Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing: Poetry)

Union College•Schenectady, NY

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Union College invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of English specializing in Poetry, beginning September 1, 2026. The Department of English fosters a cooperative and encouraging environment dedicated to student achievement, offering a diverse array of pedagogical perspectives that bridge conventional and avant-garde explorations of letters and the craft of writing. The curriculum includes creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and more, and supports interdisciplinary programs. The department launched a creative writing minor in Fall 2024, which this poetry position directly supports.

Requirements

M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing (Poetry) at the time of hire.
Experience in teaching creative writing.
An established publication record, such as a published book of poetry or the digital equivalent, or a series of poems published in peer-reviewed journals.
Ability to teach poetry workshops at all levels and literature electives.
Ability to contribute to the college's Complex Questions general education curriculum.
Ability to develop a First-Year Inquiry course.
Interest in organizing a departmental reading series (preferred).
Interest in digital poetics and/or digital studies more broadly (especially interested).
Experience incorporating digital tools and platforms into teaching and/or their poetry publication (especially interested).
Experience expanding digital course offerings (especially interested).
Demonstrated interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer-reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate creative writing (especially interested).
Demonstrated interest through teaching and service in underrepresented perspectives, including those of BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers (encouraged).
Ability to support Union’s interdisciplinary programs.
Application materials submitted as pdf files.
Application letter.
Curriculum vitae.
Writing sample (up to 15 pages).
Statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages), which includes experiences, approaches, and classroom activities that increase inclusivity and community for students of various backgrounds and abilities.
Contact information for three professional references who can speak to their abilities in creative work, teaching, and departmental and institutional service (for first round interviews).

Nice To Haves

Interest in organizing a departmental reading series.
Work in digital poetics and/or digital studies more broadly.
Incorporate digital tools and platforms into their teaching and/or their poetry publication.
Expand our digital course offerings, which may include contributions that cross with Computer Science, or programs in Digital Studies, Digital Media, and/or Science, Technology, and Society.
Demonstrated interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer-reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate creative writing.
Demonstrate through their teaching and service a commitment to underrepresented perspectives, including those of BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers.
Teaching could support Union’s interdisciplinary programs in Africana Studies, American Studies, Asian Studies, Climate Change Studies, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, Mental Health Care, Music Technology, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Law & Humanities, Religious Studies, Russian & Eastern European Studies, and/or Public Health.

Responsibilities

Teach poetry workshops at all levels and literature electives of their own design.
Contribute to the college's Complex Questions general education curriculum.
Develop a First-Year Inquiry course in line with their own interests.
Organize a departmental reading series (preferred).
Incorporate digital tools and platforms into teaching and/or poetry publication.
Expand digital course offerings, potentially crossing with Computer Science, or programs in Digital Studies, Digital Media, and/or Science, Technology, and Society.
Demonstrate interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer-reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for the publication and dissemination of undergraduate creative writing.
Demonstrate through teaching and service a commitment to underrepresented perspectives, including those of BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ writers.
Support Union’s interdisciplinary programs.