Position Summary:

Job Description:

POSITION: Western Colorado University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position in English: Creative Writing (Fiction) to teach undergraduate creative writing and first-year writing courses. Additional teaching duties may include literature depending on qualifications. We welcome applicants with secondary specialties in Transatlantic, Global, and/or British Literature. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar who is committed to student-centered learning, professional preparation, and inclusive, interdisciplinary education. The successful candidate will thoughtfully engage current disciplinary conversations about AI and writing and prepare students to evaluate and respond to emerging technologies ethically, with integrity, creativity, and critical discernment. This is an in-person, on-campus position on our vibrant residential campus in Gunnison, Colorado.

The standard teaching load is 24 credit hours per academic year. The successful candidate will deliver engaging, well-designed courses such as ENG 300 – Creative Writing: Fiction, ENG 161 – Introduction to Creative Writing, ENG 358 – Global Literature, and ENG 151 – Borderlands, and may teach other courses aligned with their expertise and departmental needs. We especially value faculty who engage students in high-impact practices such as internships, research, community-based learning, and who participate in our Western Watershed General Education and First-Year Seminar Headwaters courses. We value faculty who work to prepare students for a livelihood based on their values and aid students in gaining post-graduate opportunities.

The English Program (in the Communications, Languages, and Literature Department) serves over 50 students across its majors and minors. Students can earn a degree in English, with emphases in Creative Writing and Secondary Licensure, as well as a degree in English, which focuses on Literature, combining rigorous academic preparation with high-impact experiential learning.

Western supports its faculty by fostering a collaborative and innovative academic community. Our Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) actively engages faculty, staff, and administrators in cross-campus initiatives designed to reimagine WCU’s educational landscape—rooted in diverse expertise and committed to continuous growth. The Professional Activity Fund (PAF) provides financial support for faculty engaged in research, artistic projects, grant writing, and other scholarly or creative activities, with three application opportunities each year.

Western’s faculty are teacher-scholars who contribute meaningfully to their discipline, the campus, our community, and beyond. We seek candidates who will actively support our institutional mission and strategic priorities, including:

Participating in our innovative Western Watershed General Education program;
Promoting wellness, inclusion, and belonging;
Collaborating within and across disciplines to grow enrollment and deepen student engagement;
Expanding career-connected learning and professional pathways.

Learn more about the department at: https://western.edu/undergraduate/english/

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

PhD in English with a creative or critical dissertation or PhD in Creative Writing (Fiction) or closely related discipline.
A demonstrated robust record of publishing in fiction.
Demonstrated experience effectively teaching Creative Writing and First-Year Writing.

Preferred:

Secondary specialization in Transatlantic, Global, and/or British Literature.
Experience with advising, recruitment and retention/growing programs, and advising student organizations and/or clubs.
Demonstrated experience effectively teaching literature courses.
At least two years of teaching Creative Writing and First-Year Writing in a college or university setting.

Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate education, excellence in teaching, and willingness to work with and be sensitive to the educational needs of all students. Candidates must also be able to use technology in instructional delivery, including the ability to teach online and hybrid courses. Collegiality and professional flexibility are sought in the successful candidate.

SALARY/BENEFITS: $55,000-$60,000 annualized salary. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

START DATE: August 17, 2026

APPLICATION: Apply online at www.western.edu/jobs. Required attachments to the application include:

Letter of application providing details of the applicant’s qualifications to teach creative writing and first-year writing, and literature if applicable
Curriculum vitae
1–2-page teaching philosophy
Evidence of successful teaching in Creative Writing and First-Year Writing and mentoring
15–20-page sample of original published creative work
Reference list with names and contact information of three references, including one from a current supervisor.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please direct questions to Tamara Toomey, at (970) 943-7093; email: ttoomey@western.edu.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (MDT.)

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.

Western Colorado University encourages qualified candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS

It is the ongoing policy and practice of Western Colorado University to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local law.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.

Assistant Professor in English

Benefits

Job Description