Assistant Professor of American Sign Language

Department: Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with experience

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, times variable dependent on class schedule

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures (MCLL) at Wichita State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of American Sign Language (ASL), beginning August 2026. We seek candidates with a doctoral degree in American Sign Language or a terminal degree in a closely related field, with a strong commitment to both research and teaching in ASL. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a robust research agenda and the potential to contribute meaningfully to the research culture of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

The Department of MCLL at Wichita State offers three language majors (French, Spanish, and American Sign Language), five language minors (French, Spanish, American Sign Language, Japanese, and German), as well as a master's program in Spanish. The department also offers classes in Latin, Arabic, Chinese, and Italian. The ASL division has a full-time director and eight current adjunct instructors.

MCLL offers a broad variety of collaboration opportunities -research interests of current faculty members include language access rights, health care interpretation, cultural studies, and linguistics. Wichita State University encourages interdepartmental collaboration as well.

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

• Collaborate with other ASL faculty on assessment, course and program development, etc.
• Perform outreach to the Deaf community.
• Provide service to the ASL related professions at the department / college / university levels.
• Ability to establish an active research program.
• Provide mentoring to ASL students.
• The successful candidate will provide service to the department and is also expected to play an active role in the WSU community as well as the deaf community and the greater Wichita area.

Required Education and Experience:

• Terminal degree in direct field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• Doctoral degree in American Sign Language or related field by start date.
• Fluency in American Sign Language as demonstrated by test scores or credentials such as but not limited to: ASLPI score of 4 or higher, SLPI rating of Advanced Plus or higher, BEI Advanced Certification, RID certification (NIC or CDI).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Effective written communication skills.
  Ability to develop a productive research program.
  Ability to collaborate with diverse academic and non-academic groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interdisciplinary/industry collaboration experience as demonstrated by professional credentials in an ASL profession (either state or national level): (e.g. interpreter certification/licensure, Deaf Educator certification/licensure, ASL instructor certification/licensure).
• Teaching effectiveness and/or research productivity.

Additional Information:

To be considered for this position, please complete the faculty profile including the names and contact information for three (3) references and be prepared to upload the following documents:

(1) Curriculum Vitae
(2) Cover Letter
(3) Statement of Research and Sample Writing (in one document)
(4) Statement of Teaching Philosophy (include teaching evaluations).

Letter of recommendations will be requested later in the process to candidates who advance to the final stages of interviews

Screening of applications will begin December 15, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications submitted by December 15th.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position - Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators - Frequent 60-90%