Career Center

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure track faculty position at the Rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences for an appointment beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year. The successful candidate will hold the Shri Shantinath Endowed Chair in Ahimsa Studies, serve as the Director of the Ahimsa Center, as well as teach and pursue an active research agenda (see details below).

The University. Cal Poly Pomona is one of two polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 11 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 territories 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. 15 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.  

Inclusive Excellence Criteria.  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. 

Tenure track faculty hires will demonstrate a commitment and record of contributions through their teaching, scholarship, or service to these inclusive excellence criteria (a minimum of two must be addressed in the Student Success Statement):

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

The College: 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 the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences and our 11 distinct departments at www.cpp.edu/class. 

Ahimsa Center: Established in 2003-04 in CLASS, the Ahimsa Center is dedicated to interdisciplinary teaching and learning about nonviolence and its practical applications at various levels: personal, interpersonal, societal, national, and international. Educational and outreach initiatives of the Center such as conferences and summer institutes for K-12 educators facilitate an understanding of nonviolence as a transformational force. To learn more about the Center, visit:  www.cpp.edu/ahimsacenter

The Position: The College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences seeks candidates from any discipline, preferably from Humanities or Social Sciences, who specialize in Ahimsa Studies (Nonviolence Studies). This can be demonstrated by a teaching and research focus related to themes such as the following:

The history of nonviolence and global nonviolent movements; leadership in nonviolence and social change; ethics and philosophy of nonviolence; politics of nonviolent movements, nonviolent conflict resolution, ahimsa in wisdom traditions such as Jainism and Buddhism; Gandhian and Kingian nonviolence; nonviolence and meditative practices; women and nonviolence;  nonviolence and restorative justice; care, compassion, and nonviolence; social justice movements anchored in nonviolence; and psychology of nonviolence.

The successful candidate will hold the Shri Shantinath Endowed Chair in Ahimsa Studies and serve as the Director of the Ahimsa Center.

This position has two major roles. As a tenure-track faculty, candidates must demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching a diverse undergraduate student-body; the ability to teach the existing core courses (Nonviolence in the Modern World and a capstone seminar in nonviolence); the interest and ability to design new course(s) to strengthen the Minor in Nonviolence Studies; and have an active research agenda in the study of nonviolence. Candidates may also have an opportunity for teaching within their discipline-based department. As the director of the Ahimsa Center, candidates must demonstrate the ability to direct the Center's various activities which include offering professional development programs for K-12 educators in nonviolence education, and organizing and hosting quality public programs such as lectures, workshops, symposia, and conferences that explore the relevance of nonviolence at personal, interpersonal, institutional, national, or international levels.  The director will have access to endowment funds to implement the various activities of the Center and to advance and enrich Ahimsa Studies. 

The position carries a teaching load of 2/2 in the first two years, and 3/3 subsequently, with additional competitive course reduction opportunities for curricular innovation, research and scholarly activity, and initiatives in extramural funding. 

Applications at both the Assistant and Associate levels will be given full consideration.

Minimum Qualifications – Assistant Rank

• Ph.D. from an accredited university preferably in a humanities or social science discipline by the time of appointment. 
• Doctoral dissertation or other substantive scholarly work with focus on nonviolence; and evidence of strong interest in pursuing scholarly research in nonviolence studies.
• Evidence of potential to teach existing core and capstone courses in Nonviolence Studies program.  
• Demonstrated commitment in organizing public programs such as lectures, conferences, or symposia related to nonviolence.
• Potential to offer programs anchored in nonviolence for professional development of K-12 educators.
• Commitment to mentoring students from underrepresented groups.

Preferred Qualifications – Assistant Rank

• Readiness for designing innovative course work related to nonviolence studies.
• One or more years of university teaching experience in nonviolence related area.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity (e.g., publications, conference presentations, invited lectures).
• Evidence of working with students from underrepresented groups. 
• Strong interest in community outreach and working with the Center's Advisory Board.

Minimum Qualifications – Associate Rank

• Ph.D. from an accredited university preferably in a humanities or social science discipline.
• At least four years of full-time university teaching experience that includes at least two years of teaching experience in courses related to nonviolence, and readiness to offer core and capstone courses in the Nonviolence Studies Minor.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity (publications, conference presentations, invited lectures, grant-writing, etc.) related to nonviolence. 
• Readiness for organizing and hosting various programs of the Ahimsa Center such as public lectures, workshops, and conferences. 
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and offer relevant professional development program in nonviolence education for K-12 educators.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring students from underrepresented groups.

Preferred Qualifications – Associate Rank

• Evidence of experience in curricular innovation related to Nonviolence Studies.
• Ability to build a professional network to facilitate the advancement of Nonviolence Studies.  
• Some experience with professional development programs for K-12 educators.
• Interest in seeking extramural support, community outreach, including the Center's Advisory Board, to undertake new initiatives or expand on continuing activities of the Ahimsa Center.
• Some experience in mentoring underrepresented student groups.

The position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to completed applications received by November 15, 2021. Early submission is advised. All application materials must be submitted in PDF format via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/97334

A completed application consists of the following.   

1. A cover letter that (a) indicates the rank for which the candidate is applying; (b) describes the candidate's teaching and research interest and experience in Nonviolence Studies; (c) addresses the roles and responsibilities articulated under the position description; and (d) provides a statement of goals for future research and professional activities.  
2. A completed application form available on the application website: https://www.cpp.edu/faculty-affairs/documents/acadapplication_feb2017.pdf  
3. A curriculum vitae that covers all the elements specified on the application form, lists professional qualifications, accomplishments, and experience relevant to this position, and includes the names, titles, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least five individuals who can speak to the candidate's potential for success in this position. 
4. Three recent letters of reference on letterhead signed and dated within the past two years. 
5. A Student Success Statement that demonstrates candidate's commitment and contribution to at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria listed above through candidate's record of teaching, research, and/or service (maximum two pages). 
6. An unofficial transcript showing the highest degree earned from an accredited educational institution. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript.
7. Sample syllabi and recent teaching evaluation summaries (if available).  

For further information or clarification, please contact Dr. Tara Sethia, Search Committee Chair via at tsethia@cpp.edu

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.  The University seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of California, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.  Cal Poly Pomona subscribes to all state and federal regulations and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status.  The University hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.  As required by the Clery Disclosure Act, the university's annual security report is available at http://www.cpp.edu/~police/annual-security-report.shtml. The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.  A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.