Limited Term Assistant Professor of Spanish-Latin Americanist

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas invites applications for a Limited-Term Assistant Professor position in Spanish with a specialization in Latin American Literatures and Cultures, particularly South America and the Southern Cone, to begin September 1, 2027. The initial term will be three years, renewable for up to two additional years.

We seek a faculty member with demonstrated interest in and ability to teach across multiple areas of the Spanish curriculum. The successful candidate will be able to teach courses in the core Spanish language sequence, upper-division undergraduate courses in Latin American literatures and cultures, and graduate-level courses in contemporary sociocultural and literary topics related to Latin America. Areas of specialization may include literature and film, eco-humanities, gender studies, social justice, and human rights discourse. Competitive candidates will be able to contribute to the undergraduate Spanish major, the minors in Spanish and Spanish for Health Professions, and the department’s online graduate programs (M.A. and Graduate Certificate in Spanish), with the possibility of proposing and leading January-term study abroad courses.

The successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to our courses that serve our core education requirement through flagged elements of diversity, inclusion and social justice (DISJ) and Global Perspectives (GP), Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) and Integrations in the Humanities. The individual will also show interest in Common Good Community-Engaged courses and intermediate and upper-division Spanish courses.

We seek a faculty member who will build inclusive learning environments, support students from diverse backgrounds including heritage Spanish speakers, and maintain an active research agenda that advances the discipline. Demonstrated experience with critical and culturally responsive pedagogies, a reflective teaching practice, and a collaborative, collegial approach to academic life are important. Faculty are expected to teach a load of six courses (24 credits) per academic year and will also participate actively in departmental, college, and university service and engage with relevant professional and disciplinary organizations.

About the Department of Modern and Classical Languages

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages serves undergraduate students in courses that fulfill the core requirement in Language and Culture with courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, Classical Greek, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish; with courses for the B.A. in Classics, French, German and Spanish, and the minors in Classics, French, German, Spanish, and Spanish for Health Professions. We also offer a fully online, graduate certificate and MA in Spanish. Our faculty members provide a high degree of personal attention within a supportive and intellectually rigorous educational environment that promotes meaningful student engagement and learning. We value excellence in teaching and are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all faculty and students.

About the University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas is a dynamic, mission-driven, urban university. Located in a residential neighborhood with easy access to two downtown metropolitan centers, we are Minnesota’s largest private university with eight schools and colleges, 150+ undergraduate majors/minors, and 55 graduate programs. The College of Arts and Sciences is the foundation of the liberal arts at the University of St. Thomas. We give life to our liberal arts mission through a broad range of majors and minors and, importantly, through our core curriculum: a cohesive set of courses designed to promote critical thinking and provide a liberal arts foundation to all St. Thomas students. Our faculty are dedicated teachers and scholars who work closely with students to help them grow academically, creatively, and spiritually, ultimately preparing them for a complex world. Faculty and staff strive to create inclusive learning spaces that embrace the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and worldviews of our students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve. Learn more about life as a faculty member at St. Thomas.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

Salary and Benefits

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition remission benefits for employees, their spouses and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous employer retirement contribution upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits
• Paid parental leave benefits

The salary range for this position is $65,000-70,000.

The University of St. Thomas has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (U.S. or Foreign Equivalent) in Spanish (Hispanic Literatures and Cultures) or a related field, or alternatively, ABD candidates nearing completion of the Ph.D. will also be considered, with initial appointment at the rank of instructor.

How to Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. 

The application process consists of several required steps, completed in the order outlined below.

Step 1.

You will first be asked to create an applicant profile. As part of creating your profile, you must upload the following materials: 

• Curriculum vitae (CV) that includes a list (and contact information) of three references able to address the candidate’s suitability for the position
• Written statement discussing the candidate’s teaching philosophy inlight of department initative and commitment to undergraduate education and ability and interest in teaching at the graduate level
• Two pieces of evidence demonstrating teaching effectiveness, which may include student reports on instruction, peer evaluations, and/or other types of teaching assessment
• Written statement discussing the candidate’s research plans

Please upload only the documents specifically requested in the job posting at this stage. Do not upload any additional materials into other available fields.

Step 2.

After submitting your applicant profile, you will be directed to the job‑specific application. During this step, you will be asked to:

• A cover letter that addresses the following:
  • the candidate’s interest in the position,
  • highlights commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship relative to the position, and
  • approaches to engagement with the university’s mission and convictions

• Complete the voluntary EEO, Veteran, and Disability self‑identification forms 

Step 3.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references who can speak directly to your teaching experience and qualifications.

• References will not be contacted without your permission
• Candidates who advance to the finalist phase will be asked to have their three references submit letters of recommendation.

No other documents will be considered as part of the application.

To ensure full consideration for the position, all materials should be received by August 15, 2026; however, the position will remain open until filled. Questions about the position should be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Juli Kroll (jakroll@stthomas.edu).

Official job posting is available at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/.