Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, & Writing Program Director

Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, & Writing
Program Director

Job No: 563101

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)

• Contact information for three references
• Later in the process, candidates should be ready to provide

writing samples, and student evaluations.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, go to jobs.sonoma.edu and click on
the Staff & Faculty Career Opportunities link. Find and select
the faculty position you are applying for to view the description
and select Apply Now. If you have not previously applied, you will
be prompted to create an account. You can use this account to apply
to multiple positions. Once you have submitted the application, a
confirmation email will be automatically sent to you. If you
encounter difficulties during the application process, please email
facultysearch@sonoma.edu.
However, please do not send application materials unless directed
to do so.

Application Deadline

First consideration will be given to applications received by
December 07, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.
Early response is encouraged.

Contact Information

Questions concerning the application process may be
directed to: facultysearch@sonoma.edu

Questions concerning this position may be directed
to:

Dr. jen johnson johnsonje@sonoma.edu
707-664-3265

Please refer to the requisition job number on all correspondence
and inquiries regarding this position.

The ADA Coordinator is also available accomodations@sonoma.edu to
assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation
during the hiring process.

Our Commitment

Sonoma State University is a federally-designated Hispanic Serving
Institution, as such we are committed to achieving the goals of
equal opportunity and we endeavor to employ faculty and staff
reflecting the linguistic, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the
region and state.

Guided by our core values as a university: diversity,
sustainability, community engagement, and adaptability, Sonoma
State University (SSU) offers an education that fosters
intellectual, social, and personal growth. SSU is a public liberal
arts and sciences university. As the only member of the Council of
Public Liberal Arts Colleges in the state of California, we are
committed to preparing students for a life of active citizenship
and public service. We have a vibrant campus life characterized by
a lively co-curriculum that fosters broad-based intellectual and
artistic opportunities in which the campus as a whole is actively
engaged.

Sonoma State University is committed to creating a community in
which bias and intolerance have no place. It is our expectation
that all students, faculty, and staff work together to honor this
commitment and hold each other accountable to create an open and
inclusive environment.

We are committed to facilitating spaces in which all can grow by
building on our students' assets as they explore new knowledge.
These efforts include fostering creativity, critical thinking,
collaboration, experimentation, empathy, and communication. The
successful candidate will be one who can collaborate with faculty,
staff, administration, and students to achieve these goals. We are
especially interested in candidates committed to diversity, equity,
and inclusion.

Equal Opportunity & Mandated Reporting

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to
race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender,
gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic
information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or
protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be
considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse
and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the
requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition
of employment.

Employment Eligibility & Conditions

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the
CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the
University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in
the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU
Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of
employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of
California. A background check (including a criminal records check)
must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be
offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the
background check may affect the application status of applicants or
continued employment of current employees who apply for this
position.

Sonoma State University hires only individuals lawfully authorized
to work in the United States. Due to a recent change in policy, SSU
is unable to sponsor new H-1B employment visas at this time. All
offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of
documents demonstrating the appointee's identity and eligibility to
work, in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Reform
and Control Act.

Education Code 89521

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received
a final administrative decision or final judicial decision
determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the
last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the
minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of
employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of
the application process must also sign a release form that
authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current
and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated
allegations of misconduct.

Annual Reports & Safety
Information

Sonoma State University's Annual
Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy
relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault,
and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the
Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that
occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report
may be requested in person by emailing the Clery Compliance and
Safety Office at clery@sonoma.edu.

View
Benefits Summary

Application Close: Open Until Filled

To apply, visit https://employment.sonoma.edu/en-us/job/563101/assistant-professor-of-rhetoric-and-composition-writing-program-director

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