LecturerAssistant Professor NTT of Food Studies

Position Summary:

Adams State University seeks a dynamic educator to grow our BA in Food Studies program. The Food Studies program is an interdisciplinary degree that explores the importance and impact of food on all aspects of human existence. This degree combines academic exploration with applied and experiential learning to develop graduates who understand world and local food systems and the complexity of the food industry. Adams State seeks an individual who is passionate about promoting health and wellness through food production and consumption innovative approaches to agriculture and the food industry and collaboration with community organizations.

The Food Studies program was developed in collaboration with multiple academic programs and community organizations to meet local and regional needs. Alamosa and the San Luis Valley have a long history of agriculture production and a vibrant local foods industry. Opportunities to learn and understand food systems from farm to table abound. This is a tremendous opportunity for the right person to use their vision to build a highly innovative program that connects students to the community and careers.

Teaching load is 12 credits per semester teaching three courses plus one course release to coordinate the program. Teaching load will be 6 credits teaching/semester in the first year as an additional course release will be granted each semester in year one to undertake curricular revisions such as the development of stacked credentials and additional experiential learning options. A newly renovated commercial kitchen and classroom with 20 food prep stations provides a place for students to engage in experiential learning opportunities on campus. Internships and coursework promote experiential learning in the community. The coordinator role includes outreach and engagement with local and regional high schools collaboration with local foods organizations and oversight of the Food Studies kitchen and classroom. The Food Studies program is housed within the School of Health Sciences.

Mission of the Department

The Food Studies program provides an interdisciplinary education that examines the cultural historical economic and environmental dimensions of food systems while equipping students with practical skills in sustainable food production food preparation policy and entrepreneurship. Through experiential learning internships and community partnerships graduates are prepared for diverse careers that support healthy sustainable and equitable food systems.

We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they dont match 100% of the job qualifications. Dont let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• MA or PhD in a relevant discipline.

• Ability to establish and articulate a vision for the Food Studies program

• A strong focus on teaching

• Ability to teach the following FOOD classes: Perspectives on Food US Food Systems Community Food Systems Food Lab I & II Food Studies Internship I & II Food Studies Capstone.

• Ability to evaluate and develop curriculum as needed

• Ability to maintain commercial kitchen Food Studies classroom and related equipment

• Ability to collaborate and foster relationships with prospective students local food related organizations and community partners

• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching and student-centered learning

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Demonstrates knowledge of sensitivity to and ability to work effectively with the educational needs of individuals and groups with a diverse range of identities cultures backgrounds and abilities

• Evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the racial socioeconomic academic and cultural diversity of Adams State Universitys student population including students with different abilities (e.g. physical and or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded inclusive practices within the classroom

• Demonstrated commitment to honesty efficacy and collaboration.

• Demonstrates knowledge of sensitivity to and ability to work effectively with the educational needs of individuals and groups with a diverse range of identities cultures backgrounds and abilities

Coordinator

• Oversee curriculum planning and program management by updating courses emphases and requirements for majors and minors.

• Conduct research and develop proposals for new emphases certificates and elective courses to expand program offerings and meet emerging student and workforce needs.

• Coordinate advising for students of diverse backgrounds.

• Lead recruitment and outreach efforts for prospective and current students through campus events classroom presentations and partnerships with high school counselors coaches and community stakeholders.

• Build and sustain partnerships with community organizations to provide experiential learning opportunities such as internships field trips and guest lectures.

• Collaborate with the San Luis Valley Local Food Coalition and other local partners to strengthen community-engaged learning and student professional development.

Faculty

• Teach multiple undergraduate courses each semester tailoring instruction to diverse student levels and learning needs.

• Build and sustain partnerships with community organizations to provide experiential learning opportunities such as internships field trips and guest lectures.

• Coordinate advising for students of diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability or experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations and first-generation college students.

• Ability or experience in the recruitment and/or retention of underrepresented students including students of color.

• Commitment to professional development scholarship and service to the university and community.

• Demonstrated self-awareness of ones own cultural beliefs perspectives and privileges as a part of ones orientation towards teaching.

• Demonstrated decision-making that is informed by research data and theory and that leverages students unique cultures experiences and background as strengths.

• Demonstrated background in one or more of these areas: Nutrition Food Science Agriculture Culinary Arts Family and Consumer Science

• Experience collaborating with community organizations.

• Experience using a variety of delivery methods for teaching.

• Bilingual (Spanish/English)

• ServSafe certified

• Personal and or professional cooking experience and/or instruction

• Gardening/farming experience

• Van certified

• Grant writing/management experience

• Ability or experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations and first-generation college students.

• Ability or experience in the recruitment and/or retention of underrepresented students including students of color.

• Commitment to professional development scholarship and service to the university and community.

• Demonstrated self-awareness of ones own cultural beliefs perspectives and privileges as a part of ones orientation towards teaching.

• Demonstrated decision-making that is informed by research data and theory and that leverages students unique cultures experiences and background as strengths.

Salary and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45502-$64163 commensurate with experience and addition to salary Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical dental vision disability insurance flexible spending accounts life insurance and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit Opportunities for supplemental contracts may be available.

How to Apply:

All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State Universitys Workday application portal.

No other format of application material will be accepted.

Required Documents Cover letter curriculum vitae teaching statement informed response graduate transcripts and three references.

Completed applications should include the following:

• A detailed cover letter of application addressing teaching interest/experience as well as how professional interests and goals align with Adams vision and values.

  • We encourage applicants to discuss their commitment to scholarly and/or creative excellence.

  • Additionally we seek to learn how scholarly excellence is interwoven with their approach to service teaching mentoring and affirming diverse perspectives.

• Curriculum vitae

• Teaching Statement: (include sample course syllabi) in addition to describing your approach to teaching in general please address the following questions:

  • What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized in (enter discipline)

  • What role should faculty play in student success

• Informed Response regarding Adam States Commitment to People Place and Perspective.

  • People: An understanding of and commitment to the people who study work lead and help or have helped shape our university.

  • Place: An understanding of our universitys geographical and historical context within the San Luis Valley region and commitment to the unique opportunities and responsibilities that come with being part of this place.

  • Perspective: An understanding of the intersecting perspectives that define our universitys resilience grit strength and innovation from being a low-income first-generation and Hispanic-serving rural anchor university and commitment to intentionally supporting individuals who possess these characteristics.

  • Please address the following:

    • Your understanding of Adams States history the people who occupy it and the place in which it is located and how you will contribute to our unique university environment.

    • Articulate how your understanding of our location in the San Luis Valley with its unique challenges and its realities such as scarce resources rurality the land and geography and current and historical occupants will be manifested in your approach to teaching research and service.

    • Share your understanding of the unique characteristics that make up our university such as First-Generation Low-Income Hispanic Serving and being a rural anchor university and how those perspectives influence your role as a faculty member. Please give specific examples from your experiences in the classroom or in your teaching and mentoring experience(s) or other relevant experiences from your life that inform your perspective(s).

• References: name job title and contact information (email phone).

For full consideration applications should be received by 5/30/2026. Review of applications will begin immediately after this date.

The position will remain open until filled. Applications received after the priority deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

Contact: Kim Chacon Director of School of Health Sciences

Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives experiences skills and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning leadership and service.

We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study work and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women BIPOC LGBTQ individuals veterans and people with disabilities.

We value qualified candidates with varied language skills who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income first-generation and Hispanic-serving rural anchor university. Therefore we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching service and scholarship.

The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams States purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students faculty staff and visitors and to protecting its funds property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective continuing and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASUs Office of Equal Opportunity Director Ana Guevara and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct ASUs sexual misconduct policies contact information for the Adams State Universitys Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX as well as a detailed procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at These procedures also describe the Universitys response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race color sex disability and as covered by law veteran addition University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion national origin ancestry age sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression marital status and parental status.