The Sociology and Criminal Justice Programs within the Department of Social Sciences at Averett University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Sociology and Criminal Justice at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin in August 2026. The Department offers bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Sociology/ Criminal Justice, and minors in Sociology and Criminal Justice.

The successful candidate will teach both introductory and upper level undergraduate courses in sociology and criminal justice. Specifically, they will contribute to the department’s required core offerings such as Introduction to Sociology, Criminology, and Research Methods, among other required and elective course offerings.

This tenure-track position is on site at Averett’s Main campus in Danville, Virginia.

Key Responsibilities

At Averett, the primary professional responsibilities for faculty include are: teaching, scholarship, and service to the University, profession and to the community.  Responsibilities include:

• Teaching as highest priority for all members of the faculty. Teaching encompasses classroom instruction, course preparation and design, curriculum development, and assessment. Full-time faculty at Averett provide the equivalent of 24 credit hours of instruction over the academic year. 
• Advising students, participation in department, university, and campus-wide committees, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participation in traditional academic functions.  
• Working with colleagues across the social sciences division through delivery of the general education curriculum.
• Connecting students to experiential learning, including high-impact practices (e.g., service learning, internships, undergraduate research, etc.).
• Commitment to the academic success of all students and to an environment that celebrates and respects diversity and differences.

Qualifications

Required:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, Criminology, or closely related field.
• Applicants with a master’s degree and with experience in teaching may be considered for appointment at the Instructor rank.
• A strong commitment to undergraduate teaching is expected.
• An ability to involve and mentor students in research and/or to provide them with experiential and service learning opportunities.
• Relevant practical/professional experience outside of academia may also factor into hiring decisions.

Submit Letter of Interest, Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), Teaching Philosophy, and Unofficial Transcripts. Letters of Reference will be requested at a later time.  

Dr. Marc Muneal
Division Chair, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Averett University
420 West Main Street
Danville, VA 24541 

Email address: [email protected] 

Please note:

• Background checks are required for all positions.
• An applicant must have an unrestricted right to work in the U.S.
• Averett University’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, published in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, can be found at https://www.averett.edu/clery.
• Averett University’s policies, programs and activities, including hiring practices, comply with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression and veteran status. Inquiries related to the University’s compliance with Title IX should be directed to Averett’s Title IX Coordinator at [email protected]. Additional contact information, reporting options, and the University’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy can be found at https://www.averett.edu/about-us/title-ix/. Inquiries may be made externally to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights: https://www.ed.gov/ocr.
• Averett University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.