📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing
🔹 Company: Sweet Briar College
🔹 Location: Sweet Briar, VA
🔹 Job Type: Full Time
🔹 Category: Education
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30
🔹 Experience Level: Experienced
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Teaching undergraduate English and Creative Writing courses
- Focusing on fiction, with a preferred secondary specialization in creative nonfiction
- Engaging in collaborative scholarship and interdisciplinary work
- Supporting the College's leadership core curriculum
- Participating in campus academic life
ASSUMPTION: This role is ideal for a creative writer with teaching experience who is eager to engage in collaborative projects and support the College's mission.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Teach six courses per academic year, including at least three sections of The Mindful Writer, a first-year writing course
✅ Engage in collaborative scholarship and interdisciplinary work
✅ Support the College's leadership core curriculum
✅ Participate in campus academic life
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be an engaged creative writer and teacher who can balance teaching responsibilities with scholarly pursuits.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: M.F.A or Ph.D
Experience: Demonstrated interest in working across disciplines and engaging in collaborative scholarship
Required Skills:
- Proven teaching experience at the undergraduate level
- Evidence of potential for creative writing publications
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Preferred Skills:
- At least one book published by or under contract with a national press
ASSUMPTION: While not required, having a published book will strengthen the candidate's application and demonstrate their potential for creative writing success.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Undisclosed (Industry standard for Assistant Professors in Virginia: $60,000 - $80,000)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Tuition remission for employees and dependents
- Generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for Assistant Professors in Virginia. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: Small (around 300 employees)
Founded: 1900
Company Description:
- Sweet Briar College is a liberal arts college for women with a long history of forging female leaders
- Known for its innovative liberal arts program, distinctive programs in women leadership, engineering, sustainability, arts, and legendary equestrian program
- Located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, with a campus that includes nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests, trails, and vineyards
Company Specialties:
- Liberal arts education
- Women's leadership programs
- Engineering and sustainability initiatives
Company Website: sbc.edu
ASSUMPTION: Sweet Briar College is committed to enhancing its community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints who would strengthen the College.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Early Career (Assistant Professor)
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Creative Writing Program
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for tenure-track position after successful completion of the one-year contract
- Opportunities for professional development and scholarly pursuits
- Chance to shape the creative writing program and contribute to the College's mission
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities for the right candidate, including the potential for a tenure-track position and the chance to make a significant impact on the creative writing program.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-campus, traditional office environment
Office Location(s): Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA
Geographic Context:
- Located approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville
- Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering easy access to outdoor activities
- Close to major cities and cultural attractions
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm (with some flexibility for teaching and office hours)
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is supportive and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-campus interview and teaching demonstration
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Teaching philosophy and demonstration
- Scholarly pursuits and publication record
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Alignment with the College's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your cover letter to highlight your fit with the College's mission and values
- Provide a clear and concise teaching philosophy statement
- Include a writing sample that showcases your creative writing skills
ATS Keywords: Creative Writing, Teaching, Collaborative Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Work, Undergraduate Education, Fiction, Nonfiction
ASSUMPTION: The application process is competitive, and candidates should highlight their unique qualifications and fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Standard office software (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
- Learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard)
- Scholarly research and writing tools (e.g., Mendeley, Zotero)
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable using standard office software and learning management systems, as well as scholarly research and writing tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in teaching and learning
- Collaboration and interdisciplinary work
- Innovation and creativity
Work Style:
- Supportive and collaborative
- Focused on student success and growth
- Committed to the College's mission and values
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your teaching philosophy and methods align with the College's mission and values?
- How do you approach interdisciplinary work and collaboration with colleagues across different disciplines?
- How do you balance teaching responsibilities with scholarly pursuits and creative writing?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider how their work style and values align with the College's mission and culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing teaching responsibilities with scholarly pursuits and creative writing
- Adapting to a small college environment after working in a larger institution
- Managing expectations and workload during the first year in a tenure-track position
- Navigating the unique dynamics of a women's college
ASSUMPTION: While these challenges may arise, the College offers a supportive and collaborative work environment that can help mitigate these issues.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Assistant Professor roles in English and Creative Writing at other liberal arts colleges
- Visiting Assistant Professor roles at other institutions
- Tenure-track Assistant Professor roles at larger universities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to teach at a women's college with a strong focus on leadership and interdisciplinary work, as well as the potential for a tenure-track position after successful completion of the one-year contract.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and teaching a new course in creative nonfiction
- Collaborating with colleagues across disciplines on interdisciplinary projects
- Publishing a book of fiction or creative nonfiction
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the types of initiatives the successful candidate might undertake in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first year?
- How does the College support faculty in balancing teaching responsibilities with scholarly pursuits and creative writing?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the creative writing program and the College as a whole?
- How does the College foster a culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary work?
- What are the expectations for tenure-track candidates after the successful completion of the one-year contract?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help candidates better understand the role's expectations and the College's support for faculty growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Visit https://sbc.edu/human-resources/faculty-staff-job-openings/ and submit your application
- Tailor your cover letter to highlight your fit with the College's mission and values
- Prepare a clear and concise teaching philosophy statement
- Include a writing sample that showcases your creative writing skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submission to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
