Position Rank and Title: Assistant Professor

School/Department Name: Chicana and Chicano Studies

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. See Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent employment benefits. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $86,000 - $90,000.

Target Start Date: August 2025

Application Deadline: December 10, 2024 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

Position description

The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies (CCS) at San José State University (SJSU) seeks qualified applicants for an Assistant Professor with training in Chicana/o Studies or a related discipline in the Humanities or Social Sciences. We especially welcome scholars who specialize in Critical Latinx Indigeneities, Central American Studies, or AfroLatinx Studies.

Since 1968, CCS at SJSU has served students through interdisciplinary education based on principles of social justice. CCS curriculum prepares students to critically examine and address intellectual traditions and contemporary issues resulting from political, historical, economic, and cultural constructs of race, class, and gender, as they manifest in Chicanx and US Latinx communities. CCS at SJSU has the oldest Graduate Program in Chicana/o Studies in the United States, one of five Graduate Programs in Chicana/o Studies in California, and the only one north of Santa Barbara, California.

CCS offers three degree programs: A master’s degree with areas of specialization in Policy, Education, and Comparative Ethnic Studies; an undergraduate major with areas of specialization in Cultural and Creative Expression, Institutions and Community Engagement, and Transnationalism and Global Relations; and a popular undergraduate minor that draws students from across the university. Alumni have careers in teaching, social services, public policy, health care, government, and nongovernment organizations in community service. Additionally, many alumni pursue advanced degrees in Education, History, Social Work, and Humanities fields.

SJSU is committed to growing Ethnic Studies across the university. In 2018, the Ethnic Studies Collaborative (ESC) launched, bringing together faculty, staff, and students to promote research and leadership contributions of SJSU's Ethnic Studies programs and departments. The ESC includes the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, Department of African American Studies, and the Programs of Asian American Studies and Native American and Indigenous Studies. The ESC serves as a nexus for Ethnic Studies faculty, student, and community collaboration at SJSU. The ESC supports Ethnic Studies curriculum and co-curricular projects that address issues of settler colonialism, racial capitalism, immigration, and structural racism that impact the lived experiences of several populations in the United States and Americas, more broadly. With a focus on the comparative histories and experiential knowledge of marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the United States, the ESC plays a key role in the implementation of AB 1460, the CSU graduation requirement in Ethnic Studies.

The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies is part of the College of Social Sciences, which is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching and learning. The College sees faculty and student success as inextricably linked, and strives to provide culturally-sustaining, and academically-affirming approaches to supporting and engaging students and faculty. CoSS provides opportunities for faculty development around asset-based, holistic student success, and support scholarship of engagement that addresses issues that affect our campus and community. In all endeavors, CoSS strives to build leadership capacity and foster a culture of support and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.

The Chicana and Chicano Studies Department and San José State University value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and staff who share our commitment to these values. SJSU enrolls more than 36,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved. Around 45% of the student population is first generation and 38% are Pell-recipients. SJSU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU’s commitment to equity and diversity extends from its vibrant, inclusive campus to an international network of over 275,000 alumni. As such, SJSU is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty so its academic disciplines, students, and surrounding community benefits from multiple ethnic and gender perspectives.

Successful candidates will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to equity and inclusion through their research, teaching, and/or service. We ask that all applicants include a Diversity Statement with their application package. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Diversity Statement Guidelines, along with information about how these statements will be evaluated.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chicana/o Studies or a related discipline in the Humanities or Social Sciences, (e.g., Political Science, Government, or Policy.)
• A record of publications or strong potential for publications, and teaching experience appropriate to the candidate’s academic rank and academic specialty.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

 
Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• All Specializations in Chicana/o Studies are welcome, especially Critical Latinx Indigeneities, Central American Studies, or Afro-Latinx Studies.
• Knowledge of curriculum development and research trends or trajectories in Chicana/o Studies.
• Evidence of both undergraduate and graduate teaching, advising, and program development.
• Experience or strong potential for securing extramural funding or working on funded projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in curriculum development and assessment of CCS major courses and courses that satisfy General Education courses, especially AREA F, the Ethnic Studies requirement for graduation. 
• Participate in department efforts to recruit, support, and retain students in the department.
• Maintain an active research agenda in CCS and areas of expertise, related to intellectual and community-engagement parameters of the Department and rank level at time of appointment.
• Advise and mentor graduate students through the MA program in CCS.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). 
• Support the Ethnic Studies Collaborative through the faculty advisory group, programs, and teaching.
• Participate in shared governance, such as department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Demonstrate awareness and experience understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies and advising.
   

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution. 

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• letter of interest [2 pages]
• curriculum vitae
• diversity statement [1 page]
• statement of teaching interests/philosophy [1 page]
• research plans [1 page]
• three reference letters [Please let recommenders know letters should be no more than 2 pages and are requested after applicants move onto candidacy]

Inquiries may be directed to the CCS Department Chair: Dr. Ella Maria Diaz, ella.diaz@sjsu.edu

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.