Honors Teaching Specialist

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Tuition benefit program

Retirement plans

PSLF opportunity

TransitPass

Job summary

The University of Minnesota's University Honors Program (UHP) seeks two Teaching Specialists for the 10-month, on-campus roles. You will teach HCOL 3101H, develop Honors Seminar courses, and organize NEXUS experiences for a diverse student body across campuses.

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree with demonstrated undergraduate teaching excellence; PhD preferred. Hybrid schedule requires three on-campus days per week from August–May, with a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required with proven undergraduate teaching excellence.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students.
• Ability to design and teach honors seminars and cross-disciplinary programming.

Responsibilities

• Teach two or three sections per semester of HCOL 3101H: The Honors Thesis - Development.
• Develop and teach at least one Honors Seminar course each year.
• Lead NEXUS Experiences and other honors programming.
• Assist with departmental events and support UHP students.

Skills

Teaching

Mentoring

Curriculum development

Student advising

Education

Masters Degree

PhD or equivalent terminal degree

Job description

About the Job

The University Honors Program (UHP) is seeking applications for twofull-time Teaching Specialists to join our staff. These areannually renewable non tenure-track 10-month positions, which willrequire at least 3 days a week of on-campus work. These positionswill teach courses for the 2400+ students in the University HonorsProgram, who span all the undergraduate colleges of the Universityof Minnesota. Honors Teaching Specialists will teach, on average,two or three sections per semester of the one-credit HCOL 3101H:The Honors Thesis - Development course, focused on research methodsand support for students preparing to write their honors thesis.Additionally, Honors Teaching Specialists will be asked to develop20 person Honors Seminar courses and NEXUS experiences based ontheir own academic interests to a cross-disciplinary audience ofundergraduate Honors students and teach those each semester.

Hybrid: Requires 3 days a week of on-campus work (August -May)

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible forH-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEMOPT training program.

This is a 10-month appointment, typically aligned with the academicyear (generally running from August through May). Please note thatthe exact start and end dates are subject to change based ondepartmental needs and operational demands. The ideal search willproduce one candidate with a background in a STEM field and onecandidate with a background in the humanities or social sciences,enabling UHP to support the broadest range of student interestspossible. Candidates who advance to an interview will be asked tosubmit a draft proposal for an honors seminar for 20 students froma variety of disciplines with no prerequisites that they wouldteach in Spring.

Job Duties:

Thesis Supporting Course Instruction (35%)

• Teach two or three sections per-semester of HCOL 3101H: TheHonors Thesis - Development
• Support registered students in and out of class as they exploreresearch interests, contact potential faculty mentors, conductliterature reviews, and understand research methodologies
• Selectively serve as a reader on thesis committees forundergraduate honors theses

Honors Seminar Instruction (35%)

• Develop and teach at least one Honors Seminar course each year on a topic related to your academic background.

NEXUS Experiences and Academic Programming (20%)

• Lead non-credit bearing co-curricular activities for honorsstudents as part of our NEXUS Experiences (e.g. organize a seriesof laboratory tours, lead a seminar, take part in experientiallearning trips around Minnesota)
• Develop new and innovative NEXUS Experiences
• Organize and assist with programming aimed to assist UHPstudents, such as panels on graduate school preparation,undergraduate research, student networking events, deliveringsingle lectures to first year students, etc., and other duties asassigned.

Departmental Support (10%)

• Assist with broader UHP programming at events like the HonorsRecognition Ceremony or University Research Symposium
• Work with academic departments and campus partners to supportHonors students
• Attend UHP staff meetings, retreats, and take part in theProgram’s committees
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Masters Degree
• Record of excellence in teaching and mentoringundergraduates

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree
• Experience developing and leading high-impact educationalprogramming
• Experience preparing and mentoring undergraduate students forresearch experiences
• Experience with interdisciplinary and high ability studentpopulations

About the Department

Mission

UHP seeks to provide our students with a rich environment in whichto pursue an enhanced undergraduate experience. To accomplish this,we offer innovative coursework, specialized advising, a vibrant intellectual community, and unique experientiallearning opportunities. These inspire and support our students asthey identify, articulate, and overcome the challenges they face aslearners and life-long members of a global community.

Vision

UHP is a student-centered place of connection for undergraduateeducation across the University; a place where our community cancome together to innovate, create, lead, and serve; a place thatchallenges high-ability students to be bold, unconventionalthinkers.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range:

$60,000 - $70,000 ; depending oneducation/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type:

Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for moreinformation regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition BenefitProgram
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counselingat no cost
• Employee TransitPass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metroarea

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important tonote that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. Thisapproach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of ourcommitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered toincoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC) is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offeringundergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude ofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence &Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-lifeflexibility.