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 ofAfrican American Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invitesapplications for a full-time, term (non-tenure-track) position at the rank ofAssistant Professor to begin August 2023.
CSIJ 200 is the firstcourse accepted for inclusion in VCU’s new racial literacy requirement, whichis slated to be added to VCU’s Foundations of Learning in Fall 2023. Allincoming undergraduate students at VCU will be required to take a 3-creditcourse in racial literacy as part of their General Education curriculum. CSIJ200 will be delivered as a hybrid class, including both online and in-personinstruction.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a large urban university located in thecenter of Richmond, Virginia. VCU’s Department of African American Studiesenjoys a rich and distinguished history as the second department of its kindcreated in Virginia. The Department of offers an undergraduate degree inAfrican American Studies. The philosophy of the department is situated along thepragmatism strand of the Black Studies intellectual tradition and seeks toprepare scholar-activists to tackle the real problems of the world.

Position Responsibilities: We are seeking anindividual who will (i) serve as course coordinator for the department’s newmulti-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 coursecoordinator; (iii) design, develop and teach new courses as needed; (iv) contributeservice as a faculty member in the Department of African American Studies; (v)contribute to the intellectual and pedagogical life of the department. This isa one- year, renewable position.

Required Qualifications: Required qualificationsinclude: a MA with a concentration in race and racism (e.g., African AmericanStudies, History, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Education, Gender and Women’sStudies, English); experience in a program coordinator position or in a closelyrelated administrative/managerial/supervisory role; a successful record ofteaching and working with diverse students, including underrepresented, minoritized,and other underserved student populations.
Applicants must applyonline and submit: 
Cover letter addressingcandidate’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 ofrecommendation.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement: As a preeminent national,urban, public research university and academic health center, VirginiaCommonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity andinclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.We recognize that local contexts vary across departments and disciplines andthat contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion may take manyforms. Efforts to cultivate inclusive excellence might include, forexample, creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff systematicallyexcluded and underrepresented in the U.S. academy and/or particulardisciplines; educational outreach (particularly to under resourced andunderserved communities); efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusionat the university or in the local community; as well as one’s own livedexperiences.
Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity,Equity and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your careeraspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, andinclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences,and academic and professional activities will impact your contributions toVCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion. For more information andexamples, see VCU Guidelines for Writing a Statement of Contributions toDiversity, Equity and Inclusion.
For further information, please contact: 
Search Committee Chair, Dr. Grace Gipson
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until theposition is filled.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionuniversity 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, veteransand persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred qualificationsinclude: a demonstrable understanding of and teaching experience about thehistory of slavery in Richmond, VA; and a background utilizing themethodological traditions, pedagogical aims, and historical mission of AfricanAmerican 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: Michelle Wilde
Contact Email: jmwilde@vcu.edu