Visiting Assistant Professor of Law/Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage

Washburn University’s School of Law invites applications for Visiting Assistant Professor of Law . This is a full-time, non-tenure track 12-month faculty appointment that serves as the Assistant Director Of Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage. The successful candidate will begin as soon as possible but no later than August 2022. Subject to funding and the candidate’s performance at Washburn, this position will renew with the expectation that the position will be permanent.

The ideal candidate will have law school teaching experience or experience teaching in a law school academic support program or bar readiness program, but entry-level candidates will be considered. We seek engaging candidates who value and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and pursuing teaching excellence at Washburn University, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices.

Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of over 5,500 undergraduate, graduate, and law students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to succeed and achieve their educational goals.

The Washburn campus is located in the heart of Topeka, Kansas, blocks from the historic state capitol. Topeka features affordable housing, beautiful, historic neighborhoods filled with well-maintained parks, and a nationally recognized public library. It is also the home of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site.

Washburn University School of Law is committed to diversity in its faculty and encourages applicants whose backgrounds will enrich the law school to apply. We offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, a supportive leadership team, and a healthy work/life balance. At Washburn, we strive to ensure a campus climate that supports the success of every employee and appreciates the unique skills and expertise each contributes to serving our students.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved law school.
• Successful passage of a bar exam in a U.S. jurisdiction.
• Effective written communication and legal writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse student body and work collaboratively with faculty and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage students from diverse backgrounds.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching in and managing a law school academic support program.
• Experience making oral presentations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Law practice experience.
• Experience using TWEN, D2L, Zoom, and Banner.

Responsibilities

The Visiting Assistant Professor of Law will assist in implementing programs designed to improve the critical skills necessary for students to succeed in law school, on the bar exam, and in practice. The Visiting Assistant Professor will:

• Teach academic skills and bar readiness courses (either in-person or online);
• Fulfill teaching expectations associated with a visiting assistant professor appointment. Teach a full workload as outlined in the faculty handbook. The successful candidate may be assigned to teach in-person and/or online courses.
• Work one on one with students who are on academic probation or at academic risk to help them develop habits and methods to improve their academic performance;
• Conduct skills enhancement workshops and group and individual tutoring sessions;
• Provide academic support to LLM students;
• Maintain data for performance tracking and other assessment tools;
• Complete assessment projects as assigned by the program director;
• Assist with the coordination and delivery of bar preparation initiatives;
• Coach and support students and alumni as they prepare for bar exams;
• Offer active learning workshops on bar essay writing and multiple choice test taking skills;
• Read and critique student practice essays and provide feedback to assist in further essay development and improvement;
• Stay current about trends and developments in the uniform and multistate bar exams; and
• Perform additional job-related tasks as appropriate or as assigned by the academic support program director, the associate dean for academic affairs, or other appropriate staff or faculty.

Application Procedures

• Review of applications will begin February 11, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. (All faculty appointments are contingent upon funding.)
• Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and the names/addresses/phone numbers of three professional references to facultytalent@washburn.edu and include “Visiting Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage” on the subject line.
• If you have questions about the position, please contact Professor Mary Ramirez, Chair, Faculty Recruitment Committee, at mary.ramirez@washburn.edu .
• The successful candidate will be required to submit to a background check prior to hire.
• Official transcripts are required once hired.

Washburn is an EOE and is dedicated to providing a student-centered and teaching-focused academic and work environment. We seek candidates who are committed to Washburn’s efforts to create a campus climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented and/or marginalized in higher education.
Washburn University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.