Assistant Professor, Teaching, Honors College

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Assistant Professor, Teaching, Honors College at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Position Purpose:

The Irvin D. Reid Honors College at Wayne State University is seeking to fill one Assistant Professor, Teaching, Non-Tenure Track position for the 2026/27 academic year.  The Irvin D. Reid Honors College promotes excellence in teaching, scholarship, and experiential learning. Our faculty are committed to a curriculum that strengthens student skills in critical thinking and research and that encourages students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the world around them.

This is a non-tenure-track, nine-month academic appointment that is fully subsidy-funded.  The contract will begin Fall 2026. The successful candidates must demonstrate a strong potential for excellence in classroom teaching and a commitment to teaching highly motivated students.  

Essential Functions:

Assist the primary instructor of the first-year sequence by teaching multiple sections of weekly Honors small section seminars of first-year students, in close cooperation with other Professors of Teaching and the Course Coordinator. Attend weekly Honors course meetings and lecture presentations. Candidates will be expected to:

In the Fall 2026:
Assist the primary instructor of HON 1000, “Changing Detroit,” by leading multiple small discussion sections.

In the Winter 2027:
Teach three sections of their own small seminar(s) HON 2000, which they will design and propose in advance. 

Unique Duties:

Work with Course Coordinator and other Professors of Teaching in creating, refining and organizing course materials. Collaborate with other Honors faculty on course materials for Honors Seminars. Act as mentor for Honors students.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD in some area of the Humanities or Social Sciences, such as American Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Urban Studies, Urban Environmental Humanities, History, Film and Media Studies, Global Languages, Philosophy, Political Science or related disciplines.

Demonstrated excellence as college-level instructor.

Strong mentoring skills and commitment to helping individual students achieve academic goals.

Flexibility and a willingness to collaborate closely with academic colleagues and Honors staff.

Experience and success teaching critical thinking and writing, especially across disciplines.

Commitment to and demonstrated success in interdisciplinary teaching, high-impact practices including undergraduate research and internships, and innovative collaborative curriculum development.

History of community involvement and/or civic engagement.

Understanding of and enthusiasm for Honors education.

Working knowledge of digital media and course management software.

Application Procedure:

Potential candidates must submit an application that includes a letter of interest addressing how they meet the position qualifications and their potential contributions, a one-page philosophy of teaching statement, a resume, and the names, titles, and contact information of three references from Non-WSU employees to Req# 3289 on Wayne State University’s Wayne Talent career site at https://jobs.wayne.edu.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Questions can be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Elena Past, at elenapast@wayne.edu.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of Detroit and/or urban studies. Knowledge of American politics and/or political institutions.

School/College/Division:

H14 - Honors College

Primary Department:

H1401 - Honors College

Employment Type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Academic/Faculty

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Annual Salary: To be determined

Working Conditions:

Normal faculty environment.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.