Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies and Co-Director of the Habiger Institute

University of St Thomas • St. Paul, MN

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Catholic Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas (MN) invites applications for the inaugural John and Paula Kelly Family Endowed Professorship in Catholic Leadership and Co-Director of the Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership to begin September 1, 2027. The Kelly Professor will be simultaneously a tenure-track faculty member of the Department of Catholic Studies entering at the rank of assistant professor and Co-Director of the Habiger Institute. The Department of Catholic Studies offers an undergraduate major and minor as well as a graduate certificate and master’s degree. Guided by the principles of Ex corde ecclesiae and Fides et ratio, we are committed to sustaining and developing the Catholic intellectual tradition. We seek candidates who share these commitments. As an interdisciplinary department, we seek candidates whose disciplinary expertise is coupled with an interdisciplinary habit of mind and an ability to teach in an interdisciplinary way. To this end, we seek candidates with expertise in one of the multiple elements of the Catholic intellectual tradition (including but not limited to history, literature, art, theology, or philosophy) and expect that candidates will demonstrate how their teaching engages the tradition as a coherent whole. Candidates should have a clearly established scholarly agenda, and evidence of ability to teach across disciplinary boundaries and connect with students from varied backgrounds and with varied interests. The successful candidate must have a terminal degree in an academic field germane to Catholic Studies. Besides undergraduate teaching, graduate teaching and the ability to develop hybrid in-person/online courses for the Catholic Studies master’s program is also expected. The Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership, which is housed within the Center for Catholic Studies, offers a range of opportunities for students to develop the fortitude and character required to live as faithful professionals, ethical leaders, and joyful Catholics in a complex world. Some of its programs include the First- and Second-Year Living Learning Communities, the Guadalupe’s Scholars Program, and the Mission and Culture in Catholic Education Programs. These programs play a significant role in the lives of Catholic Studies students. We seek candidates who can lead the Habiger Institute with programs that will help students integrate their intellectual, moral, social, spiritual, and professional lives. The Habiger co-director position has a reduced teaching load of five courses (20 credits) per academic year for administrative responsibilities. The position includes summer responsibilities with a stipend above the base salary each year of the appointment. The Kelly Professor will assume full responsibility as Director of Habiger upon receiving tenure and promotion. Full responsibility as Habiger Director may be assumed pre-tenure, pending agreement of the Kelly Professor and approval of the Chair of the Department of Catholic Studies, the Director of the Center for Catholic Studies, and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The full Director of the Habiger will have a reduced course load of four courses (16 credits) and summer duties.

Requirements

• Terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) in history, literature, art, theology, or philosophy, or a related field germane to Catholic Studies.
• Alternatively, ABD nearing completion of the Ph.D. may be considered for an initial appointment at the rank of instructor.
• Demonstrated ability to teach in an interdisciplinary way.
• A clearly established scholarly agenda.
• Ability to teach across disciplinary boundaries.
• Ability to connect with students from varied backgrounds and with varied interests.
• Commitment to the principles of Ex corde ecclesiae and Fides et ratio.
• Commitment to sustaining and developing the Catholic intellectual tradition.
• Commitment to the University of St. Thomas mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in one of the multiple elements of the Catholic intellectual tradition (including but not limited to history, literature, art, theology, or philosophy).
• Demonstrate how teaching engages the tradition as a coherent whole.
• Experience or commitment to programming that helps students integrate their intellectual, moral, social, spiritual, and professional lives.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Catholic Studies at the rank of assistant professor.
• Co-Direct the Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Catholic Studies.
• Develop hybrid in-person/online courses for the Catholic Studies master’s program.
• Lead the Habiger Institute with programs that help students integrate their intellectual, moral, social, spiritual, and professional lives.
• Assume full responsibility as Director of Habiger upon receiving tenure and promotion (or potentially pre-tenure with approvals).
• Engage in interdisciplinary teaching and connect with students from varied backgrounds and interests.
• Conduct research and maintain a scholarly agenda.

Benefits

• Tuition remission benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous employer retirement contribution upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits
• Paid parental leave benefits
• Annual $3,000 stipend for Habiger Co-Director duties
• Summer responsibilities with a stipend above the base salary each year of the appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree