Military History Faculty Position

Posted Tuesday, August 16, 2022

George J. Collins, Sr., Chair in Military History

And

Director, John A. Adams ’71 Center for Military History and Strategic Analysis

Virginia Military Institute’s Department of History seeks a tenure-track associate professor for the George J. Collins Chair in Military History. Responsibilities include:

Teaching: Two courses per semester including small seminars (capped at 12 cadets) in various military history topics and a regular two-semester sequence:  U.S. Military History To 1919 and U.S. Military History Since 1919 (with enrollment capped at 22 cadets.)

Scholarship:  The Collins Chair is especially well suited for a rising mid-career scholar with an ongoing record of research and publication in military history specializing in the era since 1939.   

Service:  The primary service obligation—and reason for a reduced teaching load from 3/3 to 2/2—is directing the John A. Adams ’71 Center for Military History and Strategic Analysis, founded in 2003 to promote innovation in military history and strategic studies of the Cold War era.  The annual six-figure operating budget supports conferences, a Cold War oral history project, faculty research, sponsorship of competitions for outstanding articles and dissertations in military history, and other initiatives consistent with the center’s mission. The department and the Center’s advisory board anticipate that the successful candidate will continue such activities while pursuing the goal of making the Center a recognized national resource for Cold War history. The position requires service to the Institute and department and support for The Journal of Military History in addition to the duties enumerated above—the successful candidate will also be expected to embrace substantiative engagement with cadets beyond the classroom, including academic advising.

Applicants must have an earned doctorate in history and possess significant teaching experience in military history at the college level. The most attractive applicants will possess significant administrative experience—preferably in an academic context—including familiarity with strategic planning, programmatic deployment, collaborative engagement, and personnel management.

About VMI:  VMI is a public, four–year, undergraduate military college of approximately 1,700 students, about half of whom accept commissions as officers in the armed forces upon graduation. Teaching excellence in a liberal arts setting is our first priority.  Faculty members wear uniforms and adhere to military customs, but military experience among the faculty is neither required nor expected. For more information about VMI and the Department of History, please visit our web site at https://www.vmi.edu/academics/departments/history/

Applicants must complete an online state application and submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and an unofficial transcript of all graduate course work on-line at: Military History Faculty Position- Job Application

In addition to the materials submitted online through this website, applicants should have three letters of recommendation (including comments on teaching) submitted via InterFolio Dossier or sent via email to shaferdp@vmi.edu.  Samples of scholarship not available in JSTOR may be sent as scanned documents via email to shaferdp@vmi.edu.  Please do not mail hard copies of letters of interest, curricula vitae, application forms, or any other application material directly to the department.

Applications will be accepted until close of business, October 14, 2022.

In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal education and employment opportunities, VMI encourages women, minorities, disabled individuals, and veterans to apply. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are also encouraged to apply. VMI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. VMI will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with documented disabilities to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to employment, educational opportunities, programs and services.