Affiliate Faculty of Writing

Summary: The Department of Writing at Grand Valley State University invites applications for two Affiliate Faculty of Writing positions to begin Fall 2026. Applicants are expected to have an M.A., M.S., M.F.A., or PhD in English, Rhetoric/Composition, Writing or a closely related field. Candidates should have expertise and experience in teaching college composition to students from diverse backgrounds. Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• M.A., M.S., M.F.A., or PhD in English, Rhetoric/Composition, Writing, or a closely related field.

• Experience and expertise in teaching college composition.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Graduate coursework in rhetoric and composition or its professional equivalent.

• Experience in or demonstrated commitment to inclusive pedagogical practices.

• Experience teaching with a range of technological tools to foster students’ digital literacy skills.

Responsibilities: The ideal candidate will focus their career on teaching general education first-year writing courses and on continuously developing their professional expertise as a writing instructor. Affiliate Faculty are full-time, teaching faculty with a typical full-time (9-month) teaching load of 12 credit hours per semester, drawn from GVSU's general education writing courses. The position is not tenure track, and there are no scholarship expectations or service obligations. Individuals will be appointed for one academic year on a full-time basis. This may be renewed once for an additional academic year. Thereafter, such individuals may be appointed for three (3) consecutive academic years.

Minimum Starting Salary: $51,000; commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Affiliate Faculty at GVSU are offered acomprehensive benefits packageincluding medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Department: The Department of Writing emphasizes teaching excellence using inclusive writing pedagogies. Full-time faculty uphold the values of a liberal arts education while providing a collaborative, experiential learning environment within writing studies. In addition to offering general education courses in first-year writing, creative writing, and professional communication, the department provides a unique 42-credit modular curriculum for students seeking a B.A. or B.S. in writing.

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds and engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at the Community Resources page on Grand Valley State University Human Resources website.

How To Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following items to the online application:

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU

• Curriculum vitae

• Teaching philosophy statement

• Graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts issued to students are acceptable)

The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically, in the same file location. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview.

If you need technical assistance, email Human Resources (hro@gvsu.edu). Questions about the position may be directed to Department of Writing Chair, Amy Ferdinandt Stolley, at stolleam@gvsu.edu.

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on Monday, November 10, 2025. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Seewww.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.