Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies and Co-Director of the Habiger Institute

OVERVIEW

The Department of Catholic Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas (MN) invites applications for the inaugural John and Paula Kelly Family Endowed Professorship in Catholic Leadership and Co-Director of the Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership to begin September 1, 2027. The Kelly Professor will be simultaneously a tenure-track faculty member of the Department of Catholic Studies entering at the rank of assistant professor and Co-Director of the Habiger Institute.

The Department of Catholic Studies offers an undergraduate major and minor as well as a graduate certificate and master’s degree. Guided by the principles of Ex corde ecclesiae and Fides et ratio, we are committed to sustaining and developing the Catholic intellectual tradition. We seek candidates who share these commitments. As an interdisciplinary department, we seek candidates whose disciplinary expertise is coupled with an interdisciplinary habit of mind and an ability to teach in an interdisciplinary way. To this end, we seek candidates with expertise in one of the multiple elements of the Catholic intellectual tradition (including but not limited to history, literature, art, theology, or philosophy) and expect that candidates will demonstrate how their teaching engages the tradition as a coherent whole. Candidates should have a clearly established scholarly agenda, and evidence of ability to teach across disciplinary boundaries and connect with students from varied backgrounds and with varied interests. The successful candidate must have a terminal degree in an academic field germane to Catholic Studies. Besides undergraduate teaching, graduate teaching and the ability to develop hybrid in-person/online courses for the Catholic Studies master’s program is also expected. Learn more about the Department of Catholic Studies at the following link: Catholic Studies.

The Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership, which is housed within the Center for Catholic Studies, offers a range of opportunities for students to develop the fortitude and character required to live as faithful professionals, ethical leaders, and joyful Catholics in a complex world. Some of its programs include the First- and Second-Year Living Learning Communities, the Guadalupe’s Scholars Program, and the Mission and Culture in Catholic Education Programs. These programs play a significant role in the lives of Catholic Studies students. We seek candidates who can lead the Habiger Institute with programs that will help students integrate their intellectual, moral, social, spiritual, and professional lives. Learn more about the Habiger Institute for Catholic Leadership at the following link: Habiger Institute.

The Habiger co-director position has a reduced teaching load of five courses (20 credits) per academic year for administrative responsibilities. The position includes summer responsibilities with a stipend above the base salary each year of the appointment. The Kelly Professor will assume full responsibility as Director of Habiger upon receiving tenure and promotion. Full responsibility as Habiger Director may be assumed pre-tenure, pending agreement of the Kelly Professor and approval of the Chair of the Department of Catholic Studies, the Director of the Center for Catholic Studies, and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The full Director of the Habiger will have a reduced course load of four courses (16 credits) and summer duties.

About the University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas is a dynamic, mission-driven, urban university. Located in a residential neighborhood with easy access to two downtown metropolitan areas and Minneapolis-St. Paul international airport, we are Minnesota’s largest private university with eight schools and colleges, 150+ undergraduate majors/minors, and 55 graduate programs. Learn more about life as a faculty member at St. Thomas at the following link: Faculty at St. Thomas.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.

This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission. Learn more about the University of St. Thomas mission and convictions at the Office for Mission website.

Salary and Benefits

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition remission benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous employer retirement contribution upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits
• Paid parental leave benefits

Salary range: $65,000 - $73,000. Compensation for Habiger Co-Director duties includes an annual $3,000 stipend.

The University of St. Thomas has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• A PhD (U.S. or Foreign Equivalent) in history, literature, art, theology, or philosophy or a related field germane to Catholic Studies, or alternatively, ABD nearing completion of the Ph.D. may also be considered, with initial appointment at the rank of instructor.

• Demonstrated ability to teach in an interdisciplinary way.

• A clearly established scholarly agenda.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. 

The application process consists of several required steps, completed in the order outlined below.

Step 1.

You will first be asked to create an applicant profile. As part of creating your profile, you must upload the following materials: 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A scholarly writing sample

Please upload only the documents specifically requested in the job posting at this stage. Do not upload any additional materials into other available fields

Step 2.

After submitting your applicant profile, you will be directed to the job‑specific application. During this step, you will be asked to provide:

• A cover letter that details:
  • the candidate’s interest in the position,
  • description of interdisciplinary teaching effectiveness within the Catholic intellectual tradition,
  • approaches to teaching courses that contribute and/or complement the undergraduate and graduate Catholic Studies curriculum that engages students from varied backgrounds and with varied interests,
  • experience or commitment to programming that helps students integrate their intellectual, moral, social, spiritual, and professional lives, and
  • research agenda and interests
• Complete the voluntary EEO, Veteran, and Disability self‑identification forms 

Step 3.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references.

• References will not be contacted without your permission
• Candidates who advance to the finalist phase will be asked to have their references submit letters of recommendation.

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026, for full consideration and will continue until the position is filled. Please contact the search chair, Dr. John Boyle ([email protected]), if you have any questions.

Official job posting is available at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/.