Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, & Writing Program Director

Sonoma State University; Rohnert Park (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition and Writing Program Director. The position combines tenure-track teaching with leadership of the university's first-year writing program, emphasizing digital and multimodal literacies and professional communication.

The successful candidate will teach courses in rhetoric and composition, contribute to curriculum development, mentoring, and program assessment, and maintain an

Qualifications

• Ph. D. or Ed. D. in Rhetoric and Composition, Writing Studies, or closely related field, in hand by August 1, 2027
• Evidence of graduate-level coursework in composition theory and pedagogy
• Experience teaching at the university level and demonstrated expertise necessary to teach rhetoric and composition courses, including first-year writing
• Demonstrated expertise necessary to coordinate and administer a university writing program
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching and to supporting students from diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds
• Evidence (peer-reviewed articles or dissertation) of an active or developing scholarly research agenda in rhetoric and composition, critical literacies, and/or writing studies

Responsibilities

• Provide collaborative leadership for the university's first-year writing program and teach rhetoric and composition courses and upper-division courses emphasizing digital and multimodal literacies and professional communication.
• Coordinate curriculum development and program assessment; support culturally responsive pedagogies and program structures; and provide mentoring, teaching resources, and professional development in collaboration with lecturer and tenure-line faculty.
• Maintain an active program of scholarship, research, and/or creative activity in rhetoric and composition and/or writing studies consistent with English Department's criteria for retention, tenure, and promotion.
• Engage in service to the University, profession, and community, including advising students, participation in campus and system-wide communities, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively with colleagues, and participating in traditional academic functions.

Skills

University teaching

Curriculum leadership

Inclusive teaching

Digital/multimodal literacies

Education

Ph. D./Ed. D. in Rhetoric & Composition or related field

Graduate coursework in composition theory/pedagogy

Job description

Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, & Writing Program Director

Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA

Type: Full-Time

Salary: $75,000 - $84,000 per year

Category: English and Literature

Work Type: Instructional Faculty - Tenured/Tenure-Track

Location: Sonoma

Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Letters/Humanities, Probationary, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Department Of English

Faculty Employment Opportunity

Instructional Faculty, Unit 3 California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time at Sonoma State University

Starting August 2027

Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, & Writing Program Director

The University

Sonoma State University's beautiful 274-acre campus is located in Sonoma County wine country, an hour north of San Francisco. The campus offers the ideal setting for teaching and learning and access to a community of rich cultural, environmental, and recreational opportunities. Founded in 1960, SSU is one of the 22 campuses of the California State University System. As members of the largest public higher education system in the nation, we provide accessible, high-quality education.

The Department

Faculty in the English Department are equally committed to undergraduate and graduate teaching. Students who wish to major in English may choose one of three plans, each of which provides a coherent program with a particular emphasis. After a core of required courses, students will follow programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts in English degree with a concentration in English and American Literature, Creative Writing, or English Education (which integrates the study of literature, writing, language, and culture and prepares students to enter post-baccalaureate single-subject teaching credential programs in English). The English Department has historically offered one of Sonoma State University's most robust graduate programs, with M.A. tracks in Literary Criticism, Creative Writing, and Rhetoric and English Education. Its alumni teach at local community colleges and high schools across the state and work as grant writers, technical writers, and in a wide range of other professions. The M.A. is currently undergoing a comprehensive redesign to build on these strengths and respond to changing student and regional needs.

The department has a long history of providing students of diverse backgrounds with the chance to study literature and practice creative writing with a faculty dedicated to quality education and personalized support and instruction. We are committed to serving students from all backgrounds and are proud that the department and Sonoma State provide access to all residents of California (and beyond). Our faculty are expected to teach in the general education program and to be flexible in terms of meeting the needs of the department. Although we teach some large classes, and some for general education, there are plentiful opportunities for faculty to mentor and teach students in smaller classroom settings.

The English Department's Creative Writing literary reading series and writers' festival bring nationally and internationally known writers to campus annually. The department is home to Zaum, the AWP-award winning student magazine, and a small book-publishing venture.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to see the department's web page at: english.sonoma.edu

Duties of the Position

The English Department at Sonoma State University seeks candidates for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition and Writing Program Director. The successful candidate will provide collaborative leadership for the university's first-year writing program and teach rhetoric and composition courses and upper-division courses emphasizing digital and multimodal literacies and professional communication. The successful candidate, like all English faculty, will also be able to teach courses in the GE program as well as specialized courses in additional areas of expertise. Upon an anticipated reinstatement of the English MA program in the future, responsibilities will also include graduate teaching and mentoring students completing theses in rhetoric and composition.

As Writing Program Director, the successful candidate will coordinate curriculum development and program assessment; support culturally responsive pedagogies and program structures; and provide mentoring, teaching resources, and professional development in collaboration with lecturer and tenure-line faculty. Working with the department chair and campus partners, the director will advance writing instruction that supports first-year engagement and retention, address equity gaps, and build on students' linguistic and cultural resources. Responsibilities will include supporting faculty across the university in multilingual literacy and culturally responsive writing pedagogy, with attention to historically underrepresented and first-generation college students and developing approaches to using digital technologies that strengthen students' agency as writers.

The successful candidate will maintain an active program of scholarship, research, and/or creative activity in rhetoric and composition and/or writing studies consistent with English Department's criteria for retention, tenure, and promotion.

Faculty Responsibilities

In addition to teaching and scholarship, faculty are expected to engage in service to the University, profession, and community. These responsibilities include: advising students, participation in campus and system-wide communities, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participating in traditional academic functions.

Sonoma State is committed to the Teacher/Scholar model and places an emphasis on faculty support of undergraduate research and other professional opportunities for students. Faculty are also expected to foster our commitment to the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 through excellent teaching, advising, and mentoring. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the University's Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Policy. During the first two years of the probationary period the instructional assignment will be reduced by two courses per academic year for probationary faculty members, in order to assist in establishing their programs of research, scholarship, and/or creative activities, and carrying out other activities that would support them in meeting the requirements for retention, tenure, and promotion. All faculty are required to have the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Required Qualifications

• Ph. D. or Ed. D. in Rhetoric and Composition, Writing Studies, or closely related field, in hand by August 1, 2027
• Evidence of graduate-level coursework in composition theory and pedagogy
• Experience teaching at the university level and demonstrated expertise necessary to teach rhetoric and composition courses, including first-year writing
• Demonstrated expertise necessary to coordinate and administer a university writing program
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching and to supporting students from diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds
• Evidence (peer-reviewed articles or dissertation) of an active or developing scholarly research agenda in rhetoric and composition, critical literacies, and/or writing studies

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering a university writing program
• Experience in curriculum development and writing assessment
• Experience with writing across the curriculum and writing in the disciplines
• Demonstrated experience with digital/multimodal literacies
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive-sustaining pedagogy
• Interest in building partnerships with regional schools, community colleges, and community organizations to support writing and educational access

Rank and Salary

Service credit depends upon academic preparation and professional experience. The anticipated salary range for this full-time assistant professor position is: $75,000 to $84,000.

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter (2-3 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy (1-2 pages)
• Unofficial transcripts (Official transcripts will be required of the selected candidate)
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