Additional Position Information
Posting Detail Information Posting Number: NT00116 Benefits Eligible: No
Section Student Success Number of Positions Available: 1 Anticipated Start Date or Semester: Posting Date: 02112026 End of Temporary or Limited Position: Priority given to applicants who apply by Closing Date: Open Until Filled No Special Instructions Information for Applicants Position Status & Special Application Instructions Position Status & Special Application Instructions Min Salary: na Max Salary: na FLSA Exempt: AA ADA Statement As an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity institution that values and is committed to inclusion and expanding the diversity of its faculty and staff, the College invites members of protected classes, including minorities and persons with disabilities, to identify themselves as such at the time of application.
Position Information Position Title: Graduate Studies Instructor & Writing Instructor Department Name: Center for Scholar Development Academic or Calendar Year: Scheduled Work Week: Hours: Area: Program Dates: May 18- July 17 2026 Instructor Orientation: Week of April 14 2026 Time TBD.
Classes meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Poster Presentation & Pitch Session: Thursday, July 16 2026 Weekly meetings with the Project Director. Specific meetings and additional orientation dates if applicable will be communicated upon hiring.
Position Overview We are seeking a qualified and experienced writing instructor to join our McNair Scholars Program team for a temporary position focusing on personal statement development. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and delivering writing workshops tailored to help McNair Scholars craft compelling and effective personal statements for their graduate school applications.
Essential Duties • Develop and deliver writing workshops focused on personal statement development for McNair Scholars preparing for graduate school applications. • Provide one-on-one writing support and guidance to McNair Scholars helping them brainstorm, outline, draft, and revise their personal statements. • Create instructional materials, resources, and exercises to support student learning and development. • Assess student writing and provide constructive feedback for improvement. • Collaborate with McNair staff and faculty mentors to support the overall success of McNair Scholars.
Student Learning Outcomes Produce tailored 1-2 page personal statement and SOP for 3-5 programs emphasizing experiences, growth, and fit. Build graduate CV résumé with research, leadership highlights. Create application matrix, deadlines, McNair waivers, funding rationale. Present 5-8 minute capstone on goals, themes, readiness with Q&A.
Core Topics • Breakdown Graduate Pathways & Goals • Academic career motivations, first-gen barriers, successes. • Personal statement vs. statement of purpose differences. • Program Research Target 3-5 programs, faculty-program fit analysis. • Deadlines • McNair fee waivers, funding fellowships, TAships. • Brainstorming & Story Mining • Pivotal experiences, challenges overcome, hook development. • Freewriting, timeline exercises, partner interviews. • Essay Outlining Structure • Hook-evidence-reflection-program fit. • Show dont tell, active voice techniques. • Drafting Strategies • Voice authenticity, sensory details, transitions. • Timed sprints, common pitfalls, clichés, repetition. • Revising & Editing • Rubric, focus, specificity, 80 concrete examples, flow. • Peer review protocols, self-editing checklists. • CV Résumé Conventions • Action verbs, STAR method, grad app formatting. • Timelinerecommender strategies. • Application Organization • Supplemental materials, mock emails to recommenders. • Portfolio assembly for multiple apps. • Reflection & Presentation • Growth arcs, articulating trajectories, confidence. • Capstone talk structure, Q&A practice.
Occasional Duties Required Skills Knowledge and Abilities Required Qualifications Masters degree or higher in English Writing Education or a related field. Previous experience teaching writing at the college or university level. Familiarity with the graduate school admissions process, particularly personal statement requirements. Strong writing, editing, and communication skills. Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations. Creative and innovative approach to teaching writing.
Preferred Qualifications Experience teaching writing workshops or courses focused on personal statement development. Knowledge of graduate admissions standards and requirements across various disciplines. Experience working with underrepresented and first-generation college students.
Environmental Conditions This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.