AssistantAssociate Professor of Ethnic Studies (Native & Indigenous Studies)

Western Washington University with over 15000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school is nationally recognized for its educational programs students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham Washington a coastal community of 90000 overlooking Bellingham Bay the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes Bremerton Everett Port Angeles and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes such as being named one of the top public masters-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success increasing our Washington impact and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship research and creative activity. Westerns greatest strength is the outstanding students faculty staff and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can pursuit of this excellence individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff faculty administration student and external constituents. Further individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic societal environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

The Ethnic Studies Department at Western Washington University centers the histories epistemologies and lived experiences of minoritized peoples and Indigenous Nations. Our approach is intersectional and transnational while highlighting the unique perspectives contributions and knowledges of Black Indigenous People of Color and other minoritized communities. Our courses challenge systems of power and oppression and advance liberation emancipation and self-determining future.

For more information about the department see the website at the Position

The Department of Ethnic Studies at Western Washington University is inviting applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in Native and Indigenous Studies beginning Fall 2027.

• PhD at time of application in American Indian Native American Indigenous Studies Ethnic Studies or other relevant field in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences.
• A demonstrated ability to teach introductory and advanced theory and methods courses (undergraduate).
• A demonstrated research record that leads to publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or other forms of scholarly dissemination.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse students and cultivate learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues including a demonstrated ability and commitment to healthy communication and collaborative work practices that are culturally-responsive and appropriate.
• For appointment at the Associate Professor level (tenure track) demonstrated significant research and evidence of successful teaching commensurate with standards for promotion to Associate Professor in the Department College and University.

• A commitment to building a strong Ethnic Studies Department through curriculum development as well as demonstrated leadership.
• Additional expertise in the Pacific Northwest.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative and community-engaged research.

Salary

The anticipated starting salary range for assistant professor appointment tenure-track is generally between $71500 $74500 with placement within the positions salary range being based on qualifications and professional experience. The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $71500 - $86366 with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments.

The starting salary range for associate professor appointment tenure-track is generally between $80000-$85000. The entire salary range for the associate professor position is $80000-$98538.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 the entire salary ranges provided above reflect the anticipated full salary range in the position at the given rank with progression in ranks occurring as outlined in the Universitys tenure and promotion process per the collective bargaining agreement.

Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines and dependent on available budget. Salary and Start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

Bargaining Unit

United Faculty of Western Washington

Application Instructions

To be considered for the position application materials must be submitted via WWUs PageUp Westerns online employment management system. Candidates should upload the following as part of a complete application: 1) a letter of application specifically addressing the qualifications; 2) a CV; 3) a separate statement addressing demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning and working environments that are equitable and inclusive of students faculty and staff with diverse social identities and backgrounds; and evidencing commitment to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students; 4) evidence of successful teaching (e.g. philosophy on teaching student evaluations course materials etc.); 5) sample publications (no more than two) 6) graduate transcripts; and 7) the names and contact information of three professional references. Do not send letters of recommendation; three letters of recommendation will be required at the semi-finalist stage and these will be requested of candidates referees via the PageUp system. Finalists may be asked for student course evaluations if they were not provided with the application. For questions regarding the position application process or department contact the Department Manager at

Application review begins October 26 2026; position is open until filled.

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation please contactHuman Resources Disability Services360.650.3751or 711 (Washington Relay).

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