Job Description

The College Writing Program at Occidental College invites applications for a part-time Visiting Assistant Professor of Journalism with appointment to begin August 16, 2026. The Visiting Assistant Professor will teach at least one course in the Fall semester – CWP 285: Principles of Journalism and/or CWP 287: Rhetorical Fault Lines: Journalism, Persuasion, Propaganda – with the possibility of one course in the Spring semester (to be determined in agreement with the Department Chair.

Occidental College is a top-ranked liberal arts college with a mission to provide a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality – one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world. Our journalism courses are housed in the College Writing Program and contribute to a vibrant Interdisciplinary Writing (IW) minor that allows students to engage in writing practices across genres, divisions, and disciplines. These courses also attract students who have an interest in a professional journalism career, and students who work at Occidental's award winning college newspaper. Strong applicants for this position will have demonstrated experience in journalism and experience teaching undergraduate courses in journalism.

“Visiting Professor” is a faculty category bargained between the College and the non-tenure track faculty union. Visiting faculty are hired to replace permanent faculty who are on leave and to meet other short-term curricular needs. Visiting faculty may engage in scholarly activities, but scholarship is not a responsibility of the position.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA in Journalism or a relevant field (Applicants must hold the degree by the position start date.)
• At least 5 years experience as a working journalist.
• Ability to teach CWP 285 ( course description linked here) and/or CWP 287 ( course description linked here) with the possibility to design a third course in collaboration with the Chair & Deans Office.
• Ability to engage in high-impact pedagogical practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in teaching and/or mentorship.
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students and/or colleagues from minoritized and marginalized communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the College

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s degree accompanied by commensurate academic and/or professional experience in journalism.
• Experience teaching at the college level and a record of pedagogical success.
• Experience and record of success teaching at a liberal arts college.

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, your application materials must be received by midnight Eastern time (9:00 pm Pacific time) on June 15, 2026. Review of applications is on-going and will continue until the position is filled.

A complete application includes all of the following:

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position, as well as the education, experience, and/or skills you possess that are relevant to the required and preferred qualifications listed above. In your cover letter, please also explain how your teaching and service align with the mission of Occidental College (3 pages max).
• Curriculum Vitae.
• A description of one course you are prepared to teach with a one-paragraph description. You might include the main learning objectives, the topics covered, the units into which the course will be divided, student assignments, and any other distinguishing features of the course.
• A teaching statement/philosophy that discusses your primary pedagogical goals and practices you employ to meet these goals, as well as your record of/commitment to creating and advancing equitable learning opportunities and inclusive pedagogies for a diverse student body (2 pages max).

Applicants who advance to the finalist phase of the search will be invited for an interview to be held via Zoom.

If you have any questions about the position, the application materials, or the application instructions, please contact the CWP Chair, La Mont Terry, at lterry@oxy.edu or call 323-259-2617. If you have questions about Interfolio or the application process, please contact the Academic Support Administrator, Beatrice Gonzales, at facultysearch@oxy.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Please see Occidental’s Notice of Non-Discrimination

Occidental is strongly committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals whose life experiences and perspectives are underrepresented in the field are particularly encouraged to apply.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. A conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

As a condition of hire for a staff position and for appointment to a faculty position, Occidental College requires that all candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment complete an application form (if they have not already done so) and consent to a background check. Satisfactory completion of a background check, along with pre-employment verifications and references are required as a condition of employment, but only as permitted by federal, state, and local law.

All offers of employment for United States based positions are contingent upon each applicant providing original documents which certify his or her legal right to work in the United States and the timely completion of an employment eligibility verification form I-9.

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact Human Resources ( hr@oxy.edu).