"Assistant/Associate Professor of Creative Writing (Tenure - Track)"

The Department of English, Rhetoric and Writing at Berry College seeks a teacher-writer-mentor at the assistant or associate professor level (tenure-track) in fiction writing and writing pedagogy to help meet the needs of our growing creative writing major. An expertise in contemporary realism and novel writing would especially help meet the needs of our students. The department is also developing a professional writing minor, and this hire may assist in the development of that minor and have teaching responsibilities within it. The candidate will be committed to our mission of cultivating astute, creative, and sensitive readers and writers who understand the power and complexity of literature as an artistic expression of human experiences. They will also demonstrate enthusiasm for teaching in a liberal arts environment, including teaching first-year writing, and a genuine commitment to mentoring and guiding undergraduate students. The position starts in August 2026.

The successful candidate will be joining a vibrant department in the Evans School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. The department is collegial, supportive, and committed to the success of our students, providing a range of courses and approaches to literature and creative writing, both traditional and innovative, that advance our values of inclusion, empathy, and respect for and service to others. Berry Faculty often mentor students as research assistants through the college's LifeWorks program, guiding them in undergraduate research and coaching them in the development of their capstone portfolios. This hire will also assist in bringing in visiting writers for the department's Creative Writing Reading Series, facilitating interactions between our students and a range of successful, published writers.

This new faculty member will teach courses in introduction to creative writing and share responsibilities for intermediate and advanced fiction, combining study of and instruction in craft with students' creative production. They will also help staff our two unique 400-level courses, Writing about Place and Writing and Community, and will aid us in developing new courses in creative writing and in professional writing. All faculty in the department teach first-year writing. Applicants at the associate level may also have the opportunity for leadership roles within the department.

Requirements:

Applicants should hold an MFA or a Ph.D. in creative writing. ABD candidates near completion will be considered. Review of applications will begin October 11, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Additional Information:

ABOUT BERRY COLLEGE
Berry is a selective independent college of 2,200 students located adjacent to Rome, GA, midway between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN. Berry's educational approach deliberately unites challenging academic programs with practical work experience in a residential campus community that encourages faith and emphasizes caring for the needs of others above self. Our mission and values are grounded in the ethic that our founder instilled more than a century ago: "We educate the head, heart, and hands - to inspire leaders of integrity who cultivate thriving communities." Combining academic exploration with meaningful work responsibilities in a residential setting, our approach emphasizes firsthand experiences and mentoring. We invest in the personal growth and professional preparation of talented students from varied backgrounds, with an enduring commitment to help those hindered by financial need. Guided by Christian principles, we value the dignity of individuals, the search for truth tempered with grace, and the well-being of our neighbors.

Nationally recognized for quality of learning and quality of life, Berry offers first-rate undergraduate degree programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, and human sciences, as well as undergraduate and master's level opportunities in business, physician associate studies, and teacher education. The College's stunning 27,000-acre campus affords opportunities that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Berry's ongoing commitment is to provide exceptional educational experiences to talented students from a wide range of social, racial, and economic backgrounds.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
Berry College is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity institution, Berry complies with all applicable laws and provisions prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies. Berry respects the essential dignity of all individuals and accordingly hires and promotes employees without regard to matters of personal identity such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Berry College is committed to ensuring that facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to everyone, including those seeking employment at Berry College. Inquiries about interviews or workplace accommodations are welcome. You can reach out to us at employment@berry.edu or (706) 233-4062.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit a letter of application describing the candidate's interest in this position and commitment to the Berry mission and values; a curriculum vitae; a teaching statement that should articulate the candidate's teaching approach, experience, and goals; a statement of research plans; unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts; and names and contact information of three references.

Review of applications will begin on October 11 and will continue until the position is filled.

Specific questions about the position may be sent directly to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Clint Peters, at cpeters@berry.edu.