Faculty Diversity Fellow, Instructor or Assistant Professor of Sociology

Diversity Faculty Fellow

Instructor or Assistant Professor of Sociology

SUNY Cortland

POSITION: Full-time, tenure-track position in Sociology in the School of Arts & Sciences, Sociology/Anthropology Department at either the instructor or the assistant professor rank, dependent on Ph.D. completion status at time of appointment.

The State University of New York College at Cortland is an engaged learning community that is committed to promoting a diversity of thought and experience. We believe that an equitable, inclusive and diverse campus and curriculum are critical to our educational mission.

To promote and support our inclusive community, SUNY Cortland is proud to announce the continuation of the SUNY Cortland Diversity Faculty Fellows Program. The aim of this program is to attract diverse faculty of promise to our campus. We intend to hire up to five (5) fellows each year in a cluster format who demonstrate a diversity of thought and experience in both their personal and scholarly pursuits. We are recruiting early career scholars who seek to gain experience in a full-time faculty position in a supportive, inclusive environment. In addition, fellows will help support the infusion of topics related to equity and inclusion in the departmental and/or college-wide curriculum inside and outside the classroom.

Like all full-time faculty at SUNY Cortland, fellows will be expected to maintain a routine presence on campus to support the campus values of Focus on the Students, Integrity, and Intellectual Life as well as serve the campus priorities of Academic Excellence, Transformational Education, Well-being, and the Maximization of Resources.

SUNY Cortland diversity faculty fellows are tenure-track faculty members of their respective departments; report to the academic department chair; are members of small dynamic cohort of new academics who work collectively to support an inclusive community and campus climate, and; enhance the cultural, academic and professional experience of groups traditionally under-represented in higher education (e.g., students of color, women in STEM fields, low income and first-generation college students and LGBTQ+ community) and will maintain working relationships with the chief diversity and inclusion officer (CDIO) and the director of the Multicultural Life and Diversity Office.

THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Sociology/Anthropology has a large and vibrant undergraduate program. When students explore sociology and anthropology at SUNY Cortland, they’ll immerse themselves in the study of the human condition. They’ll examine how societies and cultures are formed and how they shape and are shaped by human behavior. Students develop analytical, critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills that are vital in any walk of life. Classes are small, led by faculty who are eager to help students succeed. Students have opportunities for independent research, internships, fieldwork, study abroad and service-learning will let them put classroom theory to the test in the real world. In a rapidly changing world, students will obtain a liberal arts education that fosters versatility in the world of work and good citizenship.

The list of career paths the department prepares students for is long and diverse. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers as educators, law enforcers, human service professionals, cultural resource managers, researchers, attorneys, human rights advocates, and more. The skills we impart are transferable across numerous fields.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Teach a reduced load of 12 credits per year (6 credits per semester) for the duration of the two-year program. Included as part of the teaching load will be the opportunity to: teach at least one course a year which addresses equity and inclusion as part of its content; support the infusion of topics related to equity and inclusion in the departmental and/or college-wide curriculum; participate in a mentoring process with assigned mentor to support professional development; participate in a professional learning community designed specifically to further growth and ensure success in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service; participate in the SUNY Diversity Conference each year of the fellowship; develop an active scholarship or research agenda. The successful candidate will provide service to the department, school, and university and offer scheduled office hours and support students outside of the classroom in at least one of the following ways: acting as academic advisors, serving as advisors to student organizations, and supervising student assistants, research assistants, or other internship experiences

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Cultural competence and commitment to diversity and inclusion as part of anticipated career trajectory; ability to provide leadership in teaching, research or service toward building an equitable and diverse academic environment; desire to work with students from diverse backgrounds, ability to teach and assess learning in culturally diverse settings, commitment to improving access to higher education for all students regardless of background, and commitment to educating students to become global citizens; demonstrate diversity of thought and experience in both their personal and scholarly pursuits; creativity in course and curricular design; effective interpersonal and organizational skills; support the SUNY Cortland mission, vision, values and priorities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Doctoral candidate all but dissertation (ABD) in sociology or a closely related field for appointment to instructor rank; earned Ph.D. in sociology or a closely related field for appointment to assistant professor rank. We seek a faculty member who can offer courses, firmly grounded in a sociological perspective, in one or more of the following fields: critical race theory, gender, and/or organizations. Demonstrated academic, professional and/or personal experience in engaging with diversity, equity and inclusion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Earned Ph.D. in sociology or a closely related field for appointment to assistant professor rank. Candidates with experience/interest in teaching introduction to research methods and/or statistics, and courses in fields such as community organization, social movements, activism, immigration/migration, and indigenous studies, are especially encouraged to apply. Relevant teaching experience at the college level; evidence of commitment to excellence in teaching and advising; evidence of scholarly publication and an established research agenda; demonstrated experience creating, organizing, and/or executing diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives (such as working with student groups/organizations, conferences, workshops, teach-ins, commemorative events, or services in support of underrepresented groups).

THE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY: SUNY Cortland, a comprehensive college known for superb programs designed to support a commitment to civic responsibility, environmental responsibility, international education, professional education and social justice is one of 64 campuses in the State University of New York system. The State University of New York is a quality public university that combines world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, and a truly diverse body of talented students to pursue its mission in every corner of the state: “to learn, to search, to serve.”

The campus is located in the geographic center of New York State and is a half-hour drive from Syracuse and Ithaca and four hours from New York City and Philadelphia. Situated in the beautiful Finger Lakes region, Cortland offers an array of regional cultural and recreational opportunities, as well as affordable housing and excellent school systems.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: For more information, application instructions and to apply online go to: https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/4587. Work visa sponsorship is not available for this fellowship program, To be considered, applicants with the legal right to full-time US employment should submit application materials online. Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2021. Applications will be accepted until March 12, 2021.

The State University of New York College at Cortland is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act (AA/EEO/ADA) employer. The College actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the College.