law, and medicine, as well as creative writing.

The incumbent will teach a total of five courses in the general area of Poetry.

Qualifications:

Among the qualifications required for appointment is the MFA or equivalent degree (in hand or expected by first semester of academic year 2021-22). Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching. Successful teaching experience at the college level is desirable. Oberlin College is committed to student and faculty diversity, equity, and inclusion. The incumbent will bring understanding of or experience working with underrepresented and diverse academic populations. Oberlin is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service. Oberlin recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran’s status, and/or other protected status as required by applicable law.

To apply, candidates should visit the online application site found at https://jobs.oberlin.edu. A complete application will be comprised of 1) a Cover Letter describing your teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and service, detailing any connections to supporting an inclusive learning environment; 2) a Curriculum Vitae; 3) an unofficial graduate transcript; 4) a statement detailing your commitment to and experience in diversity and equity in teaching; 5) a research statement that includes how you will support undergraduate research and, if applicable, how you might incorporate undergraduate students into your research program; and 6) Letters of Reference from three recommenders.* All application materials must be submitted electronically through Oberlin College and Conservatory’s online application process at: https://jobs.oberlin.edu/

*By providing three letters of reference, you agree that we may contact your letter writers.

Review of applications will begin on 4 January 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. Completed applications received by the 29 January 2021 deadline will be guaranteed full consideration.  
 
Questions about the position can be addressed to: dwalker@oberlin.edu or David Walker, Acting Chair of Creative Writing, at 440-775-6567.