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Union College invites applications for the position of Lecturer in Spanish and Hispanic Studies, beginning September 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin on February 2, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by February 1, 2025 will receive priority consideration.

The Spanish and Hispanic Studies Department is seeking a Lecturer who specializes in Community-Based Pedagogies, preferably with expertise in U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures. Candidates must hold a PhD in Spanish, Hispanic Studies, Latin American Studies, Latino Studies, or a related field. Candidates with PhD in hand will be prioritized. Candidates who will defend their dissertation by August 2026 will be considered. Native or near-native fluency in Spanish required. English language proficiency must be sufficient to communicate effectively with campus and community partners.

Lecturer positions are renewable with a contract period of three years. Opportunities for promotion to Senior Lecturer (with renewable five-year contracts) occur after six years. Teaching load is six courses per year along with co-curricular responsibilities and the expectation of student advising, College service, and departmental service including curricular development, student engagement, placement advising, and recruitment activities.

Strong Spanish language teaching skills and experience at all levels required. We seek candidates who also have ample experience teaching and designing courses with community-based components and/or collaborating with community partners. Ability to contribute courses to 250-299, 300, and 400 levels that complement our current offerings is a plus. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise to develop courses in Spanish and English on U.S. Latino, Caribbean, Central American, or Mexican cultures. Candidates with experience teaching Heritage learners preferred.

Co-curricular responsibilities will focus on liaising with Community Engagement and Outreach (https://www.union.edu/kenney-center) , the Career Center (https://www.union.edu/becker-career-center) , other academic departments, and local organizations and businesses to build and coordinate a consistent program of offerings and real-world, career-adjacent opportunities that connect students and the department’s curriculum to local Spanish-speaking communities. We will look for evidence of candidates' interest in and ability to engage students in learning outside the classroom, including but not limited to diverse approaches to experiential or applied learning opportunities. Candidates with experience that will prepare them to design and coordinate community engagement opportunities for the department will be prioritized.

Union College offers many opportunities for both faculty and students to engage with multiple disciplines - and each other - in collaborative classroom settings, innovative majors and minors, and unique initiatives. We encourage candidates who can offer interdisciplinary courses, especially those that intersect with Latin American and Caribbean Studies and/or other interdisciplinary programs (https://www.union.edu/interdisciplinary-studies) . We ask that candidates explain their interest in working at a small liberal arts college and in New York’s Capital District and the Schenectady community. A successful applicant will demonstrate interest in working closely with undergraduate students and in departmental curricular development that is forward-thinking, creative, and interdisciplinary.

About the Spanish and Hispanic Studies Department:

The Spanish and Hispanic Studies program recently became an independent department. Spanish is among the top five most popular minors at Union College. We are a dynamic and energized group that welcomes bold curricular experimentation. We hope our new lecturer will help us build on our success through the development of community-based opportunities for our students.

Application instructions:

Please submit all application materials as pdf files. Only the materials listed below will be considered:

+ Curriculum vitae

+ Letter of interest

+ Teaching statement that includes a discussion of the candidate’s commitment to inclusion in both collaborations with community partners and teaching a diverse student body

+ Graduate transcripts

Applicants invited to the first round of interviews will receive a request for the following:

+ Contact information for three professional references who will be asked to provide letters of recommendation speaking to the applicant’s abilities in teaching Spanish courses at various levels; experience with community-based pedagogies or community work; expertise in U.S. Latino and/or Latin American cultures

+ Two sample syllabi for classes you would be prepared to teach at Union at any level from intermediate to 400 (fourth year), at least one of which includes a community-based component

Please send questions and other inquiries to Stephanie Mueller, Associate Professor and Chair of Spanish and Hispanic Studies at [email protected].

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $68,500-$70,500. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

We offer exceptional benefits including:

+ Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)

+ Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs

+ Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development

+ Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan

+ Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability

+ Tuition programs

Background Checks: In accordance with our background check policy (http://www.union.edu/human-resources/background-check-policy?\_ga=2.164769983.1635496244.1717465945-1000516401.1717465945) , finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify (https://www.e-verify.gov/) and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar) (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER\_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng\_Es.pdf) .

Union College

Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth-oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem-solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at [email protected] or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.

Diversity at Union College

Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity.