Job description

The School of Arts and Humanities at Truman State University seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in English and Creative Writing to begin August 2026.

This position is a full-time, nine-month appointment located on Truman’s campus in Kirksville, Missouri. In addition to the duties and responsibilities described below, faculty are expected to contribute to the campus culture of the Liberal Arts and Sciences and interdisciplinarity by teaching in the University’s core curriculum (The Dialogues) and contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives and coursework as needed.

Required Qualifications: This position requires:

• A terminal degree in English or Creative Writing (PhD in English, MFA in Creative Writing) or related field (completed by start date) with expertise in screenwriting,
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., course evaluations) or potential for teaching effectiveness,
• Evidence of relevant scholarly/creative achievements and potential for future scholarly/creative success,
• Strong oral and written communication skills,
• Commitment to the public liberal arts mission of Truman State University,
• Commitment to collegiality within the learning community.

Preferred Qualifications: This position would prefer:

• Expertise in other forms and genres of creative writing, including, but not limited to: fiction, folklore, poetry, the novel, the short story, nonfiction, and/or emerging literary genres,
• The ability to supervise creative writing practica and internships,
• The ability to mentor/supervise a creative writing study away retreat.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching a range of coursework as needed, particularly Screenwriting, Intro to Creative Writing, and Film, Form, and Sense,
• Advising undergraduate registration, capstone BA and BFA projects, MA thesis/portfolio projects, and serving as reader for MAE and MA research projects,
• Service: university-wide committee(s) for minor/interdisciplinary programs, faculty governance, and/or departmental committee(s)/leadership roles.

Applicants will be evaluated on:

• Academic qualifications,
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness,
• Background or interest in interdisciplinary and/or cross-disciplinary teaching,
• Background or interest in digital humanities,
• Evidence of scholarly activity with emphasis on the use of the candidate’s scholarship to inform their teaching,
• Evidence of successful mentoring of undergraduate and graduate research,
• Proficiency in supervision of graduate teaching assistants and the pedagogy of writing instruction;
• Evidence of commitment to liberal arts education as a teacher-scholar and the public liberal arts mission of Truman State University,
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills,
• Compatibility with the department’s needs.

Benefits: Truman offers a comprehensive benefits package including life, health, and disability insurance, retirement contributions, paid sick leave, and a stipend for moving expenses. Paid parental leave and a tuition discount are available for eligible employees after one year. More details: https://hr.truman.edu/benefits/.

Program: The English Department at Truman houses a Creative Writing BFA program, an English BA program, and an English master’s program. The curriculum also contributes to the secondary English and elementary Education master’s programs and supports the Child Studies, Film Studies, and Folklore undergraduate interdisciplinary minors.

The University: Truman State University is home to a vibrant educational community. Our approximately 3,000 students thrive in a challenging, yet supportive, academic environment. More than 25% engage in significant undergraduate research and creative projects. Nearly 40% gain leadership experience, and nearly half go on to graduate or professional school.

Founded in 1867, Truman focuses on student learning outcomes and emphasizes high-impact experiences such as internships, research, and study abroad opportunities. Truman has the highest overall graduation rate among the state’s public four-year colleges and universities. For nearly three decades, Truman has been recognized as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest regional category by U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly consistently ranks Truman as one of the best master’s universities in the nation. For more information about our mission and values and to see additional rankings and acknowledgments, visit truman.edu/about.

The Community: Located in northeast Missouri, Kirksville is a cultural and economic hub in the region. In addition to being the home of Truman, Kirksville is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine and features a medical school, dental school, and community college. The Kirksville School District is consistently recognized for academic excellence. The community takes pride in several annual events including the Red, White and Blue Festival, the Red Barn Arts and Craft Festival, and the FLATS Trail Half-Marathon. The charming downtown area features an arts center, local shops, and restaurants, and it is the site of numerous community events including weekly farmers’ markets and summer concerts on the courthouse lawn. Just a few minutes outside of town is beautiful Thousand Hills State Park with hiking and biking opportunities surrounding the 700-acre Forest Lake. Kirksville offers easy access by car to Kansas City, St. Louis, and Des Moines. Daily flights from Kirksville Regional Airport to Chicago O’Hare provide quick access to one of the country’s major metropolitan areas. More information about Kirksville can be found at visitkirksville.com.

Truman State University is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring, promotion, or any other employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or Missouri law. We are committed to fair and equal treatment in all aspects of employment. Inquiries about these policies may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Officer, 660-785-4354, and [email protected].

Truman is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate form or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources, McClain Hall 101, 100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501, 660-785-4031 or [email protected].

How to apply

Applications must be submitted electronically at https://apply.interfolio.com/174813

For assistance with submitting an application, please contact Human Resources at 660-785-4031 or [email protected].

Complete applications must include:

• A cover letter addressing required and preferred qualifications and relevant past scholarly activity as well as future interests;
• A statement of teaching philosophy that addresses one or more of the current challenges of teaching English and identifies approaches the applicant uses to meet those challenges; discusses the applicant’s commitment to the liberal arts and sciences; and describes the applicant’s dedication to mentoring undergraduate and graduate research;
• A current curriculum vitae;
• Evidence of demonstrated success in teaching excellence and scholarly activity (evaluations, examples of syllabi, assignments, student work);
• A sustainable research/scholarship/creative activity plan that includes a mentorship philosophy for engaging undergraduate and graduate students in your scholarly pursuits;
• Copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial are acceptable); and
• Contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin 11/20/2025 and will continue until the position is filled. If hired, applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States, official graduate transcripts, or documentation of degrees if transcripts are not available. Final candidates are required to successfully pass a background check. Questions about this position may be directed to the Chair of the Department of English, Dr. Jay Self ([email protected]).