Adjunct- Instructor for First Year Programs

Eastern University seeks dedicated adjunct instructors to guide first-year students through their transition to college. Instructors will play a pivotal role in mentoring students, facilitating their academic and personal development, and connecting them to campus resources. This is an on-ground adjunct position at the Eastern University’s Saint David’s Campus and includes the instruction of one on-ground course and academic advising responsibilities. Instructors receive an additional stipend in the fall and spring semesters for advising on top of their base adjunct pay during the Fall semester.

• Completion of INST-149 and FDC 100 Trainings: Before the semester begins, all instructors must complete INST-149, an asynchronous training module covering best practices in advising, campus resources, foundation in Eastern’s mission, and first-year experience strategies, as well as FDC 100 to familiarize themselves with D2L Brightspace.
• Instruct a 3-credit section of INST-150, Eastern’s first-year experience (FYE) course, delivering pre-built course content focused on critical thinking, faith, justice, reason, career readiness, and campus connections.
• Meet with students during conference weeks in the fall and before registration in the spring (via in-person or Zoom meetings).
• Assist students with add/drop, withdrawal, course and major planning, and major declaration while providing general guidance through their first year.
• Direct students to appropriate campus resources, such as the Center for Career Development, Academic Resource Center (ARC), and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
• Communicate with assigned INST-150 Teaching Assistants (TAs) regarding student well-being or accommodations.
• Submit an advising check-in form each semester to the First-Year Team, ensuring timely intervention for struggling students (submission of this form is required for additional advising stipend compensation).
• Serve as an advocate and mentor, helping students navigate academic and social-emotional challenges.
• Participate in key First-Year Programming events, such as Faculty Firesides and Service Learning Kick-off.
• Customize course syllabi while maintaining core curriculum standards.
• Respond to student emails within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on weekends/holidays.
• Seek guidance from the First-Year Team when student questions extend beyond the instructor’s knowledge.
• Masters degree.
• Experience in teaching, academic advising, mentoring, or student support at the college level preferred.
• Strong commitment to student success and familiarity with first-year student challenges, especially in a community of diverse and first-generation learners.
• Willingness to engage with students both in and outside the classroom, fostering a sense of community and support.
• Adept at fostering respectful, open dialogue on topics related to social justice, faith experiences, and inclusive community.
• Preference will also be given to those who apply who have an existing EU connection (such as alumni and former/current faculty and staff) who understand Eastern’s core mission and ecumenical culture.
• Must sign and affirm Eastern University’s doctrinal statement; must submit a statement of faith as per University faculty requirements.
  
  

Timeline & Commitment: INST-150 Professors mentor students throughout their entire first year (August–May), including potential advising support during move-in periods (e.g., early January). Students transition to their program-specific academic advisor following the completion of their first year.