Assistant Professor of Creative Writing - Poetry

Warren Wilson College welcomes applicants for a faculty position in Creative Writing with a specialization in poetry. This is an Assistant Professor position in an extended contract system with a 24 credit teaching load (typically a 3-3 class load) beginning in August of 2027. On Warren Wilson's extended contract system, after an initial 3 year period of annual reviews, faculty receive extended-term contracts that provide for continuing appointment, and are linked to academic rank review and promotion.

We seek a broadly-trained creative writer with expertise in poetry, who is strongly committed to teaching and student-engaged research in an undergraduate liberal arts environment.

Position Description

We offer a Creative Writing major and minor with emphasis in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Our curriculum is research-focused and critically examines the cultural implications of craft. The Creative Writing program is housed in the Creative Arts department with Art and Music and offers interdisciplinary courses suitable for all artists in the department. The undergraduate Creative Writing program enjoys a close relationship with the renowned Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers, including an undergraduate course where students participate in an MFA residency and a yearly Writer-in-Residence drawn from the MFA faculty. In addition, we support a lively writing community by emphasizing literary citizenship in our courses, holding a reading series, and producing a literary journal.

All Creative Writing faculty teach broadly, with courses that include multi-genre classes and single-genre workshops. Faculty in this position would develop introductory and advanced courses in poetry that seek to expose students to the breadth of the genre; to a diverse group of writers and styles of texts; and to key issues, controversies, and critiques in the field. Responsibilities also include teaching our Literary Magazine History and Editing course in which students produce Peal, our literary magazine, and would also be expected to develop reading courses in their area of expertise aimed at diversifying our students’ exposure to contemporary literature. In addition, faculty have opportunities to teach study-away courses, intensive “lightning term” courses, and first-year seminars.

Responsibilities

• Teach 24 credit hours of undergraduate instruction per academic year.
• Provide academic and career advising to students.
• Contribute to the college’s General Education Program, as determined to be appropriate in consultation with the Department and Program Chairs.
• Provide service to the Department and the College.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, scholarly, and/or creative activity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D and/or MFA in Creative Writing (not Literature). ABD will be considered;
• Experience teaching creative writing at the college level, or equivalent;
• Demonstrated experience with advancing a learning environment that is conducive to all students. For instance, experience incorporating inclusive teaching modalities, course content, and subject matter experts, and working with diverse student populations;
• Evidence of high-quality creative publications, with a primary publication record in poetry;
• Experience with student-run literary magazines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of demonstrated teaching excellence at the undergraduate level;
• At least one full-length poetry book with a nationally recognized publisher;
• Ph.D and/or MFA with a focus in poetry.

About the College:

Warren Wilson College is located on a beautiful 1,135-acre campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. We enroll approximately 750 undergraduates and 100 graduates. Rooted in liberal arts education, the College provides educational programs that foster students’ curiosity, empathy, and integrity to prepare graduates to engage in groundbreaking scholarship and creative work; to pursue meaningful careers with professionalism; and to lead purposeful lives dedicated to fostering a just, equitable, and sustainable world.

As the National Leader for Learning in Action, our Progressive Promise articulates our innovative educational approach that intentionally integrates academics, campus work and community engagement for a rich, challenging student experience. Our students matriculate through deliberately scaffolded courses and signature capstone experiences that combine intellectual foundations with experiential skill development and problem solving.

Interested candidates should provide the following documents to complete their application:

• a curriculum vitae
• A cover letter that describes how the applicant’s teaching, research, and/or creative scholarly experience prepares the applicant to contribute to Warren Wilson’s experiential learning and a diverse student body in a residential work college setting

Additional materials may be requested of applicants whose candidacy advances.

First consideration will be given to candidates who apply by November 15, 2026. Electronic submission is required.

We are committed to a culture of educational access and to ensuring that all students and employees from a diverse range of identities and experiences will thrive in this community. We seek and support an engaged faculty and staff with a genuine interest in our innovative approach to education and the Progressive Promise for all, as well as a willingness to fully participate in the life of the College.

Warren Wilson College is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.