Assistant professor history

The Department of History at Ohio Wesleyan University invites applications for a tenure-track position beginning August 2026 in Modern U.S. History since 1877 (specialization open) to develop and teach world history courses at all levels. We seek an outstanding teacher-scholar who will engage and support students in the classroom and in broader campus programming. We will prioritize hiring an individual who is able to offer a broad range of courses that can contribute to other majors and interdisciplinary programs.

New faculty at OWU benefit from strong institutional support, including the opportunity to apply for start-up funding, a pre-tenure sabbatical, and extensive opportunities for student-faculty collaboration through the Summer Scholarship Research Program and our signature experience, The OWU Connection . The department is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community with wide-ranging teaching and research interests, supported by faculty development and mentoring from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation .

This position is part of a faculty cluster hire designed to expand our curriculum and strengthen our community of teacher-scholars. Faculty in this cohort will join a college deeply committed to flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity. New faculty have opportunities for mentoring, professional development, and collaboration across the Ohio Five and GLCA consortia .

Responsibilities:

• A six-course annual teaching load (3/3) including lower and upper-level courses
• Teaching HIST 250 (Historical Inquiry, required of all majors) on a rotating basis
• Contributing to the teaching of Ohio Wesleyan’s first year seminar
• Overseeing student teacher evaluations for the History Major for Teachers
• Engaging in a consistent and focused line of research
• Assisting in curriculum development, revision, and evaluation
• Advising students in their academic journey
• Providing service to the department (including endowed history lectures), university, and profession
  
  

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in History in hand by August 2026
• A record of successful college-level teaching experience
• Skill in pedagogical practices that promote classroom inclusivity
  
  

Application Requirements:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and the following:

• Evidence of successful teaching: such as syllabi, student evaluations, and/or peer teaching reviews;
• Statement of teaching and student engagement: Please provide a statement that articulates your teaching philosophy. In your statement, address your ability to teach a broad range of courses and to employ pedagogical approaches that support students with varied perspectives and experiences leading to their success . Describe how you connect students with opportunities, resources, and networks that expand their access to your field of study. Include examples of outreach, advising, or program activities that have supported students whose pathways into the discipline may not follow a traditional trajectory.
  
  

Please submit all materials via , where you will find additional information about working at OWU. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and additional materials are not required for the initial submission. They may be requested in later stages of the search process.

Review of applications will begin on Oct 15 and continue until the position is filled. Questions may be directed to Dr. Ellen Arnold, search chair ( [email protected] ).

About Ohio Wesleyan

Located in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, Ohio Wesleyan is a selective residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,600+ students. The college’s signature program, The OWU Connection, empowers students to complete research, community service, careers, and study abroad, teaching students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book Colleges That Change Lives and was recently listed as the No. 1 liberal arts college in Ohio for social mobility by U.S. News and World Report. OWU is located in Delaware, OH, a lively college town just 30 minutes from Columbus, the 14th most populous city in the United States and part of the fastest growing, most economically vibrant areas of the Midwest. Columbus, known increasingly as the “Silicon Midwest,” was named by LinkedIn as one of the top 10 U.S. cities in which to launch your career.

To achieve our mission, we continually strive to foster a campus community where every individual is respected, supported, and able to flourish. We affirm the worth of all persons and welcome people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Ohio Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity institution and seeks applications from individuals who will contribute to, and help strengthen, our commitment to academic excellence, mutual respect, and the shared pursuit of knowledge.