Assistant Professor of Practice

Assistant Professor of Practice or Assistant Professor, Wine Studies

School of Business - Wine Studies Program

Linfield University | McMinnville, Oregon

Position: Full-time Faculty, Tenure-Track or Professor of Practice

Rank: Assistant Professor or Assistant Professor of Practice

Starting Date: January 1, 2027

Location: McMinnville Campus

Position Summary

Linfield University invites applications for a full-time faculty position in Wine Studies within the School of Business. The appointment will be made at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) or Assistant Professor of Practice, depending on the successful candidate's academic preparation and professional experience.

Located in the heart of Oregon's renowned Willamette Valley wine country, Linfield offers the nation's only undergraduate liberal arts degree in wine studies. This position provides an exceptional opportunity for an educator and wine industry professional to contribute to a distinctive interdisciplinary program that combines academic study, experiential learning, and meaningful connections with the wine industry.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate Wine Studies courses at introductory and advanced levels, with the potential to contribute to graduate-level instruction. We seek a collaborative faculty member who is committed to excellent teaching, student mentorship, scholarly and professional engagement, and strengthening connections between the Wine Studies program and related academic disciplines.

Primary Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Teach entry-level and upper-division Wine Studies courses and potentially master's-level courses, as well as other courses determined in consultation with the department chair.
• Develop and maintain a record of scholarly and/or professional achievement appropriate to the faculty appointment.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate students and support their academic, professional, and career development.
• Participate in department, School of Business, and university service.
• Collaborate with faculty and colleagues in related academic programs to strengthen interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
• Contribute to the continued development and visibility of Linfield's Wine Studies program.
• Support an inclusive learning environment that promotes student success and encourages students to connect academic learning with professional practice.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must possess:

• One of the following:

• A doctorate in business, hospitality, sales, or a closely related field; or

• A master's degree in business or a closely related field; or

• A master's degree combined with a minimum of five years of relevant professional wine industry experience.

• Relevant professional experience in the wine industry.

• Evidence of excellence in teaching.

• Demonstrated potential for success in scholarly and/or professional achievement and institutional service.

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and industry partners in a small-university environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate:

• Undergraduate teaching experience.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students, including first-generation college students.
• Significant and relevant professional wine industry experience.
• An interest in experiential and interdisciplinary education.
• The ability to develop meaningful connections between classroom learning and contemporary wine industry practices.

About the School of Business and Wine Studies

Linfield's School of Business prepares students to become thoughtful, adaptable, and responsible professionals through a combination of rigorous academic study and experiential learning. In addition to Wine Studies and Wine Business, students pursue programs in areas including accounting, finance, international business, management, marketing, and sport management.

The School of Business is guided by strategic priorities at both the school and university levels and benefits from engagement with alumni, industry professionals, and business partners through its Business Advisory Council.

Linfield's location in McMinnville, at the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley wine region, creates distinctive opportunities for Wine Studies students and faculty to engage directly with wineries, vineyards, industry organizations, entrepreneurs, and professionals. These relationships complement Linfield's liberal arts tradition and provide students with opportunities to connect theory, practice, and professional experience.

About Linfield University

Established in 1858, Linfield University is an independent, comprehensive institution of higher education known for outstanding teaching, close faculty-student relationships, international study, experiential education, and strong professional programs.

Linfield serves approximately 1,800 students through its residential campus in McMinnville, its nursing program in Portland, and online and continuing education programs. The university offers more than 50 majors and combines the breadth of a liberal arts education with opportunities for professional preparation, research, internships, and hands-on learning.

Experiential education is central to the Linfield experience. Students have opportunities to study abroad, participate in a one-month January Term for intensive study, conduct research alongside faculty, and pursue internships across a variety of disciplines. Approximately half of Linfield graduates study outside the United States, and the university pays round-trip airfare for each student's first Linfield study abroad experience.

Linfield is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has been recognized for student outcomes, value, and social mobility.

Our Community

The McMinnville campus encompasses 189 park-like acres just south of the city's historic downtown. Situated in the Willamette Valley, McMinnville is surrounded by one of the country's premier wine-producing regions and offers a vibrant food, arts, and cultural community.

McMinnville is approximately 35 miles southwest of Portland and about an hour from the Oregon Coast. The region provides easy access to hiking, cycling, skiing, water recreation, and many of the Pacific Northwest's outstanding natural areas.

Linfield employees also have opportunities to participate in community engagement, service projects, cultural programs, lectures, athletic events, and other activities that contribute to a vibrant university community.

We Value Diversity

Linfield University strives to create an environment that honors academic freedom, celebrates diverse cultures, fosters mutual respect, and affirms the value of all people. We believe a diverse and vibrant university community contributes to academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking.

We welcome applicants who bring diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective, and thought. Candidates are encouraged to describe how their professional and lived experiences, scholarship, teaching, mentorship, and/or service will contribute to Linfield's efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive learning community.

Application Procedures

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit materials by the priority screening date.

Please complete Linfield University's online application and submit:

• Cover letter addressing your interest in the position and relevant qualifications.
• Resume or curriculum vitae.
• Names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.

Candidates selected to advance in the search will also be asked to provide:

• Evidence of teaching effectiveness.
• Evidence of scholarly and/or professional achievement.
• A statement of teaching philosophy.
• College and university transcripts.

Priority Screening Date: September 30, 2026

Questions

Questions regarding the position may be directed to:

Virlena Crosley, DBA

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs / Associate Professor

School of Business, Linfield University

vcrosle@linfield.edu

503-883-2371