Assistant Professor of Psychology

Southwestern Community College District; Chula Vista (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwestern Community College District in Chula Vista invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Psychology faculty member focused on equity and student success. The position may include day, evening, weekend, extension site, and online or hybrid assignments to support transfer and certificate programs.

Responsibilities include curriculum development, counseling, and service to students; candidates should have a Master’s in psychology and be prepared to collaborate with diverse

Qualifications

• Master’s in psychology required; PhD preferred but not stated.
• Bachelor’s in psychology and a Master’s in counseling, sociology, statistics, neuroscience or social work also acceptable.
• Experience teaching psychology at the community college level is desirable.
• Commitment to equity-minded teaching and serving diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain professional associations and community connections; participate in curriculum development; collaborate with faculty, staff and administrators.
• Contribute to program review and serve on college committees beyond teaching duties.
• Demonstrate ability to teach multiple psychology courses (e.g., PSYC 270; PSYC C1000) and online courses; engage diverse student populations.

Skills

Teach Psychology

Online teaching

Diversity & equity

Curriculum development

Education

Master’s in psychology

Bachelor’s in psychology + Master’s in counseling/sociology/statistics/neuroscience/social work

Job description

This position may include a combination of day, evening, weekend, extension site, and online or hybrid assignments.

Southwestern Community College District is seeking a full-time, tenure-track, equity-focused faculty member committed to serving its’ culturally diverse student population.

Southwestern Community College District seeks faculty who will foster an inclusive learning environment through equity-minded counseling, teaching, leadership, and service to students working toward goals of university transfer, associate degree and certificate completion, employment advancement, and personal growth.

THE COLLEGE

Southwestern Community College District (SWCCD) is not just a college district; it is a vibrant hub of higher education serving the diverse communities of Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, National City, and Coronado. Our strategic location in south San Diego County places us in a unique position to provide exceptional services to a binational community along the United States-Mexico International Border.

As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution and eligible Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (ANNAPISI), SWCCD places immense value on equity, inclusion, diversity, and culturally responsive classroom instruction and support services. We understand that each employee and student bring a unique set of experiences and perspectives to our campus, and we are committed to creating an environment that welcomes and celebrates this diversity.

The College is dedicated to providing quality academic programs, comprehensive student support services that ensure equitable access, and clear pathways to student success. These efforts include professional development opportunities, employee-led affinity groups, proud commitment to DACA students, and supportive employee onboarding practices.

OUR STUDENTS

SWCCD currently enrolls approximately 32,000 students annually. SWCCD is a very diverse college with an ethnicity/race make up of 58% Hispanic students, 19% Caucasian students, 6% Filipino students, 5% African American students, 2% Asian students and 3% multi-ethnicity. Approximately 56% of the college’s students are under the age of 24 with 28% ages 25 to 39. Approximately 53% of students receive some form of financial aid, 39% are full-time students and 61% part-time students. The college has approximately 1,500 employees.

OUR VALUES

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, academic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. We seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. Successful candidates will be expected to exhibit responsiveness and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, cultural, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, religious, and ethnic and racial backgrounds of community college students and employees, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

1. Critically self-assess their individual impact, through teaching practices and student engagement, on closing equity gaps and holds themselves accountable to upholding and delivering equitable practices.
2. Reframe deficit language and take individual and collective responsibility to look at their own practices as a vehicle to eliminate inequities.
3. Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human differences.
4. Strategically encourage and build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity efforts.

Southwestern Community College District seeks faculty who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Dean of the School of Education, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences. Maintain professional associations and connections with the professional organizations and the community, participate in curriculum development, effectively collaborate with other faculty, staff, and administrators in planning, developing, and executing college initiatives, participate in the program review process, and serve on college committees to positively make contributions to the college beyond teaching responsibilities

Master’s in psychology

OR

Bachelor’s in psychology AND Master’s in counseling, sociology, statistics, neuroscience or social work

OR

The equivalent.

Additional assessment is required for applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States. Applicants must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and must submit a copy of the evaluation with the application.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to teach across the discipline, with an emphasis in Statistics (PSYC 270) and General Psychology (PSYC C1000).
• Ability to also meet the department’s instructional needs in additional courses, such as Human Sexuality, Research Methods, and/or SPSS.
• Ability to contribute to departmental leadership and participate in shared governance activities at the department and college levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work with effectively with students from historically underrepresented populations and a strong commitment to student equity and success.
• Teaching experience in the community college system or an equivalent educational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies into teaching, learning, and assessment practices while promoting critical thinking, ethical AI use, academic integrity, and the development of students’ uniquely human skills.
• Ability to support and contribute to the department’s existing Zero Textbook Cost pathway.
• Demonstrated ability to support and implement college and department initiatives aligned with the California Community Colleges Vision 2030.
• Knowledge and skills to establish programs or partnerships that support transfer, career readiness, and student success outside of the classroom.

Candidates must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities. Experience working in a community with a similar diversity pattern as is found in the service area for Southwestern College is desirable.

A short teaching demonstration may be required of those invited for an interview.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

1. Subject matter preparation:

1. Experience in teaching general lower division Psychology with an emphasis in Statistics, General Psychology, and/or human sexuality.
2. Experience in teaching online courses in Psychology.
3. Work or research experience in the area of Psychology.
4. Obtain Southwestern Community College Distance Education Faculty Training (DEFT) certification, or its equivalent, within four months of hire date.
5. Teaching experience that includes at least two years of post-secondary education; either part-time or full-time.
6. Assume a lead role in the development and implementation of curriculum.
7. Participate in the development of industry and government partnerships, university center development and programs, enhancement of workforce development, work-based-learning, career pathways.
8. In addition to teaching competence in the primary discipline, the successful candidate will also have experience in blending student success strategies, such as goal setting, time-management, problem solving, study methods, and research skills. Candidates who have not had such experience will be expected to gain these competencies during their first year, so that they are able to incorporate these strategies in their own courses.

1. Evidence of ability and effectiveness as a faculty member:

1. Ability to evaluate one’s andragogy and its effectiveness in facilitating student learning.
2. Ability to use teaching methods that engage racially, ethnically, academically, and culturally diverse students; promote critical thinking and emphasize cooperation and collaboration.
3. Sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.
4. Commitment to collegiality and collaboration by working as a team with faculty and staff enhancing instruction, curriculum, and student success; as well as in the planning of class schedules and teaching rotations.
5. Knowledge and practice of culturally responsive pedagogy and andragogy that supports student-centered, self-reflective, and student-capable approaches which includes a wide range of institutional delivery systems.
6. Ability to teach online courses effectively.
7. Commitment to professional responsibilities and associations outside-of-the classroom through contributions to the department, division and college activities.

SALARY SCHEDULE

Academic Contract 10-Month

Upon initial employment, full-time faculty members are placed on the salary schedule based upon years of experience and education. Initial salary placement can range from $70,277.00-$105,742.00 per year.

Faculty members are encouraged to continue their professional development through additional study qualifying them for advancement on the salary schedule. For the current salary schedule and information on salary placement visit our website at www.swccd.edu.

Academic employees participate in the State Teachers’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE (Subject to change):

• November 4–February 7, 2027: Position advertised; District receives applications
• December 21–January 1, 2027: District closed for winter break.
• February 7, 2027: Initial screening deadline for guaranteed consideration. Position is open until filled.
• February 15–26, 2027: Reviewing of applications.
• March 1-12, 2027: Search Committee interviews candidates.
• April, 2027: Top finalist second level interview.
• May, 2027: Successful applicant name submitted to Governing Board for approval.