Assistant Professor - Race & Racism

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The mission of the College of Humanities and Sciences is to serve as the intellectual heart and soul of our institution and wider community. The College of Humanities and Sciences:

• Prepares lifelong learners to participate actively as engaged and responsible citizens
• Propels scientific research and scholarship to improve the human condition, cure and treat diseases, and promote healthy environments
• Grounds us in our history, critically examines our present human condition and empowers students to create more equitable local and global communities
• Provides communities with a passionate and creative workforce that serves as a powerful engine for economic development and innovative solutions to problems

As the intellectual lifeblood of VCU and our community, the College of Humanities and Sciences seeks to inspire our students to explore their passions and dreams as individuals and provide the context to understand their place in the world and connections with others—locally, globally and throughout time. Most importantly, our educational and research environment addresses an array of technological, health-related and societal problems, as well as providing profound insights and reflections of what it means to be human and humane..

Chief Purpose of this position: The Department of African American Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for a full-time, term (non-tenure-track) position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin August 2022.

CSIJ 200 is the first course accepted for inclusion in VCU’s new racial literacy requirement, which is slated to be added to VCU’s Foundations of Learning in Fall 2023. All incoming undergraduate students at VCU will be required to take a 3-credit course in racial literacy as part of their General Education curriculum. CSIJ 200 will be delivered as a hybrid class, including both online and in-person instruction.

Virginia Commonwealth University is a large urban university located in the center of Richmond, Virginia. VCU’s Department of African American Studies enjoys a rich and distinguished history as the second department of its kind created in Virginia. The Department of offers an undergraduate degree in African American Studies. The philosophy of the department is situated along the pragmatism strand of the Black Studies intellectual tradition and seeks to prepare scholar-activists to tackle the real problems of the world.

Position Responsibilities: We are seeking an individual who will (i) serve as course coordinator for the department’s new multi-section course, CSIJ 200: Race and Racism in the United States; (ii) teach a 4-4 course load, with possible course reductions for work as course coordinator; (iii) contribute service as a faculty member in the Department of African American Studies; (iv) contribute to the intellectual and pedagogical life of the department. This is a one- year, renewable position.

Required Qualifications: Required qualifications include: a MA with a concentration in race and racism (eg. African American Studies, History, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Education, Gender and Women’s Studies, English); experience in a program coordinator position or in a closely related administrative/managerial/supervisory role; a demonstrated record of teaching experience at the university level; and a successful record of teaching and working with diverse students, including underrepresented minority students and other underserved populations.

Applicants must apply online and submit:

Cover letter addressing candidate’s qualifications for the position
Curriculum vitae
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Applicants moving to the next round will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement: As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. We recognize that local contexts vary across departments and disciplines and that contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion may take many forms. Efforts to cultivate inclusive excellence might include, for example, creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff systematically excluded and underrepresented in the U.S. academy and/or particular disciplines; educational outreach (particularly to under resourced and underserved communities); efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion at the university or in the local community; as well as one’s own lived experiences.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contributions to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion. For more information and examples, see
VCU Guidelines for Writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

For further information, please contact:
Search Committee Chair, Dr. Adam Ewing, aewing2@vcu.edu
Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include: a PhD in a field related to the study of race and racism; experience with online instruction; and a background utilizing the methodological traditions, pedagogical aims, and historical mission of African American Studies.

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Ineligible
Rank: Assistant Professor
Months: 9
Department: African American Studies

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Adam Ewing
Contact Email: aewing2@vcu.edu
Contact Phone: 828-0412