Adjunct Professor, low-residency MFA in Writing for Young Readers

University of San Francisco

5d•$2,256•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private, urban University with a global perspective that educates leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world. USF draws from the cultural, intellectual, and economic resources of the San Francisco Bay Area and its location on the Pacific Rim to enrich its educational programs. The MFA in Writing for Young Readers (MFAY) is a low-residency graduate program. We offer immersive, in-person residencies followed by intensive one-to-one mentorship. Part-time adjunct professors mentor individual students in reading like a writer, craft-based critical writing, and students’ creative projects. Adjunct professors must be expert at working with students through all forms of instruction and at the manuscript level as students engage deeply with questions of audience, craft, process, and literary practices. All MFAY adjunct faculty are expected to have deep familiarity with the field of writing for young readers and must be willing to teach across genres during residency and through individual mentorship. These genres include picture books, early readers and chapter books, middle-grade and young adult novels, nonfiction, poetry and novels in verse, short stories, and graphic literature. Candidates are not required to be published in every category. Positions are part-time, non-tenure track, renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

Requirements

BA in a relevant field
Significant publishing track record
College-level teaching experience or equivalent
Knowledge of critical and inclusive pedagogies

Nice To Haves

Graduate-level higher education teaching experience
Significant publications in the field of literature for young readers
Strong record of publication in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and/or short stories.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the teaching of creative writing, preferably at the graduate level.
Evidence of strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and to collaborate with others.
Adept at student-centered learning.
Community-building orientation, with a willingness to do service and commit to program goals.

Responsibilities

Mentor individual students in reading like a writer, craft-based critical writing, and students’ creative projects.
Work with students through all forms of instruction and at the manuscript level.
Teach across genres during residency and through individual mentorship, including picture books, early readers and chapter books, middle-grade and young adult novels, nonfiction, poetry and novels in verse, short stories, and graphic literature.
Lead workshops, seminars, and lectures during residency.
Participate in faculty readings and graduation events during residency.
Meet with both continuing and newly assigned mentees during residency.
Contribute to the intellectual and creative life of the program during residency.
Respond to student work promptly and thoroughly during the semester.
Hold mid-semester calls with students.
Attend to other work in support of students.