The School of Business at Pacific Lutheran University seeks a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin September 1, 2023. The position contributes to our learning community by teaching 6 courses (September – May), offering scholarly projects (including opportunities for student/faculty research), and integral service to students and the university throughout the academic year.

The School of Business at Pacific Lutheran University is AACSB accredited, was offered continued accreditation in 2022, and has been AACSB accredited for over 50 years. The business curriculum is innovative, offering a hands-on experiential introduction to business via the first business course, and offers content in concentration areas of Finance, Accounting, Management and Marketing. Minors are offered in Nonprofit Leadership, Business, Marketing, and in collaboration with the Innovation Studies program. The School also offers three new experiential-based certificate programs in (1) consulting, (2) consultative sales, and (3) business justice, all offering hands-on learning from faculty, industry experts, and integrate active learning with the community. We value in-person learning via smaller class sizes (typically ranging from 25-30 students per course) that allow for personal connections and relationships with students. Further information about the School of Business and Finance curriculum can be found on the website at https://www.plu.edu/busa/.

The position serves as an integral part of the university’s focus on service and care by teaching six courses during the academic year. Faculty have an opportunity to suggest innovative elective courses, as well as offer innovative curriculum ideas (particular topics, the inclusion of simulations, working with industry via embedded client-based professional projects, or by adding certificate components into their course curriculum). While teaching is in-person, there is the potential for one online course (during January-term), and the potential to lead an invigorating 10-day study away course in the MBA program (optional).

At times and via experiences at other institutions, Faculty can feel that their students are becoming just a number, and there is not ample time for the opportunity to really connect with students, preventing Faculty from understanding the hopes and dreams of their students or having opportunities to connect with, and to mentor, their students. In other cases, some faculty feel pushed to be focused on research and not their teaching, achieving only publications from top journals and feeling that not only is other research not valued (or, in some cases, even noticed), though it comes at the expense of teaching. Students in graduate programs may wish to focus on their teaching, offering impactful research in the topics of their choice (versus an advisor or program), and to grow via a mix of their investment into their teaching and scholarship.

In the School of Business at PLU, we seek faculty who wish to engage with students within a small classroom setting, see themselves as innovative educators, and who wish to prepare thoughtful and experienced business, nonprofit, and/or governmental leaders who feel called to have a positive impact in their world. Faculty who care deeply about inclusive teaching, and who seek flexibility in their research, appreciate the caring and supporting environment at PLU. Many faculty in the School of Business have chosen PLU after serving at previous institutions because they care deeply about their teaching and connections with students, and they appreciate the flexibility in their research (topics and journals that are truly their own choice).

PLU students are wonderfully diverse and attracted to the university’s focus on service and care – for other people, for their communities, and for the earth. The diversity of backgrounds, beliefs and values offer a rich context for inclusive teaching and deep classroom interactions. PLU students arrive to this educational community as students of color (a majority of PLU students), nontraditional, LGBTQ+, and largely from a mix of Pacific Northwest and international communities. Approximately 2 in 5 students are first-in-the-family college students, something that is recognized and celebrated at PLU by highlighting the shared achievement of faculty, staff, and even the President of the University. We especially encourage applications from individuals who seek opportunities for diverse conversations and share our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and global perspectives in their teaching, scholarship and service.

Applicants should submit:

For questions or more information, please contact Juanita Reed at reedjj@plu.edu.

Pacific Lutheran University purposefully integrates the liberal arts, professional studies and civic engagement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. PLU continues the transformational tradition of Lutheran higher education through its commitment to the advancement of knowledge, freedom of expression, and critical questioning. Offering distinctive opportunities for global engagement, collaborative student-faculty research and purposeful learning, PLU guides 2,900 students from all faiths and backgrounds discern their vocation through coursework, mentorship and internships at world-class Puget Sound-area businesses and institutions.

PLU is located on a 156-acre woodland campus in the Parkland neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington and about 40 minutes south of downtown Seattle. The campus reflects consciously green practices and is in proximity to the natural beauty of Mount Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and the Puget Sound.

The PLU School of Business has a strong and loyal alumni base who support its mission, students and faculty. The School also enjoys strong links to local industry, non-profit and governmental organizations. The School and the University support scholarship through various grants. The Puget Sound region is home to some of the most well known firms including Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Microsoft and Nordstrom. The region continues to grow and attract world-class marketing and analytics businesses. There are numerous opportunities for conducting research in the cutting-edge areas of the field.

PLU administration supports and respects the strong culture of faculty-shared governance by working closely and collaboratively with faculty leadership to sustain and strengthen existing structures and procedures while working together on key institutional, academic and curricular decisions.

PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research, or other work activities. For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or humr@plu.edu. Click here for detailed benefits information.