WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applicants for the visiting assistant professor position of Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Readiness, beginning no later than the 2024-2025 academic year.  This is a twelve-month, non-tenure track position with the opportunity for ongoing renewal of contract.

The Assistant Director will teach in a comprehensive academic enrichment program for law students, supervise student academic fellows, provide a full range of academic enrichment services, implement the bar passage program, and build relationships with law student organizations. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will also teach selected complementary courses as assigned.  Prior experience teaching in a student success or bar exam support program is preferred but not required.  The selected candidate will also have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing teaching excellence, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage students from diverse backgrounds.

Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of over 5,550 undergraduate, graduate, and law students, a significant and growing number of whom are first generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn University School of Law moved into its new, state-of-the-art building in July 2023.  The building features classrooms equipped with up-to-date recording technology, including closed captioning; a green room recording studio; and beautiful trial and appellate courtrooms.

The Washburn campus is located in the heart of Topeka, Kansas, blocks from the historic state capitol. Topeka features affordable housing; beautiful, historic neighborhoods with well-maintained parks; and a nationally recognized public library. It is also the home of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a vibrant and inclusive working environment and curriculum. We offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, supportive leadership team, and a healthy work/life balance. We strive to ensure a campus climate that supports the success of every employee and appreciates the unique skills and expertise each contributes to serving our students.

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school or an unaccredited law school with licensure through bar passage.
• Demonstrated interest in working in academic enrichment and bar passage.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage students from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to institutional service, whether university or practice related.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience teaching in an academic enrichment or bar passage program.
• Training or experience appropriate to teach complementary courses.

Responsibilities:

• The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling teaching expectations associated with a visiting assistant professor appointment.  They will teach in the academic enrichment and bar passage program and other courses as assigned.
• The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling service expectations as assigned.

Application Procedures:

• Review of applications will begin on February 23, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. (All faculty appointments are contingent upon funding.)
• Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and the names/addresses/phone numbers of three professional references through the Washburn University job portal at https://careers.washburn.edu/jobs/10083f28-3ed2-4500-94c9-5f925f50a722.
• If you have questions about the position, please contact Professor Michelle Ewert, Chair, Faculty Recruitment Committee, at michelle.ewert@washburn.edu or Professor Chelsea Baldwin, Interim Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Pass Programs, at chelsea.baldwin@washburn.edu.
• The successful candidate will be required to submit to a background check prior to hire.
• Official transcripts are required once hired.

Washburn is an EOE and is dedicated to providing a student-centered and teaching- focused academic and work environment. We seek candidates who are committed to Washburn’s efforts to create a campus climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented and/or marginalized in higher education.

Washburn University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.