Whittier College seeks applications from exemplary graduate students in African American or American History to be the Graduate Fellow of the Our Story Project: The Black Oral History of Whittier College. In 2021, Whittier College embarked upon a h istory project to unearth the untold stories of Black alumni and Black culture at the college. The focus of this project is to share the authentic and diverse experiences of Black students during their time at Whittier College. In their own words, the video interviews profile alumni from as early as 1956. These oral histories reveal the institution’s history and relationship with the Black community. Accompanying this work is archival investigations of Black culture at Whittier College and in the Whittier community.
The Graduate Fellow will supervise the work of a team of undergraduate research interns (2-3 students) and oversee the daily operations of the Our Story Project in terms of oral and archival historical research. This work includes: timely completion of oral history training, onboarding, and supervision of new interns, overseeing the coordination of interviews, presenting findings, and liaising with campus offices involved in the Our Story Project. The Fellow reports directly to the Dean, DEI.
The Graduate Fellow will receive a salary based on a part-time load of eight units per semester ($12,400 per semester: fall & spring) for a total of $24,800 for the academic year. The position does not include benefits. The oral history project is sponsored by Academic Affairs and directed by the office of the Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Kay Sanders.
Whittier College is a nationally recognized, selective, independent liberal arts college with a diverse student body of approximately 1,200 undergraduates. The College is distinguished by its small size and innovative interdisciplinary programs. The campus is located on a 95-acre hillside campus 18 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. We have a long history of commitment to equity, reflecting our Quaker origins, and our student body mirrors the diversity of the region, making the college one of the most diverse liberal arts institutions in the country.
Required qualifications include: enrollment in an accredited Ph.D. program in history (or related field); a specialization in African American/American history; advanced knowledge of historical research methods (archival and oral history data collection) and exemplary completion of a graduate-level historical research methods course. Field experience in oral history research methods and teaching experience is preferred.
To apply, submit a cover letter detailing any methodological and teaching experience you have and your approach toward engaging undergraduate students in high impact practices; a curriculum vita, and your graduate transcripts.
Whittier College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, class, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, or sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal Law.
Whittier College shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.
