Political Science-Assistant Professor

Position description

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure track faculty position in the Department of Political Science. Cal Poly Pomona is one of three polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona students participate in an integrative experiential learning education that is inclusive, relevant, and values diverse perspectives and experiences. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the university is well known for its learn- by-doing approach and Teacher Scholar Model.

The university is noted for its scenic and historic 1,400-acre campus, which was once the winter ranch of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the territorial and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. The university’s nearly 30,000 students are taught and mentored by the campus’s more than 1,400 faculty as part of 54 baccalaureate and 29 master’s degree programs, 11 credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Highly regarded among its peer institutions, Cal Poly Pomona is No. 2 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of top public regional universities in the west and was named the No. 28 best value college in the nation by Money Magazine. Cal Poly Pomona, a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, stands as a national leader in promoting social mobility, and was placed among the 25 top institutions in the country in awarding bachelor’s degrees to minoritized students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. In 2022, the campus launched the Black Thriving Initiative recognizing that Cal Poly Pomona’s future as a university is linked to the success of its Black community. More information about our campus initiatives and our Principles of Community can be found on the Office of Inclusive Excellence’s website. 

The Cal Poly Pomona campus is located less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It is within an hour’s drive of beaches, mountains and deserts. For additional information about the university, please visit www.cpp.edu, and for more about faculty life, please see YourLife@CPP.

Student Population. Cal Poly Pomona is the number one polytechnic university in the nation for student diversity and economic mobility. Our caring and inclusive campus community is committed to helping anyone who dreams of success achieve it. In Fall 2023, Cal Poly Pomona served more than 24,000 students and close to 2,000 graduate students, mostly residents of California. Over half of Cal Poly Pomona students are first-generation college students, 70% receive financial aid, and 42% are low-income students. The university enrolls 56% percent of historically underrepresented students. Our diverse student body identifies as 53% Hispanic/Latinx, 22% Asian, 13% White, 4% two or more races, 3% unknown, 3% African American/Black, 2% International, less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% Native American. Forty-three percent of students enroll in our STEM majors and our top five enrolled programs across the university include mechanical engineering, computer science, civil engineering, psychology, as well as finance, real estate, and law.  

Inclusive Excellence and Student Success. We aspire to be the model inclusive polytechnic university in the nation. We have a strong commitment to inclusive excellence and to educational experiences that leverage the diverse perspectives and experiences needed to succeed and thrive in a diverse society.

*As a part of the application for faculty positions, all candidates must submit a Student Success Statement that demonstrates their commitment and record of contributions to diversity and equity through their teaching, scholarship, or service by speaking to at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria below.

Candidates should explain how they have engaged in the criteria below in their pedagogy, scholarship, and/or service, as well as the level to which these efforts have been consistently incorporated into their work.

Inclusive Excellence Criteria:

1. Incorporates the contributions and struggles of historic ethnic minority groups or other disadvantaged communities into their teaching, scholarly work, and/or service contributions;
2. Adopts teaching strategies that support the learning and success of students from diverse student populations;
3. Mentors and engages diverse student populations in discovery, scholarship, and creative activities;
4. Engages students in problem-based projects and learning that address the needs of diverse communities;
5. Possesses knowledge of challenges and barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline and uses it to inform their work in specific ways;
6. Mentors and assists diverse student populations interested in pursuing graduate education;
7. Engages in community-responsive action research or service with diverse student populations and communities;
8. Has experience in or demonstrates a commitment to adopting experiential learning activities and pedagogy with diverse student populations and communities; and
9. Has expertise in or demonstrated commitment to teaching, scholarship and/or service that contributes to access, diversity, and equal opportunity in higher education.

College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences: Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS) brings to life a vibrant hands-on experience through disciplines in the humanities, performing arts, and social sciences. As the heart and soul of the campus, the College’s mission is to cultivate one’s intellectual development, ethical reasoning, and aesthetic sensibility to support creative and critical thinking in a dynamic world of competing challenges. We are a community diverse in backgrounds, expertise, and thought, committed to improving the human condition and to bettering the world. Our faculty, students, and staff are devoted to creating an inclusive environment where all can thrive through the College’s programs, research activities, creative performances, community outreach, and signature experiences. Learn more about CLASS and our 12 distinct departments at www.cpp.edu/class.

Department of Political Science: The Political Science Department offers a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with courses in six subfields: American Politics, Public Administration, Public Law, Political Theory, International Relations, and Comparative Politics. We also offer a master’s degree in Public Administration. The undergraduate program values research, with a strong capstone program, offering majors the opportunity to complete a senior project centered around a public-service internship or thesis. We also offer and prioritize several polytechnic, small-group experiences including National Model United Nations, Model Organization of American States, Judicial Internship, and department Study Away/Study Abroad programs (e.g., Sacramento, Iowa Caucuses, Japan, Italy, England). Applicants with a commitment to rigorous academic inquiry, practical experiential learning, and contributions to public service are encouraged to apply.

Cal Poly Pomona has a student body with diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and learning styles. The Department is looking for faculty who can thrive and contribute meaningfully in this environment. Our majors reflect the diversity of the overall university student population. The department currently has over 400 major students, including over 40 graduate students. Sixty percent of our majors are first generation and 70% identify with a minoritized group. The major enrolls a diverse student body that identifies as 64% Latinx, 14% White, 8% Asian, 5% Black, 3% two or more races, 3% international, 3% unknown, and less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Native Pacific Islander. We value faculty who can inspire students through their teaching, but also, who can inspire students through teaching and mentorship in research.

Position description:  The faculty member will primarily teach undergraduate classes in American Politics. All areas of specialization within American Politics will be considered. The faculty member will be expected to teach Introduction to American Government, a general education course required for all students at the university, and in addition, contribute to teaching upper-division major courses in both institutions and political behavior. A faculty member could potentially demonstrate a teaching and scholarly interest in gender, identity, intersectionality, and/or race and ethnic politics. The department also welcomes the new faculty member to introduce or teach upper-division major courses based on the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minorities, such as Black Politics and/or Indigenous Politics. 
The faculty member will be part of a collegial Political Science Department that grants both B.A. degrees and M.P.A. (Master’s in Public Administration) degrees. The position requires excellence in teaching and advising, professional and scholarly achievements, and a commitment to service to the university. Applicants whose work demonstrates a commitment to inclusive excellence and diversity in higher education are particularly encouraged to apply. Cal Poly Pomona is a Hispanic-serving institution, and the faculty member will be an advisor to many under-represented minorities and first-generation college students.  

Minimum requirements include:

• Ph.D. in Political Science from an accredited university at the time of appointment (Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.)
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusivity and equity. Evidence should be provided in a Student Success Statement that responds to the prompt above – “Inclusive Excellence and Student Success”
• Ability to teach courses in the political science curriculum, specifically within the American politics subfield.
• University teaching experience as instructor of record and/or teaching assistant
• Evidence of scholarly potential (conference presentations, publications, grant development, etc.)
• Evidence of demonstrated ability to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and/or service and work, as well as experience fostering an inclusive environment

 Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Research interests related, but not limited to: social or racial justice, gender inequities, inequality, intersectionality, feminism, political and racial violence, voting rights, social movements and political resistance, tribal politics, and/or the continued impact of colonialism in the US.
• Teaching or scholarly interest in gender, identity, intersectionality, and/or race and ethnic politics.
• The ability to introduce or teach upper-division courses based on the lived experiences of Black Americans and/or Indigenous Americans.
• Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate the ability to mentor and advise under-served populations including, but not limited to, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Black, Latino/e, and Indigenous students.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a scholarly expertise in Black politics and/or Indigenous politics.
• Ability to teach a range of courses, such as undergraduate, graduate, and high impact classes
• Experience in curriculum development and assessment

Conditions of Employment:

The person offered this position is required to pass a background check.

Application Process:

A completed application will consist of:

• • Cover letter in which you describe your interest in the position, teaching performance, research experience and interests, and how you meet the duties and qualifications articulated in the position description;
  • A Student Success Statement (up to 2 pages, single-spaced) that responds to the prompt above – “Inclusive Excellence and Student Success” and addresses at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria listed (please indicate the criteria numbers in your Statement);
  • Curriculum vitae;
  • The names and contact information for at least three individuals who can serve as references;
  • Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, official transcripts will be required of finalists).

Finalists for the position will:

• • be required to provide official transcripts for highest degree before the on-campus interview;
  • be required to provide three letters of reference dated within the last two years;
  • be expected to make a presentation of creative work and a teaching demonstration to faculty and interact with students.

 

Application instructions

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