Assistant Professor of Italian

Mount Holyoke College & Smith College; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Holyoke College and Smith College invite applications for a joint tenure-track Assistant Professor of Italian with specialization in Medieval, Renaissance, and/or Early Modern Studies, starting July 1, 2027. The successful candidate will teach four courses per year, split between the two campuses, and contribute to interdisciplinary programs across the Five Colleges.

Ability to teach both Italian and English is essential; PhD or ABD is required.

Qualifications

• PhD or ABD in Italian or related field.
• Strong undergraduate teaching record.
• Ability to teach in Italian and English.

Responsibilities

• Teach four courses per year across Mount Holyoke and Smith.
• Engage in research and mentor honors projects.
• Collaborate with Five College colleagues on programs.
• Mentor diverse student body and participate in service.

Skills

Italian language

English language

Education

PhD or ABD

Job description

The Department of Classics and Italian at Mount Holyoke College and the Department of German and Italian at Smith College invite applications for a joint tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Italian with a specialization in Medieval, Renaissance, and/or Early Modern Studies, starting July 1, 2027.

The successful candidate will teach four courses/year split between the two campuses (two at Mount Holyoke and two at Smith). We especially welcome candidates whose work engages Transnational Italian Studies, Mediterranean Studies, Global Early Modern Studies, digital humanities, visual and material culture, environmental humanities, race and ethnicity, and/or migration studies. We seek a colleague with a strong research and teaching record. The successful candidate will teach language, culture, and literature courses with broad interdisciplinary appeal, and will contribute to collaborations across the Five Colleges. The ability to teach both in Italian and in English is essential. PhD or ABD required.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of strong teaching at the undergraduate level and experience mentoring students who are broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. In addition to the teaching load, expectations for the successful candidate include maintaining an active research program, mentoring and advising students through honors projects, special studies, and other independent research.

Candidates will be required to submit, in addition to CV with the names of three referees, a letter of application, and writing sample not exceeding 20 pages, three statements (not exceeding one page each) concerning (1) teaching philosophy, (2) research interests, and (3) a statement about mentoring a diverse student body. Candidates should submit these materials by December 7, 2026. Three reference letters will be requested at a later date in the process. Questions may be addressed to Denise Falk, Department Coordinator, Department of Classics and Italian, Mount Holyoke College at [e-mail].

Minimum starting rate of pay: $90,000.

Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges are undergraduate liberal arts colleges with over 2000 students each. They are located about 90 miles west of Boston in the Connecticut River valley, and are members of the Five College Consortium consisting of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts. They are women’s colleges that are gender diverse. The Colleges are committed to providing equal access and opportunity in employment and education to all employees and students. In compliance with state and federal law, Mount Holyoke College and Smith College do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, genetic information, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, ancestry, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state or local law.

Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Mount Holyoke College, the leading gender-diverse women’s college, is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are a diverse community of staff, faculty, and students, united in our mission to offer an intellectually adventurous education in the liberal arts through academic programs that are renowned internationally for their cross-disciplinary excellence, experiential approach, and commitment to diversity.

Mount Holyoke College is a welcoming and inclusive environment that values and respects individuals of all backgrounds. As an EOE, we encourage members of historically underrepresented groups or nontraditional backgrounds to apply for open positions at our institution. The College has a long-standing tradition of providing women and other historically underrepresented groups with access to an innovative educational experience that prepares students for purposeful leadership by integrating hands-on opportunities into the curriculum. We firmly believe that diversity enriches our community and enhances our ability to prepare students for success in an increasingly globalized world.

We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all qualified applicants and to building an exemplary workforce that reflects the diversity of our student body and the communities we serve. Our ultimate goal is to produce graduates who are capable of engaging thoughtfully, effectively, and boldly with the world.