Visiting Professor

Palo Alto University (PAU), a private, non-profit university, founded in 1975 and located in the

heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, is a community grounded in values of social justice,

dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling

that meet the needs of today’s diverse society. The students at PAU reflect the diversity of the

region, are engaged in their education, and committed to improving the lives of others. The

University sees diversity in its staff and faculty as very important to serving its diverse student

body (or synonymous with inclusive excellence). PAU offers undergraduate and graduate

programs with online, hybrid and residential options. PAU has an engaged faculty who make

significant contributions to their fields and prepare future leaders who make a difference in the

lives of individuals and communities. PAU’s core values include social justice and cultural

competency, and the university received the 2017 American Psychological Association Suinn

Minority Achievement Award for excellence in the recruitment, retention and graduation of

ethnic minority students. PAU is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian

American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANHPI). When you put all of

this together, PAU creates a legacy of confident, competent, and compassionate professionals

who are at the forefront of psychology and counseling and who move ahead in life by moving

lives ahead.

PAU is committed to faculty success. The Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) provides

resources and training in evidence-based teaching strategies for instructors at all stages of their

career to advance a culture of continuous learning and growth. PAU has launched an

onboarding process and two-year program for early career faculty to promote mentorship and

support development. The University is an institutional member of the National Center for

Faculty Development and Diversity. Additionally, PAU supports faculty research through grants

and other sources of funding to fulfill our vision to improve the well-being of others and

contribute to just and inclusive communities.

Position Description

Job Title: Visiting Professor

Department: Counseling

Reports To: Provost and VP of Academic & Student Affairs

Location: Palo Alto, California, U.S.A.

Employment Status: Full time

Docusign Envelope ID: EB30CFDC-3E61-4EC0-A191-DD9B07EFBC47

Summary

The PAU Department of Counseling is excited to search for a Visiting Assistant Professor

beginning August 2025 and ending in June, 2026 to support our Clinical Mental Health

Counseling program with the expectation that the candidate will contribute to the other

specializations in the department. The selected candidate will be required to demonstrate

teaching and professional experiences that contribute to the specialization area, including

teaching and supervision experiences in clinical practice courses (practicum and internship) and

student mentoring. The selected candidate will also need to demonstrate the ability to enhance

the Counselor Education Programs' mission to integrate advocacy, social justice, cultural

competence, and ethical practice into the preparation of counseling professionals. This includes

demonstrated engagement in professional service and leadership in counseling and community

organizations.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. Teaching and Advising

● Teach 36 units over 9.5 months of AY 24-26. (2-3 classes per quarter).

* Summer quarter teaching is available for additional compensation.

● Teach virtual synchronous courses

2. Service and Engagement

● Serve on department and university committees

● Participate in department and university faculty meetings.

● Serve in leadership roles regionally and nationally in recognized counseling profession

associations and organizations.

3. Scholarly Engagement

● Active engagement in the field of counseling through participation in counseling

professional associations and/or presenting at conferences or communities.

4. Faculty are expected to attend university events, such as convocation, commencement,

and other major events as needed.

Required Qualifications:

● Doctoral degree in Counseling Education and Supervision preferably from a CACREPaccredited program;

● Professional identity as a counselor and a counselor educator demonstrated by

affiliation with relevant professional counseling associations, including the American

Counseling Association and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision;

● License or license eligible as a Mental Health Counselor or Marriage, Family, Child

Counselor or related counseling discipline.;

● Potential for excellence in teaching in virtual synchronized and residential formats;

● Demonstrated clinical knowledge and skills;

Docusign Envelope ID: EB30CFDC-3E61-4EC0-A191-DD9B07EFBC47

● Demonstrated capacity to engage in scholarly presentations;

● Demonstrated engagement in leadership and/or service in the counseling and/or

counselor education profession, such as committee members and chairs;

● Demonstrated ability to communicate with students both face-to-face, and connecting

online through video, email, and other technology;

● Evidence of inclusive excellence, as well as training and experience with multicultural

competence in counseling;

● Demonstrated commitment in facilitating conversations related to culture, power, and

oppression and increasing cultural sensitivity in students.

Application Procedures:

PAU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse,

equitable, and inclusive population. In your cover letter, please include information on how

your background and experience has prepared you to be in an environment that holds equity

and inclusion core to its mission and values.

The expected start date for this position is August 2025. Interested candidates should submit:

● A letter of interest

● Curriculum Vitae

● One-page statement of teaching philosophy

● One-page statement of equity, diversity, and inclusion

● A list of 3-5 references with contact information

● One-page summary of teaching evaluations and TA, student, and/or peer

comments/observations of teaching. Tables of teaching evaluation scores can be

provided.

The position is open until filled. All applications received by Feb 7, 2025 will receive full

consideration. Please direct questions to the Faculty Support Coordinator of MA Counseling

Program:

Dr. Latoya Smith ([email protected])

EEOC Policy:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination

in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In

compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational

qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's race,

color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital

status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancerrelated or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When

necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if the

Docusign Envelope ID: EB30CFDC-3E61-4EC0-A191-DD9B07EFBC47

individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it

will be done without undue hardship to the University.