Adjunct Instructor - Focused Inquiry

Position Responsibilities:

The University College at Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking part-time adjunct faculty members to teach Focused Inquiry courses on an as-needed basis. Faculty members teaching in the Department of Focused Inquiry participate in shared curricula, with the expectation that students across all sections of a course achieve similar learning objectives. Primary teaching responsibilities include instruction of UNIV 111, 112, and/or 200, which students are expected to complete in their first two years. This three-semester, interdisciplinary course sequence is learner-centered and promotes integrative thinking as well as student engagement, with a particular emphasis on written and oral communication, critical thinking, collaborative learning, information fluency, and ethical reasoning. All adjunct faculty are expected to attend the full-day faculty development institute at the beginning of each semester and to be available to students outside of class via office hours (one hour for each 3-hour class taught) as well as via email and other electronic communications. Adjunct faculty teaching in the Department for the first time are expected to attend a weekly one-hour teaching practicum in their first semester of teaching.

*Please note that, at this time, we cannot guarantee the availability of adjunct vacancies from semester to semester. However, we invite qualified applicants who are willing to accept part-time teaching work on an as-needed basis to apply.

Required Qualifications:

The University College promotes a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning. We welcome candidates from any academic discipline with interest or experience in teaching interdisciplinary general education courses with an emphasis on written and oral communication and critical thinking. Evidence of excellence in college-level teaching is required. At least three years of college teaching experience in a general education curriculum is preferred. A master’s degree in an academic discipline is required. Preference is given to candidates desiring to work with a diverse student population in a collaborative, learning-centered community of teachers and learners. We welcome individuals from diverse experiences and backgrounds and/or experiential learning through lived experiences and/or professional service that inform worldviews and/or perspectives about minority group status, to include race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and disability.

Special Instructions to Applicants

All candidates must attach to this application a letter of intent (cover letter), curriculum vitae or resume, a diversity statement, and a statement of teaching philosophy (as an “Other Document”). Applicants must also include within their application materials the names/contact information (including email address) of three references who are able to address the candidate’s teaching abilities. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences; and past, present, and future academic and professional activities have or will contribute to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience. For more information: https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/

For more information about Virginia Commonwealth University, please visit our website at http://www.vcu.edu/about/. Please also check out this link for an overview of what it’s like to live and work in the Richmond area: http://www.provost.vcu.edu/faculty-affairs/prospective-faculty/working-at-vcu/ More information about the Department of Focused Inquiry can be found by visiting https://focusedinquiry.vcu.edu/.

PLEASE NOTE: This applicant pool will be utilized on an as-needed basis. Should an adjunct teaching position become available, the Department of Focused Inquiry will contact those in the pool whose credentials and experience match our teaching needs. This pool will be accessed only when an opening arises. Your application will remain active through June 25, 2023. If you are still interested in adjunct teaching after that date, you may resubmit your application for the subsequent academic year. A new application must be submitted each year in order to be considered for an interview. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.