Bard Prison Initiative/Microcollege

The Harlem Chair for the Study of History and Culture

Apply Here: https://apply.interfolio.com/195208

The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) invites applications of distinguished scholars for an endowed, full-time faculty position, the Harlem Chair for the Study of History and Culture. This faculty member will be the professor-in-residence at the Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership, located in Harlem, New York. A Ph.D. in history, American studies, art history, anthropology, sociology, or a related field is expected. Strong candidates will have a combination of the following: a strong record of scholarly research and publication or artistic or literary production, a record of public facing intellectual work that is proximate to the Harlem community, and a record as distinguished teacher of diverse student populations in discussion-based seminars. This two-year position starts July 1, 2027 with teaching responsibilities beginning in the fall semester. Review of applications to begin January 8, 2027.

The Chair will teach across the NYC Microcollege network and provide academic advising to students in Harlem. They will teach a 2-2 courseload, including writing intensive courses and one or more courses specifically focused on Harlem’s extraordinary past and present.  Additional responsibilities include organizing and participating in public lectures, collaborating with staff on student and community engagement, and creating connections between the Microcollege and collections of local libraries, cultural institutions and other humanistic resources. Candidates with connections to Harlem community and community institutions are particularly encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates will be committed to innovative undergraduate teaching at a liberal arts college with a diverse student body; excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation and religion; maintain an active research program; and be excited by rigorous, discussion-heavy and writing-based courses that center inclusive pedagogy and demand active participation of all students.

Created in partnership with local institutions, the Bard Microcolleges serve communities often excluded from the university experience. Students enroll in full-time, in-person, seminar-style courses culminating in Bard College associate in arts degrees. Scholarships cover tuition and fees, and books are provided. The Bard Microcollege in Harlem is a partnership among JustLeadershipUSA, College & Community Fellowship, and the Bard Prison Initiative. A curriculum dedicated to advocacy, arts, and sciences provides the community leaders of tomorrow with a broad education that is classical and contemporary, artistic and practical, global and local.

Consideration will be given to candidates who bring considerable experience and expertise to the position but who cannot commit to a two-year or full-time position. In this situation, salary is prorated and benefits eligibility depends on teaching load.

About BPI:
Formed in 1999 to address the mass incarceration crisis, the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) defies expectations of who college is for and where it might lead. For over twenty years, BPI has reimagined and redefined questions of availability, affordability, and expectations typically associated with college in America. One of the most rigorous and effective college-in-prison programs in the country, BPI is now extending its radical intervention in educational inequity outside of prison through the Bard Microcolleges and BardBac. BPI currently enrolls nearly 600 students across eleven campuses.

To Apply:
To apply, please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, and the names of three references who might speak to your teaching and collegiality to Interfolio by following this link: https://apply.interfolio.com/195208. 

Compensation: $120,000
This salary range reflects the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Benefits Overview:
We are pleased to offer our full-time employees an excellent benefit package which includes multiple health insurance options; TIAA retirement plans; generous vacation, sick, and personal time; and more. To learn more about employee benefits and eligibility at Bard College, please visit https://www.bard.edu/humanresources/benefits/.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Bard is an equal-opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

AA/EOE