Salem University is seeking qualified adjunct faculty to teach undergraduate English courses.

The Adjunct Faculty – English position is responsible for providing effective, student-centered instruction that supports student learning, engagement, academic progress, written communication skills, and achievement of established course learning outcomes.

Current teaching needs include blended courses with required on-campus class meetings at Salem University's campus in Salem, West Virginia, during weekday daytime hours. Candidates must be available to provide in-person instruction during scheduled daytime class periods. Opportunities to teach in additional instructional formats may become available based on university needs.

Adjunct teaching assignments are made on an as-needed, course-by-course basis and are not guaranteed from term to term.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties listed below are representative of the responsibilities of this position. Additional duties may be assigned to support institutional priorities.

Instruction & Student Learning

• Provide effective instruction for assigned undergraduate English courses in accordance with approved course curriculum, learning outcomes, instructional materials, and University expectations.
• Teach assigned courses in the designated instructional format, including required on-campus class meetings.
• Demonstrate current and relevant subject-matter expertise in English, composition, literature, rhetoric, and/or other areas appropriate to assigned courses.
• Facilitate student development of written communication, critical thinking, reading comprehension, research, analysis, and other skills associated with assigned coursework.
• Help students make meaningful connections between English coursework, their academic programs, career preparation, and real-world communication.
• Utilize appropriate instructional strategies and technologies to promote student engagement and learning.
• Maintain an instructional environment that supports academic rigor, accessibility, and student success.

Student Engagement & Support

• Actively engage students through frequent and meaningful interaction.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for student learning and provide appropriate academic encouragement and support.
• Respond to student questions and communications within established University expectations.
• Identify students experiencing academic difficulty and provide appropriate instructional support or referrals to available University resources.
• Encourage student participation, persistence, accountability, and course completion.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and interactions with students.

Assessment, Grading & Feedback

• Evaluate student learning using approved assignments, assessments, rubrics, and other established measures.
• Provide timely, thorough, constructive, and actionable feedback on student writing and other academic work.
• Utilize established rubrics and grading criteria consistently.
• Recognize student progress and accomplishments while clearly identifying areas requiring improvement.
• Maintain accurate and timely grades within the University's Learning Management System.
• Monitor student participation and academic progress throughout the course.
• Evaluate student achievement of established course learning outcomes.
• Submit grades and required academic documentation within established deadlines.
• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting student assessment and grading decisions.

Course & Learning Management System Responsibilities

• Maintain assigned courses within the University's Learning Management System in accordance with established University standards.
• Utilize required instructional technologies and digital resources to support student learning.
• Ensure course announcements, instructional materials, assignments, assessments, grades, and other required information remain current and accessible.
• Follow established course structure, approved curriculum, and instructional expectations.
• Promptly communicate course, content, or technology concerns through appropriate University channels.

Academic Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Work collaboratively with Salem University to support continuous improvement of courses and academic programs.
• Provide feedback regarding course content, instructional materials, course design, student participation, learning outcomes, and identified opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in assessment activities related to assigned courses as required.
• Support implementation of approved courses or curriculum improvements.
• Maintain current knowledge within the English discipline and relevant instructional practices.

Faculty & University Responsibilities

• Participate in required program, departmental, faculty, or University meetings and training as assigned.
• Complete required faculty onboarding and professional-development activities.
• Follow expectations established in the Salem University Faculty Handbook and applicable academic policies and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate academic and student records.
• Protect confidential student information and comply with FERPA requirements.
• Maintain professional and timely communication with students, faculty, academic leadership, and University personnel.
• Adhere to University expectations regarding academic integrity, professional conduct, accessibility, and instructional quality.
• Perform other faculty responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in English or a master's degree in another discipline with a minimum of 18 graduate semester credit hours in English, including qualifying coursework in areas such as literature, composition, rhetoric, or linguistics.
• Graduate coursework used to establish English teaching qualifications must be appropriately aligned with the discipline. Communication, speech, and journalism coursework do not satisfy the English graduate-credit requirement.
• Previous experience teaching English or related coursework at the college or university level.
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise appropriate to the assigned English course(s).
• Demonstrated ability to use a Learning Management System and instructional technology to support teaching and student learning.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to student learning and academic success.
• Ability to teach assigned on-campus class meetings in Salem, West Virginia, during weekday daytime hours.
• Ability to successfully complete required Salem University adjunct faculty onboarding and training prior to teaching.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree specifically in English, Composition and Rhetoric, Literature, or another qualifying English discipline.
• Experience teaching first-year composition, academic writing, literature, or other undergraduate English courses.
• Experience teaching in blended, hybrid, accelerated, and/or online instructional formats.
• Experience teaching accelerated courses.
• Experience working with students with varying levels of college-level reading and writing preparation.
• Experience utilizing an LMS to manage course content, assignments, assessments, communication, and grading.
• Experience using educational technology to enhance student engagement and learning.
• Experience teaching within a four-week or similarly accelerated academic model.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Ability to provide classroom instruction for scheduled periods.
• Ability to stand, sit, and move within a classroom environment for extended periods.
• Frequent use of computers, classroom technology, Learning Management Systems, and instructional equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students in classroom, written, and electronic formats.
• Ability to review and evaluate student writing and other academic work for extended periods.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

This position provides instruction through a blended instructional format with required on-campus class meetings at Salem University's campus in Salem, West Virginia.

Current teaching assignments require weekday daytime availability for scheduled on-campus instruction. Additional teaching opportunities in online, blended, or other instructional formats may become available based on university needs.

Teaching assignments are based on course scheduling, enrollment, academic need, faculty qualifications, and availability. Appointment as an adjunct faculty member does not guarantee a specific number of courses or continued teaching assignments from term to term.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Salem University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Job Description Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Salem University reserves the right to modify responsibilities as institutional needs evolve.