Diversity Scholars Program Application Requirements

The Provost’s Office at Ithaca College invites applications for Diversity Scholars Predoctoral Fellowships. The Fellowships are for the academic year (August 16, 2025 – May 31, 2026) and are non-renewable. Scholars will receive a $43,260 stipend, $5,000 in travel/professional development support, relocation reimbursement, office space, health benefits, and access to Ithaca College and Cornell University libraries. Scholars will teach one course in the fall semester and one course in the spring semester; will receive teaching focused mentoring and professional development by senior faculty; will be expected to participate in one official function per semester; and must partake in an exit interview.

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited program leading to a Ph.D. degree at a U.S. institution; display evidence of a commitment to a career in teaching at the college or university level; demonstrate a dedication to equitable classroom practices; display evidence of a scholarly agenda; and be authorized to work in the United States. Candidates from underrepresented groups whose exclusions from the academy has been longstanding and who have demonstrated a commitment to minoritized communities in their teaching, service and/or research are strongly encouraged to apply. Prior to August 15, 2025, applicants must be advanced to candidacy at their home institution, with an approved dissertation proposal. Preference will be given to candidates who are in the last year of dissertation writing and who have not completed most of their writing at the beginning of the fellowship year.

Applications are welcome in the following areas/departments: Please visit our HR website to apply to the appropriate department.

Art, Art History, and Architecture

The Department of Art, Art History, and Architectural Studies at Ithaca College seeks a PhD candidate Diversity Scholar with expertise in one or more of the following areas: a focus on the arts of Asia, American Indian, Latin America and the Caribbean, and/or their diasporas in any time period. The successful candidate will teach one course in their area of specialization at either an introductory (100, 200) or intermediate level (300).

Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity

CSCRE is open to candidates whose scholarship focuses in the areas of African Diaspora Studies; Latino/a/x Studies; Asian American Studies; or Native American and Indigenous Studies. Additionally, candidates who possess alternative approaches to teach and conduct research in race, ethnicity and/or cultural studies in ways that foreground the interplay of race, power, and resistance will be considered. The Center is particularly interested in candidates whose work engages Native American and Indigenous Studies; however, all candidates in areas of ethnic studies, race studies, and/or cultural studies are encouraged to apply. Our department is committed to mentoring a Diversity Scholar in their dissertation completion, pedagogy, and professional development. The successful candidate will be invited to teach one introductory course in the Fall, and a course of their own design and choosing in the Spring.

Department of Economics

The department of Economics seeks a PhD candidate Diversity Scholar. We are open to candidates from any field in Economics with an interest in teaching from a lens of equity and inclusion – both in terms of pedagogy and in terms of content. The successful candidate will teach an introductory course in the fall and an upper division elective in the spring. Our department is committed to mentoring in the areas of pedagogy, student support techniques, successful completion of the dissertation, and professional development. 

Department of Philosophy and Religion

Religious Studies applications are welcome that demonstrate an ability to teach about Islam. We welcome candidates who are cognizant of how race, gender, and politics figure into global religious contexts. We primarily are seeking candidates in Religious Studies, but will also consider candidates who work in philosophy and/or affiliated fields like Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, African religions, Chinese religions, etc. The successful candidate will teach an introductory course in the candidate’s area of study in the fall, and a special topics course in the candidate’s area of study in the spring.

Applicants are welcome in Philosophy or a cognate discipline. The subject areas of particular interest to the department include, but are not restricted to, philosophy of race, philosophy of gender, feminist philosophy, and world philosophies. The successful candidate will teach one introductory course in the candidate’s area of specialty in the fall, and one upper-level seminar in the candidate’s area of specialty in the spring.

Department of Psychology

The Psychology Department is seeking advanced graduate students to join our team for the upcoming academic year. We are particularly interested in candidates specializing in areas of psychology not currently covered in our curriculum, which will enhance the diversity and breadth of our program offerings. Examples of courses/areas to teach include community psychology, Latinx Psychology, Psychology of immigrants, the psychology of Race and Racism, or Multicultural Psychology. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to design and teach a 200-level course, geared toward sophomores, in their area of specialization. This course will be offered in the fall semester, with a second section to be taught in the spring.

Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology seeks a Ph.D. candidate Diversity Scholar with expertise in the sociology of race and ethnicity. Special consideration will be given to candidates with secondary specialization in environmental sociology and/or immigration. The successful candidate will teach a 200-level Race and Ethnicity course in the Fall, and a second course in the Spring to be determined in consultation between the candidate and the department.

Department of Writing

The Department of Writing offers a comprehensive B.A. in Writing and seeks a Ph.D. candidate Diversity Scholar with expertise in one or more of the following areas: narrative nonfiction, personal essay, writing for popular media, and/or literary journalism. The successful candidate will teach one introductory or intermediate course in the candidate’s specialty in the fall and one in the spring.

To Apply:

Interested applicants must apply online and include (1): Unofficial transcript from an accredited Ph.D.- granting institution; (2) a cover letter detailing the candidates teaching pedagogy and interest in a career in teaching; description of research agenda and a timeline for finishing the dissertation; and how they will contribute to the curriculum of the chosen department; (3) a CV; (4) a syllabus for a course you propose to teach; and (5) the contact information from two references. To ensure full consideration applications should be received by November 4th. Applications will not be considered complete until all materials are in.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.