Job Description:
The Department of Dance in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance seeks a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Multicultural Dance beginning August 15, 2026. Responsibilities will include teaching in the BA and BFA curriculum, providing artistic leadership in the undergraduate dance program, recruitment engagement, advising, and directing and choreographing for student productions.
Depending on interest and expertise, courses taught may include but are not limited to: Urban Dance (Hip Hop), African Dance and/or other World dance techniques. Ability to teach in at least three of the following areas: Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Pedagogy, Kinesiology, Choreography, Improvisation, Movement Analysis, Dance Technology, or Dance Production. Successful candidates will have an understanding of current performance practices in contemporary and classical work, an enthusiastic commitment to teaching undergraduate students, and a positive collaborative approach to working with fellow artists.
The successful candidate will be expected to maintain personal scholarship and professional contacts with local, state, national and international associations.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates must possess:
- an M.F.A. in Dance or dance-related PhD
- minimum of three years university-level teaching experience
- significant professional experience performing and choreographing
School/College/Dept Summary:
Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance is a leading center of performing arts education in southeast Michigan, offering outstanding educational and performance opportunities to undergraduate, graduate students, and community members. SMTD students learn and grow as musicians, actors, dancers, designers, arts educators and researchers in a collaborative and supportive environment. www.oakland.edu/smtd.
The rapidly-growing Dance department is housed in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program enrolls approximately 50 majors and 25 minors, and services the music theatre and theatre programs as well as general education students. The department produces four to six concerts annually on the OU campus. There are two student dance companies, the Oakland Dance Theatre and the pre-professional dance company, OU Repertory Dance Company. Dance students participate annually in the American College Dance Festival occurring at locations within the East Central Region and the department also offers study abroad programs. The Dance Program is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.
OU Standard:
The University is located on 1,443 acres of scenic land in the cities of Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills in Oakland County, Michigan. The University offers 142 bachelor’s degree programs and 138 graduate degree and certificate programs. Academics include programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education and Human Services, School of Engineering and Computer Science, School of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and School of Nursing. As an anchor institution in southeastern Michigan that is dedicated to building ongoing, collaborative relationships, Oakland University embraces community and civic engagement to enhance the lives of its students and positively impact the broader community. Learn more about Oakland University’s Mission & Vision and Strategic Plan.
Special Instructions:
To apply, go to https://jobs.oakland.edu/postings/36104 and upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts (unofficial acceptable). Contact information for references will be requested in the Professional Reference section of the application and a link provided through which references can submit letters. A review of applications will begin on November 8, 2025. Questions may be directed to Allison Woerner, [email protected].
Link: https://jobs.oakland.edu/postings/36104
EEO: Oakland University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.
