Humanities Professor Part-Time

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State with a thriving and diverse community of over 200,000 residents. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

To grow our workforce, we are seeking creative, collaborative faculty who are reflective of the diverse community we serve. Tacoma Community College is a public Associate- and Bachelor's-granting institution that serves a student-body of approximately 12,000 students. Our students are 27% students of color, 60% female, and have a median age of 26. We embrace our identity as a community college. Our faculty are engaged in innovative work to improve student retention and program completion, and community success. According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, TCC ranks high on measures of active learning and academic challenge, thanks to our creative and scholarly faculty.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Regional Setting

For information on Tacoma and the surrounding area: https://www.tacomacc.edu/tcc-life/life_in_tacoma

Part-Time Faculty positions at the college are open continuously and reviewed on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Individuals who apply to the applicant pool are considered active for a period of 12 months from the application date and may be contacted when vacancies occur. Submitting an application does not guarantee that a position will be available or offered.

This position is responsible for preparing and teaching Humanities courses at Tacoma Community College. Course topics are varied, with potential assignments across a broad range of subjects including literature, philosophy, cultural studies, ethics, media, language, and the arts. The Humanities curriculum blends humanistic inquiry with real-world application, encouraging students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage in interdisciplinary problem-solving. While recognizing the historical foundations of the humanities, the curriculum moves beyond a primary focus on Eurocentric traditions to include a broader range of cultural perspectives, historically marginalized voices, and globally relevant frameworks. Courses are designed to help students explore the relevance of the humanities in understanding and responding to contemporary issues in today's interconnected world. Depending on departmental needs, courses may emphasize cultural literacy, social equity, creativity, or workforce relevance.

This position supports the ongoing development of an Applied Humanities focus as it aligns with the broader mission and goals of Tacoma Community College. The college strongly encourages applications from candidates who are committed to creating equitable, inclusive learning environments and who align with the College's mission to: create meaningful learning, advance equity, and strengthen student and community success.

Tacoma Community College and the Division of Creative Arts, Literature, and Communication are committed to the following:

• Supporting the needs of learners from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), justice-involved, LGBTQIA+, international, veteran, neurodivergent, and dual-enrolled students.
• Designing and delivering curriculum that is equity-based, anti-racist, trauma-informed, culturally affirming, and student-centered.
• Preparing students to apply humanistic inquiry to real-world challenges across professional, civic, and community contexts.
• Evolving our teaching practices in response to emerging trends in the humanities, higher education, and workforce needs-including navigating social complexity, ethical dilemmas, and cultural change.
• Committing to continuous improvement through assessment of student achievement, engagement, and application of learning outcomes.
• Interrogating historical systems and practices that have excluded or marginalized underrepresented communities.
• Creating inclusive, interdisciplinary learning environments that support students with visible and invisible disabilities and recognize the value of multiple ways of knowing and expressing understanding.
• Integrating innovative, non-traditional assignments and project-based learning that reflect workforce relevance and assess learning in meaningful, authentic ways.
• Implementing actionable, culturally sustaining strategies to reduce equity gaps and promote student success in humanities-centered pathways.
• Reimagining humanities education as a vital, applied field that fosters ethical leadership, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration across professions.
• Prioritizing affordable, accessible course content, including the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) and other low-cost learning materials.

Essential Functions

• Prepare, teach, and assess Humanities courses across a broad spectrum of topics-including literature, philosophy, cultural studies, ethics, media, arts, and language-that support both academic transfer and workforce preparation. Courses may be offered in face-to-face, hybrid, or online formats.

• Complete required trainings as assigned by the college

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in a Humanities-related field from an accredited college or university. Relevant fields may include (but are not limited to): literature, philosophy, cultural studies, communication, visual and performing arts, creative writing, ethics, languages, or interdisciplinary studies.
• TCC also welcomes candidates with graduate-level education and/or professional experience in applied or non-traditional areas such as: media and technology studies, digital storytelling, community-based arts, public humanities, communication and culture, or writing for diverse audiences.
• At least 1 year of teaching experience in higher education or equivalent instructional experience (e.g., community education, nonprofit or workplace training, mentorship, or culturally responsive teaching in alternative settings).
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered teaching practices.

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate

• Ethics and integrity, and sound professional judgment.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity-centered and anti-racist practices
• Versatility: competence and willingness to teach a variety of courses throughout Humanities coursework.
• Knowledge of the scholarship of teaching and learning that supports effective curriculum and design choices for the campus population
• Experience using educational technologies and learning management systems

Conditions of Employment

• Successfully complete a criminal history background check prior to employment.

This is a part-time faculty position potentially beginning September 1, 2025 and continued based upon staffing needs. Placement on the faculty salary schedule will be commensurate with educational background and experience. A collective bargaining agreement exists, and membership in the TCC Federation of Teachers or payment of a service fee is required. Evening and off campus assignments may be a part of the instructional load. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the department. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by official transcripts. Part time faculty may be paid at an established hourly rate per the collective bargaining agreement for some meetings and activities.

Application Materials & Procedures
Complete application packages must include the following:

1. Tacoma Community College application form.
2. Cover letter and resume. In your cover letter indicate how your background and experience meets the qualifications for this position.
3. UNOFFICIAL Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended. ( Official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate).
4. We strive to employ individuals who possess the skills necessary to effectively educate a diverse population of learners. Our effort is to create a cultural climate that recognizes, respects, and celebrates differences. Please attach a statement (maximum two pages):
   • Expressing your cultural self-awareness
   • Describing your experiences with other cultures and communities
   • Demonstrating how you apply these to the learning/working environment