Faculty Position: English

Posted 10/31/2025

Full-Time

Position

John Brown University seeks a full-time faculty member in the English program with expertise in American literature and a strong commitment to teaching first-year core writing courses. Teaching responsibilities include first-year composition, literary analysis and research, and integrated humanities. The ideal candidate will bring a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and the integration of Christian faith and learning. Responsibilities also include, but are not limited to undergraduate advising; university committee work; publishing; and teaching major courses in the English program.

English Program

Currently, there are 35 English and English-Education majors in the Humanities Department at John Brown University. The English program also offers minors in English, Creative Writing, TESOL, and Journalism. For more information on English, click here. The English major is housed in the Humanities department, which promotes the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional development of JBU students as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. The department develops well-rounded, thoughtful people who are prepared to take their places in the world and who realize their potential as salt and light.

Institution

John Brown University’s mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Founded in 1919, JBU is a Christ-centered, Biblically-faithful, interdenominational university that represents the best of Protestant evangelicalism in our commitment to the following theological principles: the fundamental human need for conversion and lifelong discipleship; the centrality of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the redemption of human beings; high regard for, and obedience to, the Bible as our authority; and active involvement in a local church, in missions and in ministries that work for Biblical justice and serve people in need. At JBU, we seek to integrate faith and learning, foster holistic Christian formation, promote pragmatic liberal arts education, and prepare people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life. All employees must affirm JBU’s Employee Expectations and Articles of Faith.

With more than 2,250 students from 37 states and 42 countries, JBU offers approximately 50 undergraduate programs, seven fully online bachelor’s degrees, and 12 graduate degrees in business, education, cybersecurity, and counseling. JBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds program-specific accreditations from various agencies.” More information is available at jbu.edu/accreditation.

JBU has benefited from stable and excellent leadership throughout the organization. President Chip Pollard started in 2004 and has led the organization in consistently meeting enrollment goals, completing two capital campaigns and launching a third, completing two strategic plans and launching a third, 17 major building projects, encouraging efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty, staff, and students, and navigating the educational and financial challenges of the pandemic successfully. He served on the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) board for thirteen years and as chair for five years. Most of the president’s cabinet has served for over 20 years, and all cabinet members have held volunteer leadership positions in the CCCU, ACSD, CIC, NACUBO, and other higher education associations. JBU’s board of trustees are people of deep Christian faith, generous spirit, and professional expertise, with an average length of service of 11 years. They are deeply committed to maintaining JBU’s mission to educate students to honor God and serve others.

JBU has experienced a season of God’s favor and blessing, for which we are grateful. In the last 20 years, JBU has received over $300 million in gifts and grants and has built or renovated over 90% of the university’s facilities. JBU has only about $4 million of debt on over $220 million of assets. During that same time, JBU’s endowment has grown from about $50 million to over $150 million, much of it dedicated to scholarships and academic programs and to support maintenance costs for new facilities. This financial strength has enabled JBU to retain excellent faculty and staff with consistent compensation increases and funds for faculty and staff development. JBU has not been not immune to the economic and cultural challenges facing higher education, but it is positioned better than many institutions to respond.

JBU has received national recognition from many national newspapers and industry journals. For instance, in eight out of the last nine years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has named JBU on its “high honor roll” in its “Great Place to Work” survey. The Wall Street Journal has named JBU to its Best Colleges list since 2019, ranking us the top private school in Arkansas (2020) and top Arkansas university overall (2022, 2024). We are typically in the top 10% in our category (master’s level universities in the South) in U.S. News and World Report rankings.

JBU is located in Northwest Arkansas, a region predicted to have the third fastest job growth rate in the country behind only Austin, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. Three of the largest corporations in the world are located here—Walmart, Tyson Foods, and JB Hunt—and there is a growing technology, entrepreneurial, and art business ecosystem in the region. The quality of life is enhanced with a world-class art museum, Crystal Bridges, 25 miles from campus, over 400 miles of mountain biking trails, several state and national historic sites, parks, and large lakes, and a new $33 million whitewater rafting park just five miles south of campus. Siloam Springs has approximately 18,350 people with affordable housing and good private and public schools.

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in English or a closely related field
• A committed follower of Jesus Christ
• Ability and strong desire to teach undergraduate courses, specifically first-year composition, integrated humanities, and/or introduction to college writing.
• Ability to contribute to the mission and vision of the institution in the department and more broadly at the institution
• A commitment to the integration of Christian faith and learning
• A commitment to supporting and collaborating with students, faculty and staff from varied academic and cultural backgrounds
• A commitment to faculty and student scholarship

Preferred Qualifications

• A terminal degree in English or a closely related field
• Experience teaching undergraduate courses, especially underprepared or general education students
• Evidence of successfully teaching, mentoring or working with people who have different perspectives, life experiences and cultural expressions
• Experience teaching non-Western literature

Important Dates

Position begins July 1, 2026. The screening process begins December 15, 2025 and continues until the position is filled.

Salary

A competitive salary exists, which will be commensurate with training and/or experience. In addition, JBU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 403(b) retirement plan, medical and dental insurance, tuition remission, leave related to the birth of a child, adoption leave, and moving expenses.

Important Dates

Position begins July 1, 2026. Screening process begins December 1, 2025 and continues until the position is filled.

More information about JBU

A summary describing the university is available online.

Physical demands and work environment

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk; stand; sit; use hands; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

Applications

Please upload the following documents to the "Upload Your Documents" page:

• Letter of Interest
• Your resume or CV
• Faculty application (completed and signed)
• Statement of Christian Commitment - regarding your relationship with Jesus Christ and your Christian Commitment (integration of faith and learning) related to your teaching, scholarship and/or service. (Please Note: This is not the same as answering the faith questions on the application, although there may be some overlap. The search committee will be expecting to see a separate document regarding the integration of faith and learning related to your teaching, scholarship and/or service.)

The employee is expected to adhere to all University policies.

Contact Information:
Office of Human Resources
John Brown University
2000 West University Street
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Phone: 479.524.7197
e-mail: jobs@jbu.edu