AY 2026-2027 - Higher Education in Prison Adjunct Faculty Pool

Position Announcement

Position Details Proposed Start Date: 09162026 Working Title: AY 2026-2027 - Higher Education in Prison Adjunct Faculty Pool Department: 222720 - UGE Higher Educatn in Prison HEP Position Number: D90614 Representation: AP - AFT Local 3571

Position Summary Brief Description of PSUSchoolDept: Portland State Universitys 49-acre downtown campus is located in the heart of one of Americas most vibrant centers of culture, business, and technology. We are recognized throughout the world for programs like Urban Planning, Social Work, and Environmental Studies that directly engage the community and aim our students towards the creation of a better, more sustainable world.

The Higher Education in Prison HEP program is housed in University Studies, the largest general education program for Portland State. HEP offers an undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies, delivering courses through a combination of in-person, online, and hybrid modalities in two Oregon prison locations: Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and Oregon State Penitentiary. HEP partners and collaborates with academic departments and programs to deliver inclusive, interdisciplinary, and inquiry-based pedagogy.

The mission of Portland State Universitys Higher Education in Prison HEP program is to expand rigorous, quality higher education and to support justice-impacted students post-release.

Position Summary The Higher Education in Prison HEP program collects new applications throughout the academic year to fill vacancies. Review of applications occurs as new sections or instructors are needed.

University Studies and HEP faculty model intellectual passion and curiosity because they believe in the fundamental aspiration of higher education to prepare people to improve the world. Our faculty are inclusive, interdisciplinary, and practice inquiry-based pedagogy that provokes students to build self-efficacy through relational learning across difference, encourages a community of educators to practice engaged teaching for transformative learning, advances civic engagement, reflective practice, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Learn more about HEP at https://www.pdx.edu/liberal-arts-sciences/higher-education-prison or University Studies at https://www.pdx.edu/university-studies/about-unst

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters Degree or equivalent
• Eligibility to receive volunteer credentials with the Oregon Department of Corrections
• Strong commitment to student confidentiality and privacy
• Strong communication, writing, organizational, technology, and interpersonal skills
• When applicable, reliable transportation to the correctional facilities: Coffee Creek Correctional and/or Oregon State Penitentiary
• All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal Degree
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
• Experience with prison education programs
• Experience working with marginalized populations

Key Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
• Adheres to all PSUs policies, including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct

Environmental Stewardship

• Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals

Required Professional Standards of Conduct At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct, which are available at https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/professional-standards-conduct-policy

Compensation Adjuncts are paid per credit hour and are hired on either a per term or an academic year basis per the PSUFA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Application Instructions Additional Information Details about compensation and other components of the Portland State University Faculty Association Union (PSUFA) can be found at https://www.pdx.edu/academic-affairs/academic-unions

All adjunct candidates are required to be living in either Oregon or Washington for the academic year 2026-2027.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required? Yes

Search Details Posting Close Date: Projected Close Date for Posting: Open Until Finalists Identified Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.

Please demonstrate how you would develop and apply your commitment to create a classroom environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to diverse points of view and learning styles. Please limit your answer to 500 words.

Open Ended Question Please select which location you prefer:

• Wilsonville
• Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
• Salem Area prisons in coordination with Oregon State Penitentiary
• No Preference (either location)

Please list no more than three (3) courses and/or subjects that you are interested in teaching AND your qualifications to teach those courses or subject matter. You can view our courses on PSUs website: https://www.pdx.edu/academics/programs/undergraduate/liberal-studies

Open Ended Question Have you facilitated an online or hybrid partially online course? If so, what subjects?

Open Ended Question Have you taught writing across the curriculum? If so, please describe briefly.

Open Ended Question Please list special studies, honors offices held, special abilities, or other information you feel would be helpful in considering your application for employment.

Open Ended Question Which terms would you prefer to teach?

• Fall (late September-mid-December)
• Winter (January-March)
• Spring (April-June)
• Summer (June-August)

Please share the days and times you are available to teach during the terms you selected.

Open Ended Question Applicant Documents Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Professional References Optional Documents