Visiting Assistant Professor - Engineering or Physics

Position Summary:

Adams State University is a state-supported, regional comprehensive university located in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado and the city of Alamosa. As the state’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), over 50 percent of its undergraduate students represent racially diverse backgrounds. A high percentage of undergraduate students are first-generation and Pell eligible. The university offers undergraduate programs in the arts and humanities, physical and natural sciences, social sciences, kinesiology, fine arts, business, and nursing, and specializes in educator preparation in several disciplines. Adams State also offers graduate degrees in cultural resource management, public administration, music education, kinesiology, higher education administration and leadership, history, business (MBA), and educator programs, including counselor education; the university also has a doctoral (PhD) program in counselor education. The university has an active athletic program. The Adams State Grizzlies athletic teams compete under the auspices of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

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.

Position Summary

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science invites applications for a one-semester visiting faculty position in engineering or physics. We are seeking energetic and enthusiastic individuals who love teaching and share our dedication to excellence in undergraduate education. The successful applicant will join a close-knit program and school that offers bachelor’s degrees across a broad spectrum of disciplines in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. Responsibilities include teaching introductory engineering and/or physics courses and other duties as assigned by the department chair or school director. While we are primarily an institution focused on teaching excellence and the teaching load for this position is comprised of 12 credit-hours for the spring semester. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with diverse faculty, staff, and students within the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and across campus.

Candidates should demonstrate that they possess a commitment to student-centered instruction and articulate a plan for maintaining currency in engineering.

Start Date: January 12, 2026

Mission Of The Department

The School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) prepares students to be scholars and professionals in their discipline by fostering scientific inquiry and critical thinking that promotes lifelong learning and problem-solving skills.

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

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, or physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrates commitment to undergraduate teaching and student-centered learning
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering or closely related field
• Substantial and relevant industry experience
• Experience teaching at the undergraduate level
• Experience using a variety of delivery methods for teaching
• Ability and interest in teaching introductory physics courses
• Ability or experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations, and first-generation college students.
• 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.

Salary And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $34,152 to $36,288 (Spring Semester) commensurate with experience and education. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits package 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, graduate transcripts (Copies accepted. Official transcripts required upon hire), and three references.

Completed applications should include the following:

• A detailed cover letter of application addressing teaching interest/experience as well as how professional interests and goals align with Adams vision and values.
• Teaching Statement: (include sample course syllabi) in addition to describing your approach to teaching in general, please address the following questions:
• Unofficial photocopies of graduate transcripts. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.
• References: name, job title, and contact information (email, phone).
• What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized in Engineering?
• What role should faculty play in student success?

All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State University’s Workday application portal.

Questions about the position may be directed to Matt Nehring (matt.nehring@adams.edu or 719-587-7504)

Review of completed applications will begin on October 10, 2025 and continue until closed

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, Director Ana Guevara, 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.