Assistant Professor of English; Suzan-Lori Parks 'Chair in Creative Writing

Position Overview

Department of English at Mount Holyoke College invites applications for an Assistant Professor of English who will hold the Suzan‑Lori Parks ’85 Chair in Creative Writing.

The position entails teaching introductory multi‑genre creative writing courses, as well as advanced courses in creative nonfiction and other topics, for a total of 2 courses per semester. The successful candidate will collaborate within and beyond the department to build our creative writing community and culture through the Inter Arts Council, the Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Competition, thesis advising, and mentoring of student literary projects.

• A strong record of publication in creative nonfiction, including personal essay, memoir, lyric essay, cultural criticism, science and environmental writing, literary journalism, and hybrid forms.
• Additional interests in fiction, translation, graphic narratives, podcasting, performance writing, experimental writing, and oral history are welcome.
• Experience and commitment to teaching at the undergraduate level, with a record of student‑centered, reflective, and inclusive teaching practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration and interdisciplinarity.
• Instructions to the district:
  Demonstrated ability to mentor students from diverse backgrounds (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, religion).
• MFA, Ph.D., or ABD required.

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Brief writing sample (up to 25 pages, one PDF)
• One‑page statement of teaching philosophy/practice
• One‑page statement on mentoring a diverse student body
• Two syllabi (one for an introductory creative writing course and one for a creative nonfiction course)

Reference letters will be requested at a later date. Review of applications will begin September 18, 2026. Please contact the English department at english with any questions.

Minimum starting rate of pay: $90,000.

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. [Reference to Office of Human Resources and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management omitted for brevity.]

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.