Posted: Mar 31, 2025

Affiliate Faculty of Political Science

Grand Valley State University - Allendale, MI

Application Deadline: Mar 31, 2026

Allendale, MI

Full Time

R102588

Summary: The Department of Political Science at Grand Valley State University invites applications for Affiliate Professor of Political Science to begin Fall 2025. Applicants are expected to have an M.A. or M.S. in Political Science or a closely related field, with a specialization in human rights.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• M.A. or M.S. in Political Science or closely related field.
• Demonstrated potential for successful college-level teaching.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.
• International practitioner in the field of human rights.
• Evidence of one's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This could be demonstrated by an applicant using inclusive teaching practices; conducting research relating to minoritized populations or social inequality; engaging in community-based outreach to minoritized and underserved communities; or engaging in https://www.gvsu.edu/clas/deiab-commitment-examples-1267.htm#_edn1.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• College-level teaching experience.
• Experience teaching political science and human rights.
• Ability to work productively with colleagues with flexibility and creativity.

Responsibilities:

Affiliate faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are hired on nine-month contracts, with a 12-credit hour teaching load per semester. They are also expected to engage in service. Department faculty are expected to participate actively in the life of the Political Science department and major.

Minimum Starting Salary: $52,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits: The university offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, sick leave/disability, tuition waiver, flexible spending accounts, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities effective on date of hire. Family and childcare options on and off-campus are also available. For a more detailed description of benefits, please visit https://www.gvsu.edu/hro/benefits/affiliate-faculty-benefits-468.htm.

Department: The Political Science Department at Grand Valley State University is the home to a major (BA/BS) in political science, a major (BA) in international relations, and minors in both political science and IR. The department has 16 full-time faculty members, 142 political science majors and 65 international relations majors. The department is also a significant contributor to an interdisciplinary minor in human rights. Department offices are located on the Allendale campus, where nearly all of the department's courses are taught.

The department values:

• Excellence in faculty scholarship.
• Service to the discipline, unit, college, university and community.
• Student development as well-informed, global citizens in a democratic society.

Excellence in education facilitated through:

• Active student-teacher engagement and academic achievement in a rigorous and challenging course of study that emphasizes the development of critical and analytical thinking and writing.
• Student exposure to a variety of theoretical and political perspectives for the purpose of enhancing critical and analytical thinking and writing skills.
• A comprehensive coverage of the discipline and access to a wide variety of upper-level courses.
• Emphasis on internships, co-curricular and civic education opportunities in our local, state, national and global communities.

College: https://www.gvsu.edu/clas/clas-voyage-1184.htm is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor's degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students' social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at https://www.gvsu.edu/hro/community-resources-1056.htm. Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service.

How To Apply: Apply online at https://gvsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following to the online application:

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts issued to students are acceptable)
• A list of three references with names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Mark Richards mailto:([email protected]).

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin May 25, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.

For more information about Grand Valley, see our website at http://www.gvsu.edu

Grand Valley State University is an EOE which includes protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. See http://www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6103684

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