Tenure Track Faculty Assistant Professor in Creative Writing MFA in Writing MA in Writing

SPALDING UNIVERSITY • Louisville, KY

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

Full-time, tenure-track faculty member / Associate Programs Director at the Assistant Professor rank – Creative Writing The Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing (NMS) at Spalding University seeks to hire a full-time, tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant Professor rank to teach in our graduate programs and to also serve as Associate Programs Director on the NMS leadership team. The MFA program at Spalding, the first in Kentucky, and one of the first low-residency programs in the country, was launched in 2001. Naslund-Mann continues to enjoy a strong national reputation for academic excellence in creative writing and has graduated approximately 900 alumni who have appeared on NY Times bestseller lists, written award-winning plays, films and TV series, received prestigious fellowships, currently teach at US institutions of higher learning, and who serve as community arts and nonprofit leaders across the country and beyond. After adding certificate programs and an MA in Writing program, and after receiving a substantial alumni gift, the MFA writing program became The Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing in 2021, one of the few named schools of writing in the country. NMS offers graduate instruction in the genres of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children and young adults, and writing for TV, screen, and stage. Candidates must hold the preferred MFA in Writing (or PhD) and have a significant record of publication or production including at least one book publication or one stage or film production in one of the genres in which we offer instruction. We welcome applications from candidates who have publication or production experience in more than one genre and/or experience with graduate low-residency or hybrid deliveries of creative writing instruction.
JOB SUMMARY This is a unique position that calls for the faculty member to balance teaching and supervisory duties while also continuing an active professional publishing or production career. We seek candidates who possess strong content knowledge, skill in and enthusiasm for the teaching of creative writing, leadership and supervisory skills, and those who are particularly familiar with low-residency or hybrid models of graduate instruction. The successful candidate will become part of a highly collaborative and congenial leadership team and will work closely with the Chair to maintain academic excellence and develop ongoing curriculum programming to meet the needs of the times for our students. As the faculty member will not meet daily classes during the traditional university semester, the position offers scheduling flexibility (other than required presence at residencies and regularly scheduled school of writing and university meetings). Full-time faculty members are encouraged to use up to eight hours per week to write, publish or produce, and to promote the program through readings, workshops and other literary events. The position offers a 36-week contract.

Requirements

• Must hold an MFA in Writing (or PhD) from an accredited program.
• Have established creative writing practice and research in one or more genre areas in which we provide instruction.
• Must have strong leadership and interpersonal skills to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and alumni and work well in a collaborative academic setting.
• Must have the ability to serve the nontraditional student.
• Must have strong communication skills in oral and written forms.
• Must have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Must have ability to multitask, work independently, and adhere to deadlines.
• Must have computer skills in order to work efficiently in Microsoft Office, Colleague UI, and Canvas.

Nice To Haves

• We welcome applications from candidates who have publication or production experience in more than one genre and/or experience with graduate low-residency or hybrid deliveries of creative writing instruction.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Chair to maintain academic excellence, plan residencies, and implement ongoing and new instruction or programs.
• Serve as faculty advisor to all NMS students.
• Serve as direct faculty supervisor to NMS part-time faculty.
• Though the position may be hybrid, the faculty member is required to be on campus 2-3 days a week and is required to be fully on campus during each week of residency to supervise and teach during residency.
• During residency, provide craft lectures and workshop leadership in the primary area(s) of publication or production.
• Provide support teaching to students: orientations, expository writing, or in other areas as needed.
• Serve as faculty mentor for students in primary area(s) of publication or production during the independent study as needed.
• Develop new writing projects or continue writing and publishing or producing.
• Assist with recruitment, retention, and evaluation of students.
• Contribute service to the department and university (e.g., active participation on committees).
• Attend faculty, departmental, and university meetings and events.

Benefits

• Spalding University offers a comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, Spalding matching contribution up to 5% to your 403b/Roth retirement plan, generous Paid Time Off program, Parental Leave, paid holidays, paid life insurance and long-term disability, paid time for volunteering, and more.

What This Job Offers

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