Teaching Specialist or Lecturer: African American & African Studies

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate or graduate students in assigned course(s), hold office hours to assist and advise students, and participate in relevant departmental meetings.

The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

• Master's degree in or a related field in Education, the Humanities or Social Sciences required for appointment as Teaching Specialist.
• Ph.D. degree in education or a related field in Education, the Humanities or Social Sciences required for appointment as Lecturer.
• For Spanish for Special Purposes courses, other relevant professional degrees will be considered (e.g. a Master's in Public Health for the instructor of a course on Medical Spanish).
• Two years post‑secondary teaching experience in the relevant or related field.
• Demonstration of commitment to quality teaching and program development.
• Strong English language communication skills.

• Positive evaluations from students, peers, and/or supervisors.
• Prior teaching experience at the same or similar course level.
• Demonstrated success with teaching, organizing, being collaborative, and mentoring students.

The Department of African American & African Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota occasionally needs teaching specialists or lecturers to teach courses that cannot be staffed by regular faculty or graduate students. Openings of this kind sometimes occur for teaching evening and summer session, as well as day courses and courses offered through Independent and Remote Learning.

The courses are primarily introductory or survey courses. These positions are temporary and part‑time.

This does not constitute a posting for vacancies, but establishes a pool of applicants should openings occur during the 2025/26 academic year. Applicants will be selected from this pool on an as‑needed basis through the academic year. This is a temporary, non‑tenured, Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) position, paid on a per course basis. These appointments are typically arranged semester by semester and employment is contingent upon the course meeting its enrollment target.

Appointments may be renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

Teaching specialists and lecturers will be expected to teach classes, hold office hours, turn in grades, participate in department service, respond to student and department inquiries, submit an activity report, attend meetings, and turn in student evaluations. Annual performance reviews are conducted each spring.

Pay Range: Teaching Specialists $5,000.00 – $8,000.00 per course, Lecturers $6,000.00 – $9,000.00 per course, depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Time Appointment Category: 50%–74% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Retirement plans
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.