"Hendrix-Murphy Fellow in Literature and Language"

Hendrix College invites applications from scholars whose teaching and writing focus on pre-1900 American literature, with an open secondary expertise, for a Hendrix-Murphy Fellow in Literature and Language to begin in August 2026 for a three-year term position. Experience teaching writing is also desirable. The Fellow will have the opportunity to teach an Oxford-style tutorial course in literature; appropriate training in that pedagogy will be provided by the college. The College seeks to extend its tradition of excellence in teaching and scholarship by attracting faculty who combine mastery of their disciplines with broad intellectual interests and commitment to the aims of a liberal arts college.

The Hendrix-Murphy Fellow in English is expected to be in residence at Hendrix throughout three academic years. This is a blended teaching-programmatic position and is one of three Fellows in the departments of English, Languages, and Theatre Arts and Dance. As a faculty member, the Murphy Fellow in English teaches three courses in the first year (one in the fall semester and two in the spring) and four courses in the second and third years (two in the fall and two in the spring). As program staff, the Fellow supports the Murphy Scholars Program through organizational assistance, informal advising and mentoring of Scholars, and community-building. Doctorate is preferred; ABD will be considered.

The programmatic part of the position serves the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation (https://www.hendrixmurphy.org/), whose mission is the enrichment and enhancement of literature and language at Hendrix College. Supported by a generous endowment, much of the Foundation’s programming is college-wide and its core activity centers on the Murphy Scholars Program in Literature and Language.

While the Fellows teach non–Murphy Scholars as well as Murphy Scholars, beyond the classroom their primary role is mentorship of the Murphy Scholars. Under the supervision of the Foundation Director, Fellows assist with program organization, advise Scholars about literature and language cocurricular projects, and attend literary and language-related events such as talks by visiting writers, student presentations, and informal literature and language discussions). Fellows are encouraged to take part collegially in the general life of their departments and Hendrix as a whole.

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the candidate’s interest in teaching in a demanding liberal arts environment, a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching interests, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and graduate transcripts. Materials should be submitted electronically at www.hendrix.edu/jobs. In addition, three letters of recommendation should be sent by e-mail to facultyrecs@hendrix.edu. Address cover letter to Dr. Alex Vernon, English Department Chair. Review of materials will begin on March 9, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Hendrix is a distinguished liberal arts college located in Conway, Arkansas, thirty miles from Little Rock at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The College, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, has a strong commitment to excellence in teaching liberal arts. Hendrix College is an equal opportunity employer, and all applications will be considered without regard to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other characteristic specified by law. The College is committed to maintaining an atmosphere of civility and respect for all students, faculty, and staff.