Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

Description

The Humanities and Teacher Education Division of the Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Pepperdine University invites applications for a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing to begin August 2025. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate level courses with primary responsibilities in the Creative Writing program and secondary responsibilities in the English program. This is a multi-genre position — a background in fiction writing is required; additional background in poetry writing is preferred. 

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated passion for teaching and inspiring students and hold an MFA or PhD with an emphasis in creative writing and expertise in fiction writing, experience teaching undergraduate creative writing courses, and an active publishing agenda. A secondary interest in poetry writing is preferred. Publishing experience in the field is required. The undergraduate courses in the Creative Writing program that the successful candidate will teach will likely include multi-genre intro courses and intermediate or advanced fiction writing courses (including novel writing) - and English composition. Other course opportunities might arise as needed. 

Successful applicants must have an active commitment to the Christian mission of the University and reflect on their willingness to support the mission of Seaver College .  We encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and cultural experiences. 

The salary for this appointment will range from $69,000 to $72,000 and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits .

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2024 and will remain open until filled. Please submit all application materials by clicking [Apply Now]. A background check will be required as a condition of employment. 

For inquiries about the position, please contact:

Dr. John Struloeff (john.struloeff@pepperdine.edu)
Search Committee Chair
Humanities and Teacher Education Division
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
Malibu, CA  90263

Application Instructions

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• A letter of application
• A curriculum vitae 
• Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
• Writing sample (20-30 pages of fiction, plus 5-7 poems if applicable)
• Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
• Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
• Scholarly/Creative agenda. The statement should outline applicants’ short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or creative activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested. 
• Response to Mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the churches of Christ, it is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.

At Seaver College, the undergraduate college of lette