"Assistant Professor of English Creative Writing"

The English Department at Ohio Wesleyan University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Creative Writing (open field, multiple genres) to lead its popular Creative Writing major beginning August 2026. We seek an outstanding teacher-artist who respects the creativity of every genre–whether commercial or literary–and who will forge connections to one or more of OWU’s interdisciplinary programs. Priority will be given to candidates with strengths that would enhance our department’s existing offerings in literature, film, writing, and/or publishing.

New faculty at OWU benefit from strong institutional support, including the opportunity to apply for start-up funding, a pre-tenure sabbatical, and extensive opportunities for student-faculty collaboration through the Summer Scholarship Research Program and our signature experience, The OWU Connection. The department is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community with wide-ranging teaching and research interests, supported by faculty development and mentoring from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation.

This position is part of a faculty cluster hire designed to expand our curriculum and strengthen our community of teacher-scholars. Faculty in this cohort will join a college deeply committed to flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity. New faculty have opportunities for mentoring, professional development, and collaboration across the Ohio Five and GLCA consortia.

Responsibilities:

• A six-course annual teaching load (3/3)
• Engaging in a consistent line of creative work
• Coordinating the annual Poets & Writers reading series
• Supervising The Owl, the department’s literary magazine
• Advising students in their academic journey
• Providing service to the department, university, and profession
• Assisting in curriculum development, revision, and evaluation

Qualifications:

• MFA or Ph.D. in Creative Writing in hand by August 2026
• A record of creative activity and successful college-level teaching experience
• Candidates skilled in pedagogical practices that promote classroom inclusivity are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements:

Applicants should submit the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae;
• Teaching and Student Engagement Statement: Please provide a statement that articulates your teaching philosophy. In your statement, address your ability to teach a broad range of courses and to employ pedagogical approaches that support students with varied perspectives and experiences leading to their success. Describe how you connect students with opportunities, resources, and networks that expand their access to your field of study. Include examples of outreach, advising, or program activities that have supported students whose pathways into the discipline may not follow a traditional trajectory.

Please submit all materials via www.owu.edu/joinOWUfaculty, where you will find additional information about working at OWU. Official transcripts, reference letters, and additional materials may be requested at a later time.

Review of applications will begin on October 13, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Questions may be directed to Dr. Zack Long, search chair (zclong@owu.edu).