Lecturer of Spanish and Hispanic Studies

Union College • Schenectady, NY

4d • $68,500 - $70,500 • Onsite

About The Position

Union College invites applications for the position of Lecturer in Spanish and Hispanic Studies, beginning September 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin on February 2, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by February 1, 2025 will receive priority consideration. The Spanish and Hispanic Studies Department is seeking a Lecturer who specializes in Community-Based Pedagogies, preferably with expertise in U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures. Candidates must hold a PhD in Spanish, Hispanic Studies, Latin American Studies, Latino Studies, or a related field. Candidates with PhD in hand will be prioritized. Candidates who will defend their dissertation by August 2026 will be considered. Native or near-native fluency in Spanish required. English language proficiency must be sufficient to communicate effectively with campus and community partners. Lecturer positions are renewable with a contract period of three years. Opportunities for promotion to Senior Lecturer (with renewable five-year contracts) occur after six years. Teaching load is six courses per year along with co-curricular responsibilities and the expectation of student advising, College service, and departmental service including curricular development, student engagement, placement advising, and recruitment activities. Strong Spanish language teaching skills and experience at all levels required. We seek candidates who also have ample experience teaching and designing courses with community-based components and/or collaborating with community partners. Ability to contribute courses to 250-299, 300, and 400 levels that complement our current offerings is a plus. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise to develop courses in Spanish and English on U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures. Candidates with experience teaching Heritage learners preferred. Co-curricular responsibilities will focus on liaising with Community Engagement and Outreach , the Career Center , other academic departments, and local organizations and businesses to build and coordinate a consistent program of offerings and real-world, career-adjacent opportunities that connect students and the department’s curriculum to local Spanish-speaking communities. We will look for evidence of candidates' interest in and ability to engage students in learning outside the classroom, including but not limited to diverse approaches to experiential or applied learning opportunities. Candidates with experience that will prepare them to design and coordinate community engagement opportunities for the department will be prioritized. Union College offers many opportunities for both faculty and students to engage with multiple disciplines - and each other - in collaborative classroom settings, innovative majors and minors, and unique initiatives. We encourage candidates who can offer interdisciplinary courses, especially those that intersect with Latin American and Caribbean Studies and/or other interdisciplinary programs . We ask that candidates explain their interest in working at a small liberal arts college and in New York’s Capital District and the Schenectady community. A successful applicant will demonstrate interest in working closely with undergraduate students and in departmental curricular development that is forward-thinking, creative, and interdisciplinary.

Requirements

• PhD in Spanish, Hispanic Studies, Latin American Studies, Latino Studies, or a related field
• Candidates who will defend their dissertation by August 2026 will be considered
• Native or near-native fluency in Spanish required
• English language proficiency must be sufficient to communicate effectively with campus and community partners
• Strong Spanish language teaching skills and experience at all levels required
• Ample experience teaching and designing courses with community-based components and/or collaborating with community partners

Nice To Haves

• Ability to contribute courses to 250-299, 300, and 400 levels that complement our current offerings is a plus
• Preference will be given to candidates with expertise to develop courses in Spanish and English on U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures
• Candidates with experience teaching Heritage learners preferred
• Candidates with experience that will prepare them to design and coordinate community engagement opportunities for the department will be prioritized
• We encourage candidates who can offer interdisciplinary courses, especially those that intersect with Latin American and Caribbean Studies and/or other interdisciplinary programs

Responsibilities

• Teaching load is six courses per year
• Co-curricular responsibilities
• Student advising
• College service
• Departmental service including curricular development, student engagement, placement advising, and recruitment activities
• Liaising with Community Engagement and Outreach , the Career Center , other academic departments, and local organizations and businesses to build and coordinate a consistent program of offerings and real-world, career-adjacent opportunities that connect students and the department’s curriculum to local Spanish-speaking communities.

Benefits

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees