Rank: Assistant Professor

Department: American Indian Studies

Starting Date: Fall 2025 

The Department of American Indian Studies (AIS) at the California State University San Marcos  (CSUSM) is located on the traditional territory and homelands of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum  people this land remains the shared space among the Kuupangaxwichem/Cupeño and Kumeyaay  and Ipai peoples. The AIS department invites applications for two tenure-track positions in  American Indian Studies. We seek individuals with a commitment to the enhancement of our  American Indian Studies major and department. This position is an excellent opportunity for  scholars interested in a career at a teaching-centered institution that is home to the largest per  capita American Indian student population in California.

Our department provides students with a research, community, and place-based program of  study. We accomplish this through an integrated approach to understanding tribal knowledge,  sovereignty, diverse histories, tribal legal and political status, community, culture, social and  educational needs of American Indians in California and the US. Students in AIS learn to work  effectively with and for Tribal Nations and communities as they interface with non-Indian  communities to exercise tribal sovereignty. We offer both the undergraduate major and minor in  AIS.

We are seeking scholars with expertise in the following areas, particularly from an AIS lens:  Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Decolonial Studies, California Indian Studies, History and  Policy, Indigenous Cultural Rights, Business and Economic Development, Health and Wellness, or  Education. It is essential for these scholars to prioritize place-based learning and demonstrate a  commitment to decolonizing research methodologies. 

Candidates applying for this position should hold a PhD in American Indian Studies (Native  American, Indigenous, First Nations) or a closely related field, with completion prior to the  appointment start date. Furthermore, candidates should demonstrate a clear commitment to  American Indian epistemology, encompassing theory, methodology, and pedagogy as they relate  to the field of AIS. 

The appointment will begin August 2025. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• PhD in American Indian Studies (Native American, Indigenous, First Nations) or related disciplines; ABD applicants will be accepted; Ph.D. must be completed before employment start date.
• A clear commitment to American Indian epistemology, in terms of theory, methodology, pedagogy as they pertain to the field of American Indian Studies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sovereignty, culture, and tribal histories and federal Indian policy and law.
• Demonstrated experience in working in collaboration with California American Indian tribes, communities, organizations and/or other American Indian nations in the US. • Demonstrated teaching experience that emphasizes Indigenous knowledge and culture. • Ability to teach a variety of general education, upper-division, in-person, hybrid, and online classes, including independent studies as needed. 
• Demonstrated active research agenda and a strong record of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR).  
• Evidence of ability to communicate American Indian perspectives including cultures and histories.
• Evidence of academic and/or professional background necessary to contribute to the development and growth of place-based curriculum and pedagogical practices. • Evidence of potential ability to obtain external research grants.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience teaching American Indian students at the University level. • Evidence in developing curriculum in decolonization, tribal sovereignty, resistance, resurgence and resilience and courses addressing settler colonialism.
• Evidence of working collaboratively with other departments and programs across disciplines.

Duties: 

The successful candidate will regularly offer a variety of general education, upper-division and  lower division, in-person, hybrid, and online classes, including independent studies as needed  and will help build the department’s AIS major. They will design and sustain an active research agenda and a strong record of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) within the  discipline. In addition, they will engage in service and take on leadership positions within the  department, college, university, and the AIS discipline as appropriate.  

Application Material: 

• Cover letter (please address the above minimum and desired/preferred qualification) • Curriculum vitae
• Diversity statement
• Teaching statement (please include teaching philosophy that describes the role faculty play in student success);
• Syllabi for two courses taught in AIS or closely related filed, if available; • Copies of all transcripts that include relevant course work;
• Research statement
• Evidence of teaching success (please include: student evaluations/summaries (from two classes), peer observation summaries, etc.)
• Statement of contributions working within tribal communities
• Three confidential professional references

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,250 - $7,700 per month 

CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,925 - $12,594 per month 

A review of applications will begin on September 16, 2024; however, the position will be open  until filled. 

The University is particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with students  from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher  education for under-represented groups. 

CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one  of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in  Higher Education. Visit Faculty Opportunities for more information. 

California State University San Marcos is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer  strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider  qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender  or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical  condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation and  veteran or military status. 

Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is prohibited from  hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of  California is a condition of employment. 

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child  Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth  in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised December 22, 2020 as a condition of employment. 

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity  (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine  recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the  California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and  other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.  The systemwide CSU Vaccination Policy can be reviewed  at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/13116180/latest/. Questions should be sent to the  Office of Human Resources at [email protected]. 

This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, reference checks and  criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a  background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background  check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may  affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the  position. 

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery  Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification.