Assistant Professor in Chicanx/Latinx Experiences, Law, and Policy, San José State University

San José State University, Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies

About the role

The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at San José State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Chicanx/Latinx Experiences, Law, and Policy, beginning August 2027. The department seeks scholars employing interdisciplinary approaches such as Chicana/o Studies, legal studies, public policy analysis, social justice studies, immigration studies, community-engaged research, restorative justice, racial equity, and the social impacts of emerging technologies.

The department, established in 1968, is one of the nation’s pioneering Ethnic Studies programs and offers a unique graduate program in Chicana/o Studies, one of the oldest in the U.S. Located in Silicon Valley, the department provides opportunities for collaboration with diverse communities, public institutions, and advocacy organizations. Candidates will contribute to undergraduate and graduate curricula, mentor students, and engage in research and public service that advances social justice for Chicanx/Latinx communities in California and beyond.

The College of Social Sciences is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching, linking faculty and student success through culturally sustaining and academically affirming approaches. The university enrolls over 40,000 students, with 45% being first-generation college students and 38% Pell Grant recipients. SJSU is both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an active research and teaching program focused on the intersections of Chicanx/Latinx communities, law, and public policy, including publishing scholarly work, presenting at conferences, and contributing to public-facing or community-engaged scholarship.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Chicana and Chicano Studies, with a focus on law, public policy, and social justice, and contribute to curriculum development.
• Engage in student mentoring, advising, and service to the department, college, university, and broader community.
• Participate in shared governance through department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• Demonstrate awareness of and experience in addressing the needs of a diverse student population through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Requirements

• PhD in Chicana/o Studies, Ethnic Studies, Latinx Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Justice Studies, Public Policy, or a closely related field with a demonstrated specialization in Chicanx/Latinx experiences, law, and/or public policy (degree must be completed by the time of appointment).
• Demonstrated ability to teach and develop undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Chicana and Chicano Studies, particularly in areas such as law, public policy, social justice, or community-based research.
• Demonstrated record of, or clear potential for, scholarly research and publication focused on the intersection of Chicanx/Latinx communities with legal systems, public policy, civil rights, immigration, criminal justice, or related institutional frameworks.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population, as gained through cross-cultural study, training, teaching, or comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in Chicana/o Studies, Ethnic Studies, legal studies, public policy analysis, criminal justice reform, immigration policy, civil rights law, or related applied policy fields, particularly as they relate to California and/or U.S. state and federal systems.
• Successful teaching experience in Chicana/o Studies, Ethnic Studies, or related disciplines, including core departmental courses such as Chicanx/Latinx Communities and the Law, Chicanas/os in the Criminal Justice System, or Public Policy and Social Justice.
• Experience with, or strong potential for, community-engaged scholarship, participatory action research, or collaborative work with community organizations, advocacy groups, legal aid organizations, or public agencies serving Chicanx/Latinx populations.
• Record of, or potential for, securing external funding, fellowships, or grants in support of research, teaching, or community-based initiatives.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students, particularly first-generation and historically underrepresented student populations.
• Ability to contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration with departments such as Justice Studies, Political Science, Sociology, or Ethnic Studies, including development of cross-listed courses or curricular pathways.
• Experience developing innovative pedagogical approaches, including experiential learning, internships, policy labs, or applied research opportunities connecting classroom learning to real-world policy contexts.

Benefits

Faculty employee benefits are highly competitive within the higher education sector. For details, see the CSU Employee Benefits Summary.

Pay

Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $88,000 – $92,000, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule.

Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site position with a target start date of August 19, 2027.