The posting
Position Summary:
We are seeking a Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Work to lead the design and launch of our first Master of Social Work (MSW) program and serve as the inaugural MSW Program Director. This individual will play a critical role in addressing the behavioral health needs of our region by training the next generation of social workers to thrive in rural settings.
In the first 6 months - 1 year, the Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Work will focus solely on the development of the new MSW program and preparation for accreditation reviews with HLC and CSWE. The new online MSW program will directly improve the health and well-being of a rural region and will be tailored for working professionals in remote areas. The degree will focus on rural social work and collaborate with institutional and community partners.
Position Start: Fall 2026
The Visiting Assistant Professor is anticipated to begin teaching classes in the Department of Sociology in 2027.
Key responsibilities for this position include:
- Curriculum Development: Lead a cross-functional team to co-create a curriculum for an MSW program that is aligned with the 2022 CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
- Accreditation Leadership: Direct the multi-year CSWE accreditation process, including the preparation of benchmark documents and ensuring compliance with all core competencies.
- Field Education Design: Establish a robust field education program, including the development of a field manual and securing affiliation agreements with agencies to provide the required hours of student practice.
- Strategic Growth: Develop a hiring plan for future MSW faculty and lead student recruitment and admissions processes.
- Community Engagement: Build strong professional relationships with local healthcare providers and human service organizations to ensure the program meets regional workforce needs.
- Teaching and Advising in the MSW and/or the Department of Sociology (Anticipated to begin these roles in 2027)
Mission of the Department
The mission of the Department of Sociology is to provide a program that encourages our students to develop intellectually, professionally, and socially. We strive to provide a curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, and robust for the growing and changing needs of our community, nation, and global world. The faculty teach our students the research, interpretative and critical skills necessary to understand and analyze social phenomena, as well as foster a lifelong commitment to be a responsive member in their community. We offer our students direct opportunities to apply sociological knowledge and skills through an internship at various agencies and/or non-profit organizations. Upon completion of a B.A. in Sociology, our students will leave our program with hands-on, marketable skills and experiences that prepares them for a variety of career paths and/or graduate school.
We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies.
Minimum Qualifications
- A Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution
- Has demonstrated leadership ability through teaching, scholarship, curriculum development, administrative experience, and other academic and professional activities in the field of social work.
- A minimum of two years of professional experience in social work settings
- At least two years of previous experience working at a university in a teaching or leadership capacity
- A strong focus on teaching
- Demonstrates knowledge of, sensitivity to, and ability to work effectively with, the educational needs of individuals and groups with a diverse range of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities
- Evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural diversity of Adams State University’s student population, including students with different abilities (e.g. physical and or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded, inclusive practices within the classroom
- Demonstrated commitment to honesty, efficacy, and collaboration.
Preferred Qualifications
- Holds a Doctorate degree as either a DSW or a closely related field
- Be a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
- Deep knowledge of CSWE accreditation standards
- Experience launching a new MSW program
- An understanding of unique challenges/opportunities of social work in rural communities
- At least two years of professional experience in a social work settings
- Ability or experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations, and first-generation college students.
- Ability or experience in the recruitment and/or retention of underrepresented students, including students of color.
- Commitment to professional development, scholarship, and service to the university and community.
- Demonstrated self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation towards teaching.
- Demonstrated decision-making that is informed by research, data, and theory and that leverages students' unique cultures, experiences, and background as strengths.
Location: On-site in Alamosa, CO
Salary and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $51,217 - $64,021 commensurate with experience and education. This is a 9-month contract paid over 12 months. Teaching and Director duties during the summer will result in additional compensation. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit https://www.adams.edu/hr/benefits/ Opportunities for supplemental contracts may be available.
Required Documents Cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, informed response, graduate transcripts, and three references.
Completed applications should include the following:
- Curriculum Vitae
- A detailed cover letter of application addressing teaching interest and experience as well as how professional interests and goals align with Adams vision and values. We encourage applicants to discuss their experience with accreditation standards and processes and/or new program development. We encourage applicants to discuss their commitment to scholarly and/or creative excellence. Additionally, we seek to learn how scholarly excellence is interwoven with their approach to service, teaching, mentoring, and affirming diverse perspectives.
- Teaching Statement: (include sample course syllabi) in addition to describing your approach to teaching in general, please address the following questions: What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized in (enter discipline)? What role should faculty play in student success?
- Informed Response regarding Adam State’s Commitment to People, Place and Perspective. People: An understanding of, and commitment to, the people who study, work, lead and help or have helped shape our university. Place: An understanding of our university's geographical and historical context within the San Luis Valley region and commitment to the unique opportunities and responsibilities that come with being part of this place. Perspective: An understanding of the intersecting perspectives that define our university’s resilience, grit, strength, and innovation from being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university and commitment to intentionally supporting individuals who possess these characteristics. Please address the following: Your understanding of Adams State’s history, the people who occupy it, and the place in which it is located and how you will contribute to our unique university environment. Articulate how your understanding of our location in the San Luis Valley, with its unique challenges, and its realities, such as scarce resources, rurality, the land and geography, and current and historical occupants will be manifested in your approach to teaching, research, and service. Share your understanding of the unique characteristics that make up our university such as First-Generation, Low-Income, Hispanic Serving, and being a rural anchor university, and how those perspectives influence your role as a faculty member. Please give specific examples from your experiences in the classroom, or in your teaching and mentoring experience(s), or other relevant experiences from your life that inform your perspective(s).
- Unofficial Graduate Transcripts - Official transcripts required upon hire.
- References: name, job title, and contact information (email, phone).
Application deadline has been extended to 9/30/2026. Review of applications will begin immediately.
The position will remain open until filled. Applications received after the priority deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.
Please address inquiries to Dr. Stephanie Hilwig, search committee chair: [email protected].
Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.
We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.
We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.
The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.
Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.
We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.
We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.
The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.
Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics/
Disclosures:
In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.
Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/. These procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.
Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.
