AY 2026-2027 - Higher Education in Prison Adjunct Faculty Pool

About the role

The Higher Education in Prison (HEP) program collects new applications throughout the academic year to fill vacancies. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.

University Studies and HEP faculty model intellectual passion and curiosity because they believe in the fundamental aspiration of higher education to prepare people to improve the world. Our faculty are inclusive, interdisciplinary, and practice inquiry-based pedagogy that: provokes students to build self-efficacy through relational learning across difference, encourages a community of educators to practice engaged teaching for transformative learning, advances civic engagement, reflective practice, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply a commitment to create a welcoming, inclusive, and responsive classroom environment that is responsive to diverse points of view and learning styles.
• Teach a variety of courses and subjects in the Liberal Studies program, including but not limited to: [Please list the three courses and/or subjects from the supplemental questions]
• Facilitate online or hybrid courses, if applicable.
• Teach writing across the curriculum, if applicable.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree or equivalent.
• Eligibility to receive volunteer credentials with the Oregon Department of Corrections.
• Strong commitment to student confidentiality and privacy.
• Strong communication, writing, organizational, technology, and interpersonal skills.
• When applicable, reliable transportation to the correctional facilities (Coffee Creek Correctional and/or Oregon State Penitentiary).
• All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal Degree.
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment.
• Experience with prison education programs.
• Experience working with marginalized populations.

Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Sets opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

• Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Professional Standards of Conduct

• Maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff.

Compensation

Adjuncts are paid per credit hour, and are hired on either a per term or an academic year basis, per the PSUFA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Application Instructions

Details about compensation and other components of the Portland State University Faculty Association Union (PSUFA) can be found at: https://www.pdx.edu/academic-affairs/academic-unions. All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.

Search Details

Posting Close Date: Not specified

Supplemental Questions

• Please demonstrate how you would develop and apply your commitment to create a classroom environment that is welcoming, inclusive and responsive to diverse points of view and learning styles. Please limit your answer to 500 words.
• Please select which location you prefer:
• Wilsonville: Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
• Salem: Area prisons in coordination with Oregon State Penitentiary
• No Preference, either location
• Please list no more than three (3) courses and/or subjects that you are interested in teaching, AND your qualifications to teach those courses or subject matter. You can view our courses on PSU’s website. https://www.pdx.edu/academics/programs/undergraduate/liberal-studies
• Have you facilitated an online or hybrid (partially online) course? If so, what subject(s)?
• Have you taught writing across the curriculum? If so, please describe briefly.
• Please list special studies, honors, offices held, special abilities, or other information you feel would be helpful in considering your application for employment.
• Which terms would you prefer to teach?
• Fall (late September-mid-December)
• Winter (January-March)
• Spring (April-June)
• Summer (June-August)
• Please share the days and times you are available to teach during the terms you selected.