Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing: Poetry)

About the role

Union College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of English specializing in Poetry, beginning September 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin November 2, 2026 and continue until the position is filled, with priority consideration for applications received by that date. The position is located in Schenectady, NY.

Responsibilities

• Teach poetry workshops at all levels and design literature electives.
• Contribute to the college's Complex Questions general education curriculum.
• Develop a First-Year Inquiry course aligned with the candidate’s interests.
• Optionally organize a departmental reading series (preferred).
• Incorporate digital tools and platforms into teaching and/or poetry publication, and expand digital course offerings, potentially crossing with Computer Science, Digital Studies, Digital Media, or Science, Technology, and Society programs.
• Demonstrate interest and/or excellence in the creation, curation, and maintenance of a peer‑reviewed online journal, magazine, or other digital resource for undergraduate creative writing.
• Show commitment to underrepresented perspectives, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ writers, and support interdisciplinary programs such as Africana Studies, American Studies, Asian Studies, Climate Change Studies, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, Mental Health Care, Music Technology, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Law & Humanities, Religious Studies, Russian & Eastern European Studies, and Public Health.

Requirements

• M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing (Poetry) at the time of hire.
• Experience teaching creative writing.
• Established publication record, such as a published book of poetry or its digital equivalent, or a series of poems published in peer‑reviewed journals.

Qualifications

• Interest and/or excellence in digital poetics or broader digital studies.
• Experience incorporating digital tools and platforms into teaching and/or creative work.
• Experience organizing a departmental reading series (preferred).
• Experience creating, curating, or maintaining a peer‑reviewed online journal or digital resource for undergraduate creative writing.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusivity and community for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Ability to contribute to Union’s interdisciplinary programs listed above.

Skills

• Poetry writing and editing.
• Teaching creative writing and literature at undergraduate levels.
• Curriculum development, including First‑Year Inquiry and general education courses.
• Digital literacy: use of digital tools/platforms for teaching and publication.
• Journal management and online publishing.
• Collaboration across disciplines (e.g., Computer Science, Digital Studies).
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in pedagogy and service.

Benefits

• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts).
• Free On‑Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On‑Campus