Assistant Professor of History

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of History with a specialization in Public History and a demonstrated emphasis in museum studies, to begin January 6, 2026.

We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar committed to undergraduate education, profession-based learning, and community engagement. The successful candidate will lead the university’s undergraduate minor in Public History and Museum Studies and will contribute to the department’s broader curriculum in history.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Teach a 4:4 course load, including introductory and upper-level courses, including graduate level courses, in U.S. history, public history, and the candidate’s area of historical specialization.
• Direct the undergraduate minor in Public History and Museum Studies.
• Supervise and mentor students in hands-on, project-based learning environments.
• Manage and oversee the university’s Public History Lab, including training students in the use of specialized equipment such as dry mount presses.
• Coordinate exhibitions in designated gallery spaces within the Humanities & Social Sciences building.
• Collaborate closely with the university archives and campus museums to support student learning opportunities and community access to these spaces.
• Build and sustain partnerships with regional cultural institutions, including museums, historical societies, and other heritage and tourism organizations.
• Maintain an active program of scholarship in public history and/or the candidate’s field of specialization.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service.
• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Ph.D. in History or related field (ABD considered with completion by May 2027).

Certification/License: N/A

Experience: Prior experience in classroom and online instruction in History

Skills: Demonstrated experience or training in public history, with a focus on museum practice; evidence of effective undergraduate teaching or strong potential for excellence in the classroom; commitment to student mentorship and profession-based learning.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position entails classroom and/or online instruction in General Education and upper division courses typically ranging from 15 to 60 students. Faculty maintain regular office hours within the department area to support students.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program coordinator for a growing Public History and Museum Studies program

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED

All classrooms are technology-enhanced (document stations, video equipment, wireless Internet access). Online courses are offered using Canvas, Northwest’s Learning Management System.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to meet essential pedagogical and classroom functions

APPLICATION MATERIALS

A complete application consists of

1. a letter describing your teaching experience and suitability for the position;
2. a current curriculum vitae;
3. transcripts; and
4. contact information, including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, for three references.

INQUIRIES FOR THE POSITION CAN BE MADE TO

Dr. Dawn Gilley, Discipline Lead

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Northwest Missouri State University

800 University Drive

Maryville, MO 64468

(660) 562-1839

dgilley@nwmissouri.edu

or

Dr. Jessica Gracey, School Chair

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Northwest Missouri State University

800 University Drive

Maryville, MO 64468

(660) 562-1290

jessicag@nwmissouri.edu

COMMUNITY

Northwest Missouri State University located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org .

UNIVERSITY

With an enrollment of more than 8,500 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online .

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their university experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 98 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data .

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.

Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School , National Public Radio affiliate KXCV , the R.T. Wright Farm , Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area , a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive , a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope , an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.

The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/ .