Instructor - Focused Inquiry

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The mission of the College of Humanities and Sciences is to serve as the intellectual heart and soul of our institution and wider community. The College of Humanities and Sciences:

• Prepares lifelong learners to participate actively as engaged and responsible citizens
• Propels scientific research and scholarship to improve the human condition, cure and treat diseases, and promote healthy environments
• Grounds us in our history, critically examines our present human condition and empowers students to create more equitable local and global communities
• Provides communities with a passionate and creative workforce that serves as a powerful engine for economic development and innovative solutions to problems

As the intellectual lifeblood of VCU and our community, the College of Humanities and Sciences seeks to inspire our students to explore their passions and dreams as individuals and provide the context to understand their place in the world and connections with others-locally, globally and throughout time. Most importantly, our educational and research environment addresses an array of technological, health-related and societal problems, as well as providing profound insights and reflections of what it means to be human and humane.

Chief Purpose of this position: The College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for a 1-year visiting teaching position in the Department of Focused Inquiry (FI), beginning in August 2025. We welcome candidates from any academic discipline with interest or experience in teaching general education courses, and an emphasis on written and oral communication and critical and creative problem-solving.

Position Responsibilities: Applicants will be hired at the level of visiting instructor or visiting assistant professor and will teach a 4/4 load (one course) of face-to-face or hybrid-asynchronous seminar-style, general education classes while honing their student-centered pedagogical practices and gaining experience in teaching an interdisciplinary, skills-focused curriculum.

Required Qualifications: Successful candidates will demonstrate their commitment to student success and to furthering their own understanding of teaching and learning.

•A Master’s degree or higher, supplemented by experience teaching or mentorship of college-level students.
•An eagerness to work with a diverse population of students who have a wide range of academic preparedness
•A commitment to furthering excellence in college-level teaching
•Strong written and oral communication skills
•Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with others

Preferred Qualifications:

Terminal degree
•College teaching experience in a general education curriculum
•Knowledge of and experience with support for differently prepared students
•Experience teaching and mentoring diverse populations of learners

To apply, please submit the following:

A Letter of Intent (no more than 2-single spaced pages) that demonstrates the following:

What distinctly draws you to the Focused Inquiry visiting professorship, our general education courses, and our diverse student base?

How would you describe your teaching practice and the impact activities and assignments have had on your students?

What previous experiences, academic preparation, professional development, and/or service make you particularly equipped for this position?