Scholar Activist Fellow

Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community committed to transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and appreciation of the Anabaptist-Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a commitment to the mission, vision, core values and  community standards of Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.  

Position Summary: 

The Goshen College Religion, Justice, and Society (RJS) department invites a full-time scholar-activist committed to teaching and inspiring students and local organizations for up to a four-year fellowship with a primary focus on teaching and mentoring students in the theory and practice of organizing for social change. We seek a proven practitioner in social organizing who would teach and mentor our students as they engage with justice issues related to indigenous people, climate change, and race/ethnicity, with a flexible start date available immediately after an offer is extended. Since the position is divided between the community and the classroom, the successful applicant will have an enthusiastic commitment to teaching at the college level and community organizing experience advocating for social change.

Essential Position Functions and Duties: 

RJS Faculty – 50% 

The RJS department offers majors and minors in Bible & Religion, Criminal Justice & Restorative Justice (CJRJ), Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies (PJCS), Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS). All members of the department have opportunities to develop courses within their expertise. This is a non-tenure position. 

The candidate will teach two courses in both the fall and spring semesters relating to themes of justice, the environment, and indigenous culture, depending on curricular needs and the expertise of the candidate. 

• Teach assigned courses in designing for social change, environmental sociology or social justice, Indigenous people and cultures, and other courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise
• Prepare syllabi for assigned courses with the support of the RJS department chair and GC Core director
• Participate in department, school and college meetings
• Communicate expertise in appropriate public contexts such as professional conferences, churches, and campus venues

Social Justice Organizing – 50% 

The candidate will provide campus leadership for social justice organizing and advocacy, as well as building and extending connections to community organizations interested in supporting causes related to justice and the environment, especially relating to dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. 

• Foster education and formation of GC students in social change through spiritually grounded practices of social organizing aligned with Anabaptist-Mennonite theology
• Work in relationship with the local congregations who are part of the Repair Network of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery.
• Develop relationships with additional faith based communities as they join the repair network and/or participate in Coalition campaigns
• Cultivate and support student leadership at GC to promote national and local student-led campaigns that address social justice issues, such as the One Circle group

Position Qualifications: 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Evidence of community organizing/ involvement
• Master’s degree in sociology, religion, theology, peace and justice or related field
• Collaboration across disciplines
• Commitment to working with diverse populations in both community and college contexts
• Strong oral and written communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience teaching or educating at the college/university or community level
• Experience teaching diverse students and populations
• Ability to teach additional departmental courses depending on the area of expertise

Compensation & Benefits: 

This is a full-time appointment (1.0 FTE), 12-month position with a base salary between $45,565-$50,000 annually, depending on the candidate’s qualifications, and offers full benefits, including:

• Health insurance (employee premium 100% covered)
• Dental, vision, life and LTD insurance
• Retirement plans
• Tuition discounts
• Free employee membership to Recreation/Fitness Center
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave

See our website for additional benefits information. 

About Goshen College

Goshen College is a nationally-ranked college and Hispanic-Serving Institution in Indiana renowned for its distinctive hands-on, real-world educational opportunities and its commitment to creating positive change in the community and the world. The college offers over 65 undergraduate areas of study; as well as best-in-class graduate programs in nursing, business administration, social work, and environmental education. This caring, safe, and diverse campus prides itself on providing excellent academic programs that connect arts with sciences, and theory with practice — exposing students to multiple perspectives and encouraging them to think deeply, live creatively, and lead purposefully.

The college is located in the City of Goshen in the heart of Elkhart County, within several hours of Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit. Residents of Goshen enjoy a culturally diverse small-town atmosphere with an active arts community, a vibrant and entrepreneurial downtown, the Maple City Greenway network of bicycle paths, and affordable housing prices. Learn more at www.goodofgoshen.com.

How to Apply 

Please be sure to provide all required materials noted below, as incomplete applications may not be considered. Application materials may be attached to the Faculty Application Form or sent electronically to hr@goshen.edu.

Required:

• Complete the online Faculty Application Form
• Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of three professional references with contact information
• Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (official transcripts) and background check will be required prior to hire

Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. With a commitment to building a diverse faculty and staff, underrepresented persons are encouraged to apply. 

E-Verify Statement of Participation

Goshen College participates in E-Verify. If you are hired, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Goshen College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Goshen College is an equal opportunity employer, committed to enhancing diversity across the institution. Goshen College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. As a religious institution, Goshen College expressly reserves its rights, its understandings of, and its commitments to the historic Anabaptist identity and the teachings of Mennonite Church USA, and reserves the legal right to hire and employ individuals who support the values of the college. To protect the welfare and provide for the safety of the students, employees, visitors, and resources of Goshen College, background checks are conducted by the Office of Human Resources on all new and re-hired employees.

Human Resources
Goshen College
1700 S. Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526-4795

E-mail: hr@goshen.edu
Telephone: (574) 535-7111