Visiting Assistant Professor of Restorative Justice

Position Details

Position Type Visiting Professor Classification Title Visiting Professor Position's Functional Title Visiting Assistant Professor of Restorative Justice Position Start Date 08/16/2021 Position End Date (if temporary) Position Summary

Governors State University (University Park, IL) is a minority-majority institution inviting applications for a full-time, one-year, non-tenure track Visiting Assistant Professor in Restorative Justice, to begin in the Fall 2021 semester. The visiting faculty member will teach restorative justice courses in the Division of Arts and Letters and, as part of their duties, also be assigned to lead and coordinate student support initiatives in conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Students.

We seek a teacher-scholar who is committed to enhancing our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and who will complement existing faculty strengths in our Criminal Justice and Political and Social Justices Studies programs. A successful candidate is a teacher/practitioner with teaching, research, and practical expertise in restorative justice. The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in restorative justice, such as Restorative Justice in Schools, Peace Circles, Mediation and Conferencing, Contemporary Restorative Justice Practices, and/or Community Restorative Justice. This position may also assist in delivering the general education courses, including First Year Seminar (an interdisciplinary humanities course) and/or Mastering College. Approximately half of the appointment will be devoted to developing and leading restorative justice-oriented programming for students and the campus community in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and concurrent social and political unrest. This includes, but is not limited to, coordinating legal clinics to provide students access to legal services to assist with issues related to landlord/tenant, crime victims’ rights and resources, and divorce and custody. The successful candidate will also support the existing Male Success Initiative ( MSI ) by working with campus stakeholders to reimagine the program to be more responsive to current needs of students and create a sustainable model for the future.

We seek candidates with outstanding teaching skills, evidence of—or potential for—a distinguished record of scholarship as well as service to the institution, discipline, and/or community. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and first-generation college graduates are especially encouraged to apply.

Governors State University ( GSU ) was founded in 1969, originally as an upper-division institution with a primary focus of serving community college graduates pursuing baccalaureate degrees. During the five intervening decades, GSU has grown to become the only regional, public, comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving approximately 6,000 students annually in 85 different bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs. GSU features a highly diverse faculty and staff of roughly 1,000 employees that reflect the students and community we serve. GSU provides accessible, high value undergraduate and graduate education to culturally and economically diverse students from across the region and around the world. From its mission statement, Governors State University is committed to offering an exceptional and accessible education that prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in a global society.

Students benefit from the university’s high academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasing hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value.

The exceptionally beautiful campus is conveniently located within easy reach by road and rail to Chicago and surrounding communities that have 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 seeks to serve 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.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Ph.D. or terminal degree in Restorative Justice, or a closely related discipline; ABD in the final stages of completion will also be considered (and may be appointed as Visiting Instructor).

2. Knowledge and ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in restorative justice.

3. Documented record of an ability to make intellectual contributions through scholarly publications/presentations.
4. Ability to complement the program’s strengths.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with first-generation, culturally diverse, and non-traditional students.
2. Demonstrated ability to infuse course content with scholarship related to underrepresented and marginalized groups.
3. Experience teaching courses in peace circles, mediation and conferencing, restorative justice theory and practices.
4. Experience developing and leading peace circles within a higher education environment.
5. Experience with the Male Success Initiative.
6. Experience with administration of coordinating legal clinics.
7. Ability and interest in teaching the interdisciplinary humanities First Year Seminar course.
8. Evidence of teaching excellence.

Posting Date 04/09/2021 Closing Date Open Until Filled No Posting Number FA0391P Type of Search External Quicklink for Posting https://employment.govst.edu/postings/5905 Employee ID Department Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, unofficial transcripts, and list of professional references by May 15, 2021 to receive full consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will only be contacted prior to candidate interviews.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Will you have a terminal degree, or be ABD, by the start date for this position?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * What academic discipline did you earn your degree(s) in?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
3. * Briefly describe your experience teaching online and specific platform(s) used.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   

Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Teaching Philosophy
4. Transcripts
5. List of References

Optional Documents

1. Other
2. Other2
3. Other3