Job Description

The Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Chapman University invites applications for a Writing Center Director and Associate or Full Professor of English, beginning 1 August 2027.

Chapman University is a nationally-ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, three territories, and 87 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, including Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, offer 65 bachelors, 53 master, and six doctoral programs, along with nearly 60 minors and 17 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by the more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners.

The mission of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is to foster rigorous inquiry among our students through a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts that is scholarly, creative, interdisciplinary, and experiential. Wilkinson College plays an important and unique role in the educational journey of every Chapman student and aims to ensure that graduates are prepared to assume their responsibility as global citizens, acting knowledgeably and providing compassionate leadership in our community and world. More information about Wilkinson College is available at http://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson.

The Department of English offers undergraduate majors that integrate journalism, creative writing, cultural studies, literature, and rhetoric, and MA and MFA degree programs at the graduate level. Tenured faculty members are expected to maintain an active research and publication agenda, and are evaluated on their scholarship, teaching, administration, and service. More information about the Department of English is available at https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/english/.

We seek a visionary Writing Center Director to lead and foster a Writing Center of distinction that recognizes the critical cognitive importance of writing in the education of our students.

The successful candidate will hold a tenured faculty appointment in the Department of English and receive a separate administrative appointment as the Writing Center Director. We are especially interested in candidates who have scholarly expertise in writing center studies and candidates committed to the importance of literacy and writing in the age of AI.

Chapman's Writing Center currently serves undergraduate and graduate students through in-person walk-in appointments, a course consultancy program, synchronous Zoom appointments, asynchronous document review, specialized graduate services for longer-term projects, and in-class workshops.

Faculty Responsibilities:

• Regularly teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate’s areas of expertise
• Maintain a rigorous research and publication program
• Advise and mentor students
• Actively participate in departmental, college, and university service
• Create an inclusive and welcoming learning environment

Writing Center Director Responsibilities:

• Lead and expand the Writing Center’s reach at Chapman University
• Develop a strategic plan focused on writing and learning in the age of AI
• Oversee Writing Center staff and budget

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• At least two years’ experience as director of a writing center or equivalent
• Earned PhD from an accredited institution in English, Rhetoric and Composition, or related field
• A record of distinguished scholarship, teaching, service, and/or administration commensurate with a tenured appointment at the rank of associate or full professor

Preferred Qualifications:

• Publications in the field of writing center scholarship

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates are invited to electronically submit

1. Letter of application
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Names and contact information of three referees

Shortlisted candidate will be asked to submit the following additional materials: three confidential letters of recommendation, writing sample, statement of candidate’s vision for the writing center at Chapman University (750 words maximum), student evaluations of teaching.

Direct inquiries to the Search Committee Chair, Professor Ian Barnard (barnard@chapman.edu) and use “Writing Center Director” as the email subject line.

Application review will begin 30 October 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The salary range for this position is $110k - $160k. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. This position is contingent on final budget approval. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.