"Tenure Track Faculty Specialist in Spirituality, Culture, and Health"

Job Details

The Department of World Religions and Cultures at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, invites applications for an academic year, tenure track Faculty Specialist I- or II-lecturer position.

Major Responsibilities: The successful candidate will teach mostly online undergraduate and graduate courses related to the intersection of religion, spirituality, culture, and health, and perform advising and directing duties for a Master’s program and a certificate program (both fully completable online) in Spirituality, Culture, and Health. The expected course load will be three courses in both the Fall and Spring semesters (six courses per academic year). There will likely be opportunity to teach courses in summer sessions for additional compensation. The successful candidate will also participate in departmental, college, and university service roles.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Religion or related field of study, by December 2026, and record of successful teaching experience are required. Desired qualifications include: experience using technology to support teaching, including online experience; a documented history of promoting student engagement, success, and achievement through teaching, mentoring and advising; and experience working with or in health care and human services organizations.

The University: Western Michigan University (WMU), located in Southwest Michigan, is a vibrant, nationally recognized student-centered research institution with an enrollment of nearly 18,000. WMU delivers high-quality undergraduate instruction, has a strong graduate division, and fosters significant research activities. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies WMU as a doctoral university and one of just 185 public universities in the nation conducting research at a high level.

The College: The College of Arts and Sciences represents the foundation of learning and the academic heart of WMU. As articulated in the College of Arts and Sciences strategic plan, we are committed to fostering a community of diverse and globally engaged scholars, learners, and leaders. With 22 departments and interdisciplinary schools and institutes, WMU’s largest college offers a broad range of learning opportunities and career paths for our students. CAS students have received very competitive awards including Goldwater Fellowships, Udall Scholarships, Boren Fellowships, and Fulbright awards, among others. For more information, see http://www.wmich.edu/cas/.

The Department: The Department of World Religions and Cultures has faculty who study and teach on a number of religious traditions and their intersections with aspects of society and culture from a range of disciplinary perspectives. The department has one of the oldest religious studies programs at a state university in the United States and is the only department with graduate programs in religion in Michigan.

Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo is located midway between and about a two and a half hour drive from both Chicago and Detroit and only 45 minutes from the beaches of Lake Michigan. It is in one of Michigan’s designated research corridors, maintaining a strong life sciences/biotech presence and supporting two leading medical centers. With 263,000 people in the greater Kalamazoo area, the community offers an array of cultural events, entertainment, and all-season recreation. The city supports an international keyboard competition and a nationally recognized symphony and has earned a reputation for a vibrant community theatre and visual arts scene. Kalamazoo is committed to community development and the elimination of generational poverty through its Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo initiative, with structural budgetary support provided by the City of Kalamazoo’s Foundation for Excellence program. Kalamazoo also is the home of the Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship program offered to all Kalamazoo Public School students that covers up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees to all Michigan public (and many private) institutions of higher learning.

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, with an excellent benefits package.

Expected Start Date: August 2026

Required application documents: Please submit a detailed cover letter supporting your qualifications, experience, and interests as well as a curriculum vitae, unofficial graduate school transcripts, and three samples of teaching materials (e.g., syllabuses, assignments, lectures or presentations). Candidates may submit letters of recommendation, but must submit names, titles, affiliations, postal and e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. Prior teaching evaluations are welcome.

Go to: wmich.edu/hr/employees/faculty for benefits and other information.

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.