The English, Rhetoric, and Writing Department at Berry College seeks a teacher-writer-mentor at the assistant or associate professor level (tenure-track) in poetry writing and writing pedagogy to help meet the needs of our growing creative writing major. We welcome innovative approaches to teaching writing. The department is developing a professional writing minor, and should this be of interest to the hire, they will have the opportunity to develop courses within the minor that align with their interests and expertise. The candidate will be committed to our mission of cultivating astute, creative, and sensitive readers and writers who understand the power and complexity of literature as an artistic expression of human experiences. They will also demonstrate aptitude and enthusiasm for teaching in a liberal arts environment, including teaching first-year writing, and a genuine commitment to mentoring and guiding undergraduate students. The teaching load is 18 hours, which typically translates as 3 courses per semester, and the position starts in August 2027.
The successful candidate will be joining a vibrant department housed in the Evans School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. The department is collegial, supportive, and committed to the success of our students, providing a range of courses and approaches to literature and creative writing, both traditional and innovative. Faculty at Berry have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. Our faculty engage with students in and out of the classroom to develop meaningful mentoring relationships such as employing students as research assistants through the college’s LifeWorks program, guiding them in undergraduate research, and coaching them in the development of their capstone portfolios. This hire will also assist in bringing in visiting writers for the department’s Creative Writing Reading Series, facilitating interactions between our students and a range of successful, published writers.
This new faculty member will teach courses in intermediate and advanced poetry and will share responsibilities with the rest of the creative writing faculty in teaching Introduction to Creative Writing, combining study of and instruction in craft with students’ creative production. They will also help staff our two unique 400-level courses, Writing about Place and Writing and Community, and will aid us in developing new courses in creative writing. Applicants at the associate professor level may also have the opportunity for leadership roles within the department.
The successful candidate should also be an active participant in the campus community and interested in mentoring students consistent with the college’s commitment to a Good Neighbor Culture.
Requirements:
Applicants must hold an MFA or Ph.D. in Creative Writing or a closely related field, and candidates who are currently ABD should earn their Ph.D. by the date of employment.
Additional Information:
ABOUT BERRY COLLEGE
Berry is a selective independent college of 2,200 students located adjacent to Rome, GA, midway between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN. Berry’s educational approach deliberately unites challenging academic programs with practical work experience in a residential campus community that encourages faith and emphasizes caring for the needs of others above self. Our mission and values are grounded in the ethic that our founder instilled more than a century ago:
“We educate the head, heart, and hands – to inspire leaders of integrity who cultivate thriving communities. By combining academic exploration with meaningful work responsibilities in a residential setting, our approach emphasizes firsthand experience and mentoring. We invest in the personal growth and professional preparation of talented students from varied backgrounds, with an enduring commitment to help those hindered by financial need. Guided by Christian principles, we value the dignity of individuals, the search for truth tempered with grace, and the well-being of our neighbors.”
Nationally recognized for quality of learning and quality of life, Berry offers first-rate undergraduate degree programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, and human sciences, as well as undergraduate and master’s opportunities in business and teacher education. The College’s stunning 27,000-acre campus affords opportunities that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Berry’s ongoing commitment is to provide exceptional educational experiences to talented students from a wide range of social, racial, and economic backgrounds.
COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
Berry College is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity institution, Berry complies with all applicable laws and provisions prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies. Berry respects the essential dignity of all individuals and, accordingly, hires and promotes employees without regard to personal identity characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Berry College is committed to ensuring that facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to everyone, including those seeking employment at Berry College. Inquiries about interviews or workplace accommodation are welcome. You can reach out to us at employment@berry.edu or (706) 233-4062.
Application Instructions:
Applicants should submit a letter of application describing the candidate’s interest in this position and commitment to the Berry mission and values; a curriculum vitae; a teaching statement that should articulate the candidate’s teaching approach, experience, and goals; a statement of research plans; unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts; and names and contact information of three references.
Review of applications will begin on October 12 and will continue until the position is filled.
Specific questions about the position may be sent directly to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Clint Peters, at cpeters@berry.edu.
