Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

The American Indian Studies Program, American Indian Student Center, and the Wokini Initiative have come together to offer an exciting career opportunity for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Lakota/Dakota/Nakota Language & American Indian Studies. We are looking for a creative individual grounded in Oceti Sakowin cultures, languages, and communities to join our collaborative American Indian Studies program beginning in August of 2024. This is a nine-month, full-time, benefits-eligible, tenure-track position, supervised by the Director of the School of American and Global Studies, in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

The School of American and Global Studies has 21 full-time faculty and offers 7 majors in American Indian & Indigenous Studies, French, German, Global Studies, History, Political Science, and Spanish; 10 minors in American Indian & Indigenous Studies, French, German, Global Studies, History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, and Spanish, and five interdisciplinary certificates in American Civic Traditions, Lobbying and Government Advocacy, Oceti Sakowin Basic Language Proficiency, Public Service, and Workplace Intercultural Competence. For more information on the School of American and Global Studies, American Indian Studies Program and the Wokini Initiative please visit www.sdstate.edu.

SDSU is especially interested in candidates who can effectively contribute to and/or coordinate course offerings that address the experiences of underrepresented populations in organizations and our university’s understanding of Indigeneity, tribal relations, language revitalization, and sovereignty. South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

South Dakota State University is located on the ancestral territory of the Oceti Sakowin [oh-CHEH-tee SHAW-koh-we], the Seven Council Fires, which is the proper name for the Lakota (Teton), Dakota (Santee), and Nakota (Yankton) peoples (hence L/D/N). This acknowledgment serves as a reminder that before this site was called SDSU, it was called home to American Indian Nations Indigenous to this location. It is with profound respect that we acknowledge the Indigenous peoples of this land.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach language courses at all levels of curriculum as well as teach and develop curriculum for non-language courses based on area of expertise that will help to grow the American Indian Studies program.
• Collaborate with American Indian & Indigenous Studies faculty to develop curriculum and support recruitment and retention efforts.
• Participate in the growth and development of the School of American and Global Studies.
• Engage in research, scholarship, and service activities that will support the vision and objectives of the American Indian & Indigenous Studies Program, the American Indian Student Center, and the Wokini Initiative.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D.in Indigenous Language Revitalization, Ethnic Studies, American Indian Studies, Linguistics, Education, or a closely related field completed by start date.
• Minimum of three years of successful Lakota/Dakota/Nakota language instruction.
• Demonstrated community engagement (tribal council, schools, etc.).
• Advanced proficiency in Lakota/Dakota/Nakota language.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills in target language and English.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Native or near-native proficiency in Lakota/Dakota/Nakota language.
• 3-5 years of experience with Indigenous language revitalization and/or assessment.
• Potential for competitive grant writing.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million annual research expenditures.

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by January 8, 2024.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on the position, contact Dr. James Murphy at (605) 688-5101 or Arthur.Murphy@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.