Assistant Professor - English

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

The Department of English in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences seeks applicants for an assistant professor, tenure-track faculty position beginning August 1, 2026. The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching courses in the candidate's area of expertise, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service at the department, college, and university levels.

With twenty full-time faculty members, the Department of English offers a B.A. with emphases in Literature and Creative Writing or in Writing, Editing, and Journalism. The department also offers a dual degree that leads to both a B.A. in English and a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education. The department also supports an on-campus M.A. (with literature and rhetoric/composition tracks) and an online M.A. designed for in-service language arts teachers. The department houses a myriad of impressive student publications including the Spectator (student newspaper), Omnino (undergraduate research journal), and Odradek (literary magazine). For more information on the department visit https://www.valdosta.edu/english/ .

For full consideration completed applications should be submitted by January 15, 2026. For more information contact Dr. Mark Smith, Interim Department Head, via email marksmit@valdosta.edu or phone 229-333-5946.

Application materials should include:

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Statement of current and future research
• Transcripts (unofficial)
• List of three professional references (to include phone number and email address).

Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H-1B) , VSU will not be sponsoring any new H-1B visa petitions until further notice.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

Teaching a standard load of 4/4 per academic year, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service at the department, university, and college levels. Classes may include varieties of professional writing at the undergraduate level and varied rhetoric and composition classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will have a background or interest in developing and growing experiential learning opportunities in the department.

Typical Allocation of Duties :

Teaching and scholarship - 80%
Teaches classes and conducts/presents research in the employee's academic discipline.

Service - 20%
Participates in service at the department, college, and university levels.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in English at the time of appointment with a specialization in Rhetoric and Composition, Professional Writing, Technical Writing or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, as well as scholarship and university service.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise or experience in areas such as digital rhetoric, professional writing, digital publishing and editing; or writing in the disciplines.
• Experience working in or leading a first-year writing program.
• Experience with online teaching.
• Experience with or demonstrated interest in artificial intelligence in higher education settings.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative setting.

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask c andidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation
• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
  • USG Ethics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
  • Drug Free Workplace
  • Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Motor Vehicle Policy
  • Workers Compensation (new hires)
  • Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
  • Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Standard

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu .