AY 2025-2026 – University Studies New Adjunct Faculty Pool

Proposed Start Date 09/16/2025

Working Title AY 2025-2026 – University Studies New Adjunct Faculty Pool

Department 222700 – UGE Univ Studies-General Ed

position Number D97734

Representation AP – AFT, Local 3571

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

University Studies (UNST) is the award winning, nationally-recognized, integrated, interdisciplinary general education program for Portland State University. UNST is guided by its vision, “challenging us to think holistically, care deeply, and engage courageously in imagining and co-creating a just world.” To that end, the program emphasizes reflective practice and student-centered learning in a caring community. University Studies collaborates widely across academic units at Portland State University, working with 40 academic departments and programs to deliver over 300 UNST-specific courses per term.

The program consists of four levels each with its own organizational structure: Freshman Inquiry, Sophomore Inquiry, Junior Clusters, and Senior Capstones.

Portland State’s 49-acre downtown campus is located in the heart of one of America’s most vibrant centers of culture, business and technology. We are recognized throughout the world for programs like Urban Planning, Social Work, and Environmental Studies that directly engage the community, and aim our students towards the creation of a better, more sustainable world.

Position Summary

University Studies Program collects new applications throughout the academic year to fill vacancies. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.

University Studies faculty model intellectual passion and curiosity because they believe in the fundamental aspiration of higher education to prepare people to improve the world.

Our faculty are inclusive, interdisciplinary, and practice inquiry-based pedagogy that:

• provokes students to build self-efficacy through relational learning across difference
• encourages a community of educators to practice engaged teaching for transformative learning
• advances civic engagement, reflective practice, and the scholarship of teaching and learning

Learn more about University Studies at: https://www.pdx.edu/university-studies/about-unst

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

Terminal Degree.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
• Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Required Professional Standards of Conduct

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at www.pdx.edu/hr/professional-standards-conduct.

Compensation Adjuncts are paid per credit hour, and are hired on either a per term or an academic year basis, per the PSUFA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Additional Information

Details about compensation and other components of the Portland State University Faculty Association Union (PSUFA) can be found at:

https://www.pdx.edu/academic-affairs/portland-state-university-faculty-association-psufa

Returning UNST Adjunct Faculty should contact University Studies for Application instructions.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No

Background Check Required Yes

Posting Close Date

Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified

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