"Assistant Professor of African American History"

Job Details

Assistant Professor of African American History
Allendale, MI
Full Time
R103732

Summary: The History Department at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of African American History to begin Fall 2026. Applicants are expected to have a PhD in History or a closely related field. The teaching load of three courses per semester will include surveys (Introduction to American Civilizations, US History to/since 1877), upper-division seminars (African American History, U.S. Civil Rights Movement History) with the opportunity to develop upper division courses in the candidate's area of specialty, and core curriculum courses (Introduction to the Study of History, The Historian's Craft: What Historians Know and How They Know It, Junior Seminar in History, and Senior Capstone). Region and time period of specialization are open. 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:

• Ph.D. in History or a closely related field. Current ABD candidates will be considered if they will have the degree in hand by August 6, 2026.
• Potential for successful college-level teaching.
• Support core curriculum courses (Introduction to the Study of History, The Historian's Craft: What Historians Know and How They Know It, Junior Seminar in History, and Senior Capstone).
• Active research agenda in African American history.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Experience teaching survey-level courses and upper division courses.

Responsibilities:

• Duties each semester include a 9-credit hour teaching load, baseline scholarship and service, and a significant focus (equivalent to 3 credit hours) of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and/or service depending on the candidate's interests and the department's needs.
• The teaching load of three courses per semester will include a combination of surveys (Introduction to American Civilizations, US History to/since 1877) and upper-division seminars (African American History, U.S. Civil Rights Movement History) with the opportunity to develop upper division courses in the candidate's area of specialty, as well as core curriculum courses (Introduction to the Study of History, The Historian's Craft: What Historians Know and How They Know It, Junior Seminar in History, and Senior Capstone).
• Region and time period of specialization are open.
• Advising History majors doing Senior Theses and other interested students writing Honors Theses.
• Supporting Africana Studies minor.
• An active research agenda related to African American history.

Minimum Starting Salary: $67,070; commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Department: The Department of History consists of over thirty faculty committed to excellence in undergraduate teaching, cutting-edge scholarship, and public outreach and engagement. It also oversees a robust program in Social Studies Education, with dedicated faculty experts in this field. The faculty's fields of expertise include North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and World History, as well as Public History and the History of Science/Technology/Medicine. The department values a collegial teaching and working environment.

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 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 that describes your experiences engaging and supporting students from various backgrounds and experiences.
• Contact information of three professional references who can provide letters of reference upon request.
• 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 assistance, email Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu. Questions about the position may be directed to Abigail Gautreau at gautreaa@gvsu.edu.

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on November 3, 2025. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.