Assistant Professor, Native American Studies

Department

About the University

Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) was founded to serve students who were underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences did not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado’s extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today’s college students.

Proud of its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado, the University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values: Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff. 

About the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

The College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at the University, housing nineteen academic departments, five centers and institutes, and numerous programs focused on community service, social justice, and global discovery. The College embraces and celebrates the diverse, intersectional identities of our students, faculty, and staff and works to create a community where all members can thrive through belonging, expression, and positive influence in shaping one other. 

Position Summary

The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at MSU Denver invites candidates to apply for a tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position with scholarly and community engagement expertise in Native American Studies. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the discipline, the faculty member may be housed in Departments of Political Science, History, Anthropology, Sociology, or other closely related disciplines within CLAS.

Responsibilities

Tenure-track faculty are expected to teach a total of 24-units each year (equivalent of a 4:4 load). It is anticipated that the candidate will be eligible for reassigned time from instruction with work in support of MSU Denver’s Native-Indigenous Student Support Initiatives and a revitalization of the Native American Studies minor. Additional summer outreach and educational work related to Native American initiatives may also be available with additional compensation. As with all faculty, course assignments and specific job duties will be determined based on student need, faculty expertise, and the needs of the department and/or program.

The selected candidate will:

• Teach Native American topics within their respective discipline, maintain a scholarly portfolio of works that align with requirement in their departmental guidelines, and provide service to the department, college, and university.
• Support and promote interdisciplinary research and teaching in Native American Studies. Facilitate faculty development, grant writing, and scholarly collaborations, when appropriate and applicable.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for a partnership with MSU Denver’s Native-Indigenous Student Support Initiatives that align with the university’s mission and priorities, including expanding academic programs, research initiatives, and public outreach.
• Build and maintain respectful, reciprocal relationships with Native American tribes, nations, and organizations. Collaborate with campus partners to organize events, conferences, and programs that engage both campus and community audiences. Indigenous heritage or lived experience within Native communities is valued.
• Collaborate with university offices to support Native American students, including recruitment, retention, mentorship, and cultural programming.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in Native American Studies, Indigenous Studies or Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, History, or a related field with Native American or Indigenous Studies as a focus within their discipline
• Demonstrated record of scholarship and leadership in Native American or Indigenous Studies
• Experience working collaboratively with Native American communities
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and Indigenous sovereignty
• Strong administrative, organizational, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of tribal governance, law, education, or cultural preservation
• Familiarity with federal and state policies affecting Native American communities
• Experience in academic program development and grant administration

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are most interested in finding the candidate who will best contribute to the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and the University.

Salary for Announcement

The salary range for this faculty position is $61,000 - $66,000 at Assistant Professor rank. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, education, experience, discipline, specialty, and training.

MSU Denver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, free RTD pass, and more. For a brief overview of these options, please visit our Benefits section.

Instructions to Apply

To apply, complete an application online through our career site, https://msudenver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/MSUDenver and search for JR105069.

To support a thorough evaluation of your qualifications and potential contributions as a faculty member, please upload the following required materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of Interest/cover letter that includes evidence of required and preferred qualifications
• Teaching philosophy (2 pages max). Please detail your interest and prior experience with teaching diverse adult learners. Describe three values that guide your teaching practices, focusing on engagement with diverse students and how you will foster an inclusive classroom environment that removes barriers and promotes equitable access and advancement. Include examples from past experiences teaching and/or mentoring students 

• A list of three references and their contact information

References will not be contacted until later in the search process and only with the candidate’s permission.

Important Note: Due to volume of applications received, only applications completed as outlined above will be considered. Please ensure you have uploaded all required documents into the Resume/Cover letter section of the application. A maximum of 5 files can be uploaded; you may combine all documents into one pdf file if needed.

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Deadline

Priority will be given to applications received through Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST; applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting Representative

Posting Representative Email

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.   

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf. 

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Background Checks

Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors.  To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.