Visiting Professor

Categories: Instruction, Counseling

Two Term Appointment (Winter, Spring 2027), Potential for an Additional Academic Year Renewal

Submit for full consideration by October 22, 2026

About Palo Alto University (PAU)

Palo Alto University is a private, nonprofit university dedicated to advancing human understanding through innovative education, groundbreaking research, and impactful practice in behavioral science.

Founded in 1975 and located in the heart of Silicon Valley, PAU offers graduate and undergraduate programs in psychology, counseling, social work, and behavioral science, including the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium with Stanford Medicine. Grounded in human dignity, PAU's scholars, clinicians, educators, and learners share a single conviction: that understanding how people think, feel, behave, relate, heal, and make meaning is among the most essential work of our time.

The university enrolls over 1,200 students, has a network of more than 4,200 alumni, and employs over 150 faculty and staff united by a mission-driven commitment to advancing human understanding. PAU enters its sixth decade at a defining moment: a new president, a new provost, a bold new vision and strategic plan, and an urgent opportunity to shape how behavioral science responds to the challenges of an increasingly changing world. You will join a mission-driven community with the ambition to make a measurable impact on the human condition.

The Role

The PAU Department of Counseling is seeking a Visiting Assistant Professors to support our CACREP-accredited Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and our Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) Doctoral program, where candidates can join our faculty in innovative excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service. The selected candidate will be required to demonstrate teaching and professional experiences that contribute to the specialization area, including teaching and supervision experiences in clinical practice courses (practicum and internship) and student mentoring. The selected candidate will also need to demonstrate the ability to enhance the Counselor Education Programs' mission to integrate advocacy, social justice, cultural competence, and ethical practice into the preparation of counseling professionals. This includes demonstrated engagement in professional service and leadership in counseling and community organizations.

Responsibilities

1. Teaching and Advising

· Teach 24 units per year over Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 quarter; (3 classes per quarter)

· Teach synchronous residential and virtual courses and be available for teaching in-person residency experiences as needed.

2. Service and Engagement

· Engage in 6 units over two quarters by serving on department and university committees

· Participate in department and university faculty meetings.

· Serve in leadership roles regionally and nationally in recognized counseling profession associations and organizations.

3. Research and Scholarship

Research/scholarship is not required for this faculty line. It is optional.

4. Faculty are expected to attend university events, such as convocation, commencement, graduation, and other major events.

Required Qualifications:

· Doctoral degree in Counseling Education and Supervision, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program;

· Professional identity as a counselor and a counselor educator, as demonstrated by affiliation with relevant professional counseling associations, including the American Counseling Association and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision;

· License or license eligible as a Mental Health Counselor or Marriage, Family, Child Counselor or related counseling discipline.;

· Demonstrated excellence in teaching in virtual, synchronized, and in-person formats;

· Demonstrated clinical knowledge and skills;

· Demonstrated capacity to engage in scholarly presentations;

· Demonstrated engagement in leadership and/or service in the counseling and/or counselor education profession, such as committee members and chairs;

· Demonstrated ability to communicate with students in-person and connect online through email, video conferencing, and chat;

· Evidence of inclusive excellence and innovation, as well as training and experience with multicultural competence in counseling;

· Demonstrated commitment to facilitating conversations related to culture, power, and oppression and increasing cultural sensitivity in students.

Application Procedures:

PAU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse, equitable, and inclusive population. In your cover letter, please include information on how your background and experience have prepared you to thrive in an environment that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and innovation as core to its mission and values.

The expected start date for this position is December 2026 onboarding for January, Interested candidates should submit:

· A letter of interest

· Curriculum Vitae

· One-page statement of teaching philosophy

· One-page statement of equity, diversity, and inclusion

· A one-page list of 3-5 references with contact information

· One-to-three-page summary of teaching evaluations and TA, student, and/or peer comments/observations of teaching. Tables of teaching evaluation scores can be provided.

The position is open until filled. All applications received by October 22, 2026 will receive full consideration. Please direct questions to:

Dr. Tameeka Hunter (she/her), Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CRC

Assistant Professor and Visiting Professor Search Committee Chair

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

Palo Alto University is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and employment practices. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition, disability, or any other status protected by law.

As provided by law, PAU will offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of the position without undue hardship to the university.

PAU is committed to building a high-quality work environment that attracts and welcomes employees from a wide range of backgrounds.