Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology - Tenure Track

Position Summary:

Adams State University invites applications for a faculty position in Psychology at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. We seek an energetic and enthusiastic individual who loves teaching and shares our dedication to excellence in the classroom. The successful candidate will join a close-knit, supportive department that offers bachelor’s degrees in psychology, psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology, and a joint sport psychology program with our Department of Kinesiology. Although our faculty remain research-active, Adams State University is a teaching-focused institution; the standard faculty teaching load is 12 credit-hours per semester. While we welcome applications from psychology generalists, primary teaching responsibilities will draw from the following curriculum: Introduction to Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Adolescent and Adult Development, Forensic Psychology, Sport Psychology, History and Systems of Psychology. We are also open to candidate-designed courses in specialty topic areas of particular interest to the applicant. The position is available to start August 16, 2027.

Mission of the Department

The School for Humanities and Social Sciences meets students where they are, through equitable and inclusive education, and guides them in their exploration and analysis of the complexities of diverse cultures and societies to understand the past, lead in the present, and prepare for the future. We teach critical thinking through engagement in research, co-curricular activities, scholarship, and interpretation so students gain knowledge and understanding of what it means to be human in a changing social-political world.

We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies. 

Minimum Qualifications

•  PhD in Psychology by the time the position starts.
•  A strong focus on teaching
•  Demonstrates knowledge of, sensitivity to, and ability to work effectively with, the educational needs of individuals and groups with a diverse range of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities
• Evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural diversity of Adams State University’s student population, including students with different abilities (e.g. physical and or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded, inclusive practices within the classroom
• Demonstrated commitment to honesty, efficacy, and collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability or experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations, and first-generation college students.
• Ability or experience in the recruitment and/or retention of underrepresented students, including students of color.
• Commitment to professional development, scholarship, and service to the university and community.
• Demonstrated self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation towards teaching.
• Demonstrated decision-making that is informed by research, data, and theory and that leverages students' unique cultures, experiences, and background as strengths.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for the position is commensurate with experience and education. The salary range for an Assistant Professor is $50,449-$63,061. The salary range for an Associate Professor is $58,640-$73,300.

In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit https://www.adams.edu/hr/benefits/. Opportunities for supplemental contracts may be available. 

Priority Deadline

Priority will be given to applications received by December 14th, 2026.

Required Documents 

Completed applications should include the following:

• A detailed cover letter of application addressing teaching interest/experience as well as how professional interests and goals aligned with Adams vision and values. 
  • We encourage applicants to discuss their commitment to scholarly and/or creative excellence.
  • Additionally, we seek to learn how scholarly excellence is interwoven with their approach to service, teaching, mentoring, and affirming varied perspectives.
• CV
• Graduate transcripts - Copies accepted. Official transcripts required upon hire
• Three references: name, job title, and contact information (email, phone).
• Teaching Statement: (include sample course syllabi) in addition to describing your approach to teaching in general, please address the following questions:
  • What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized in psychology and the social sciences? 
  • What role should faculty play in student success?

Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Gina Mitchell, Chair, Psychology Search Committee (gmitchell@adams.edu). 

Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.

We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.

The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics/
 

Disclosures:

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's  sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed  procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at  https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/.  These  procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.  

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.