Assistant or Associate Professor of Dance

About the role

Department

Dance

Decisions concerning employment are made on the basis of an individual’s qualifications to contribute to meeting Vassar College’s educational objectives and its institutional needs, which includes promoting a respect for difference and creating a learning environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. Candidates who can contribute to these goals through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. If you need to request an accommodation to fully participate in the search process, please contact

Position Introduction

The Dance department invites applications for a full-time, Assistant or Associate Professor of Dance, to begin in the fall 2027 academic year. We are especially interested in advanced Assistant or recently tenured Associate Professors. We seek an accomplished artist-scholar with expertise in teaching contemporary and modern dance techniques, a distinguished record of professional creative achievement, and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching within a liberal arts environment.

About the role

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in contemporary and modern dance technique at beginning through advanced levels, choreograph an original work annually for Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre, and teach seminar and/or lecture courses that examine dance through critical, historical, cultural, and theoretical frameworks.

We welcome applicants whose creative and scholarly work advances understandings of dance through diverse cultural, historical, aesthetic, and embodied perspectives. Experience with interdisciplinary artistic and scholarly collaboration is highly valued.

The teaching load in the first year is the equivalent of four full credit courses, following which the load is the equivalent of five full credit courses per year, or four plus intensive work with students which typically involves directed student research.

Responsibilities will include maintaining an active creative and/or scholarly practice, mentoring and advising undergraduate students in their artistic, academic and professional development. Additionally, contribution to the curriculum development and continued growth of the department while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations within the department and across the College is expected.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D., MFA or equivalent professional accomplishment in Dance or a closely related field at the time of appointment with demonstrated excellence in teaching contemporary and modern dance technique at multiple levels as an academic and artist. A sustained record of professional creative work, including choreography and/or performance is also required.

Candidates must also have demonstrated commitment to inclusive, equitable, and student-centered pedagogy and the ability to contribute to the intellectual and artistic life of a liberal arts college through teaching, creative practice, scholarship, and service.

Preference will be given to candidates with previous college-level teaching experience; an active professional network and sustained engagement within the contemporary and modern dance communities; experience developing collaborative projects across artistic disciplines; a record of effective student mentorship and support for students’ academic, artistic, and professional growth; and experience integrating technologies such as video, photography, sound, and digital media into creative practice and/or teaching.

Application Materials

• Cover Letter and CV
• Teaching Statement
• Community Impact Statement
• Contact information for three references who will provide reference letters upon request. Note: Candidates will be prompted for the contact information following the submission of the application.
• Course evaluation material along with Syllabi of courses taught for advanced candidates
• Links to videos demonstrating original choreography
• Portfolio of creative work (can include published writings, choreographic documentation, selected press, or links to videos demonstrating teaching)

How to Apply

• Please contact John Meehan at with any questions.
• Review of applicant materials will begin on October 30, 2026 and will continue until the position has been filled.
• There is no guarantee that applications received after October 30, 2026 will be reviewed.

Pay and benefits

The annual base starting salary range for this position is $100,000 to $130,000 (USD). This range includes advanced Assistant Professors as well as recently tenured Associate Professors. When extending an offer of employment, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) candidate’s education/training, work experience, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations. This salary range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting.