Proudly standing as the nation’s oldest HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has been a stalwart and highly respected institution of higher education since our founding in 1837. For over 185 years our alumni have emerged as leaders and left their mark on the social, economic, and political history of Philadelphia, the surrounding region, the nation, and the world. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney University is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility.

Here at Cheyney, we value scholarship, diversity, integrity, respect, and service. We are committed to maintaining a vibrant educational community that is dedicated to promoting scholarship and lifelong learning for its students, offering wide student access to resources to ensure an opportunity for all to acquire an education, encouraging freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination by ensuring a respectful environment, and provide outreach and service to external and constituent communities, demonstrating their understanding of the importance and value of service.

We’re looking for exceptional individuals who share our values, embrace our mission, recognize our potential, and covet the opportunity to continue to move our historic University forward. CU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; generous retirement plans; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave, and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

Join a vibrant campus community of equity-minded educators whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. The Department of Business, Education, and Professional Studies (BEPS) invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education, specializing in Reading.  

Cheyney University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the nation’s first Historically Black College/University (HBCU). A comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education programs, Cheyney provides a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers a selection of undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business, arts and humanities, health sciences and education including interdisciplinary studies.   

Cheyney University is a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good. The Department of BEPS's mission is to foster knowledgeable, passionate, competent, and reflective program graduates, who will serve as eloquent and articulate advocates for all children, families, and their profession. The Education program, thus, offers a Bachelor of Science in Early Grade Education and Early Grades Education with Special Education accredited by Middle States and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). This accreditation covers the initial teacher preparation program.

The Assistant Professor of English – Reading Specialist faculty position involves teaching undergraduate courses that may be offered in various modes and formats, including in-person, online, on/off campus or hybrid formats in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Responsibilities include teaching foundations of reading, field experience practicum, methods and materials in reading, and educational technology courses; supporting students with developmental reading needs in the Academic Success Center; supervising student interns and residency teachers, and other duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will be able to teach using various technologies and innovate teaching skills to respond to the range of learning and teaching needs of Cheyney University students. The selected faculty member will collaborate with other departmental faculty and staff to ensure student success. This position is for fall semester 2025.

Responsibilities 

• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate level courses (in-person, online, hybrid, and possibly off campus) per semester within the area of Education and or Special Education. Classes will be taught during a variety of times, including evening hours. Additional courses within area of specialization may be assigned based on departmental needs.
• Supervise and advise assigned student teachers and field students.
• Complete course and program assessments.
• Maintain a typical faculty workload, including up to twelve (12) credit hours of instruction per semester (excluding Summer). Cheyney University’s courses are typically three (3) credit hours each.
• Develop and deliver face-to-face, hybrid, synchronous and asynchronous online instruction. 
• Collaborate with colleagues in curriculum design, instruction, and assessment and help create innovative strategies for student recruitment, retention, and completion. 
• Effectively advise students. Mentor, guide, and support students consistent with student needs and university policies, keeping regular office hours, supporting student organizations, and attending campus events.
• Continue scholarly growth and professional development through various means, such as conducting scientific research, delivering papers at national and regional meetings of professional societies, participating in panels at regional and national meetings of professional organizations, editing professional journals, and acquiring grants. 
• Serve the department, college, university, and community through various means, especially contributing to shared governance, participation in university-wide colloquia, and serving in professional and or community organizations. Participation in extra-curricular activities such as open houses, student organizations, and internship programs is encouraged. 
• All other relevant duties as assigned. 

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Early Grades or Special Education 
• Early Grade and Special education certification (current or expired) within the United States.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience in the role of special education teacher within a public school system in the United States.
• Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses; or 
• Experience supervising student teachers; or
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • culturally responsive teaching practices, and/or
  • trauma informed practices, and/or
  • teaching students with complex support needs, and/or
  • special education early intervention.

About Cheyney University

We’re looking for exceptional individuals who share our values, embrace our mission, recognize our potential, and covet the opportunity to continue to move our historic University forward. Please note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to your phone calls about vacancies or about the status of recruitment and your application. However, relevant applicants will be contacted for interviews.

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