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Position Title:

Adjunct Instructor - African American Studies

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Terminal (Fixed Term)

Job Profile:

Adjunct Instructor

Job Duties:

Attention:

The Race and Ethnic Studies Program in the College of Letters and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks an adjunct instructor beginning August 2026 in African American Studies (IC004).

Job Summary:

Humanities, social science, and/or interdisciplinary approaches are preferred. Housed within the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, Race and Ethnic Studies (RES) is a growing program with a 40-year history at UW-Whitewater.

The successful candidate will teach two sections of Introduction to Black Culture. In future semesters, additional courses in African American Studies may be an option. The candidate will also be expected to embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion as a member of the university community.

Teaching Responsibilities:

Teaching responsibilities include a 2/2 load and could include courses in African American Studies and other courses to support the program. Service is not required, however we encourage participation in community and professional organizations as relevant to the candidate’s expertise and interest. Instructors at UW-W may be asked to teach online and/or in a hybrid format or teach courses in the evenings.

Program Information:

The Race and Ethnic Studies Program at UW-Whitewater is one of the oldest Race and Ethnic Studies programs in the Midwest. Similarly, UW-Whitewater’s African American and Chicano Studies programs have existed since the 1970s. The RES minor has been in existence since then and it was restructured in 2016. In addition, in 2016 new minors in African American Studies, Asian/Asian American Studies, First Nations and Indigenous Studies, and Latinx/é & Latin American Studies were created. Race and Ethnic Studies (https://www.uww.edu/cls/race-and-ethnic-studies) is comprised of dedicated faculty and academic staff, with core and affiliated members from programs across the university. The program offers five minors and, with Women’s and Gender Studies, co-sponsors the Diversity Leadership Certificate.

Conditions of Appointment:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department:

Women's and Gender Studies

Compensation:

Contract salary is based on $1,666.67 per credit and is dependent on number of courses taught. This position is anticipating for $5000/course for two courses each semester.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. Benefits eligibility will be dependent on course load as well as length of appointment. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in relevant field
Substantial training within the field of African American Studies within social sciences or the humanities, and a commitment to interdisciplinary, intersectional, and decolonial approaches to knowledge production.
Teaching experience in the field

Preferred Qualifications:

ABD candidates or a Ph.D. in relevant field.
Experience teaching in an online and/or hybrid format is favored.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching and a commitment to promoting the success of undergraduate students, working with diverse populations, and participating as an active member of the university community.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

ABD candidates or a Ph.D. in relevant field. Experience teaching in an online and/or hybrid format is favored.
Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. If you need to submit more than 5 application materials total, please Zip files and title accordingly. This includes online submission of the following documents:

Curriculum Vita
Cover Letter
Evidence of teaching effectiveness such as teaching evaluations, sample syllabi, teaching philosophy and/or positionality statements
Names and contact information of three professional references

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Direct inquiries to Dr. Crista Lebens

Coordinator, Race and Ethnic Studies Program

Chair, Women’s and Gender Studies Department

To Ensure Consideration:

An initial review of candidates will take place April 30th, 2026. This position will remain open until filled. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see  Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.