News and Events

Department Hiring Two Assistant Professor Positions in Creative Writing

Summary: The Department of Writing at Grand Valley State University invites applications for two tenure-track positions in creative writing to begin Fall 2025. Applicants are expected to have an M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing, English, or a closely related field. Candidates should have experience and/or interest teaching two or more of the following: poetry, creative nonfiction, editing and publishing, the business of publishing, and/or graphic genres. The successful candidates will teach our multi-genre introductory creative writing course and other creative writing courses, and they will have the opportunity to develop new courses in our modular curriculum. One of the candidates will teach in our poetry module. Candidates must have a demonstrated publication record of creative work in relevant genres. The successful candidates will collaborate with colleagues to contribute to a vibrant department culture of writers and writing instructors. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and with diverse experiences are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates from underrepresented groups and from candidates who have interest and/or experience in working with diverse student and community populations.

Required Qualifications and Education:

  • M.F.A or Ph.D. in Creative Writing, English, or closely related field. Current ABD candidates will be considered for a two-year contract with the provision that the Ph.D. must be completed by December 2026.
  • Expertise and experience in teaching introductory creative writing courses.
  • A demonstrated publication record in relevant creative genre(s).
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.
  • Evidence of one’s demonstrated commitment to social justice education, inclusion, diversity, and/or intercultural training.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

  • Experience working with diverse student populations.

Responsibilities: The ideal candidate will focus their career on teaching creative writing courses and continuously developing their professional expertise as a writing instructor. The typical full-time (9-month) teaching load is nine credit hours per semester, drawn from GVSU's general education writing courses and writing major courses. They are also expected to engage in scholarly/creative activity, service, and a significant focus, which is equivalent to three credit hours of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarly/creative activity, and/or service depending on the successful candidate's interests and the department’s needs.

Minimum Starting Salary: $64,000; commensurate with experience.

Benefits: The university offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, sick leave/disability, tuition waiver, flexible spending accounts, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness and Grand Rapids YMCA facilities effective on date of hire. Family and childcare options on and off-campus are also available. For a more detailed description of benefits, please visit Human Resources – Tenure Track Faculty Benefits.

Department: The Department of Writing emphasizes teaching excellence using inclusive writing pedagogies. Full-time faculty uphold the values of a liberal education while providing a collaborative, experiential learning environment within writing studies. In addition to offering general education courses in first-year writing, creative writing, and business communication, the department provides a unique 42-credit modular curriculum for students seeking a B.A. or B.S. in writing.

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education.

University: Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan. The University attracts more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

How To Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following to the online application:

  • a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU,
  • a curriculum vitae,
  • a teaching philosophy that includes a discussion of how you foster diversity, equity, and inclusion through your teaching, and
  • graduate transcripts (unofficial issued to students are acceptable to apply).

The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts and a writing sample prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215.  Email questions about the position to Professor Amy Ferdinandt Stolley ([email protected]).

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on November 1, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

For more information about Grand Valley, see our website at www.gvsu.edu

Grand Valley State University is an EOE which includes protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. See http://www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/ . TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

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Page last modified September 25, 2024