Associate or Full Professor of History of the American West & Director, Clements Center for Southwest Studies – Southern Methodist University

Faculty Opportunity: Associate or Full Professor of History of the American West & Director, Clements Center for Southwest Studies – Southern Methodist University

• Institution: Southern Methodist University (SMU)

• Academic Unit / Department: Clements Department of History, Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

• Center: William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies

• Appointment Type: Full-Time, Tenured Faculty

• Academic Rank / Level: Associate Professor or Full Professor

• Leadership Role: Director, Clements Center for Southwest Studies

• Specialization: History of the North American West / U.S. Southwest / U.S.-Mexico Borderlands / Related Fields

• Salary / Remuneration: Not specified in the official posting

• Location: Dallas, Texas, United States

• Application Deadline: October 31, 2026 – Full Consideration Date

• Position Status: Open until filled

• Expected Start Date: August 1, 2027

Overview of Role

Southern Methodist University invites applications for a senior, tenured faculty appointment in the Clements Department of History combined with the directorship of the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies.

The appointment may be made at the rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor positioned for promotion in the near term. Relevant fields include the North American West, U.S. Southwest, U.S.-Mexico borderlands, and closely related areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Clements Center for Southwest Studies.

• Support fellows and emerging scholars.

• Develop collaborative scholarly programming.

• Strengthen the Center’s national and international profile.

• Foster integration between the Center and the Department of History.

• Advise and supervise graduate students, including doctoral students.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in relevant fields.

• Contribute to departmental and university service.

• Provide intellectual and administrative leadership for a major research center.

Research & Academic Environment

The Clements Center supports:

• Competitive fellowship programs

• Nationally recognized symposia

• Collaborative seminars

• Public programming

• The David J. Weber Book Prize in partnership with the Western Historical Association

The successful candidate will also have opportunities to engage with major SMU resources, including:

• Rees-Jones Library of the American West

• DeGolyer Library

• Bridwell Library

• Meadows Museum

• Archaeological Research Center

• Center for Presidential History

• Texas-Mexico Center

Qualifications & Candidate Profile

Minimum Qualifications:

• Distinguished and sustained record of scholarly publication.

• Intellectual leadership in:

  • North American West

  • U.S. Southwest

  • U.S.-Mexico Borderlands

  • Closely related fields

• Record appropriate for appointment with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor.

• Strong record of teaching excellence.

• Significant professional and/or institutional service.

• Demonstrated capacity for intellectual and administrative leadership.

Preferred Qualification:

• Experience advising and mentoring graduate students, including doctoral students.

• Interest in contributing significantly to the Department of History’s graduate program.

Application Checklist

Applicants should submit:

1. Letter of Application highlighting qualifications

2. Complete Curriculum Vitae

3. Contact Information for Three Recommenders

Application Process

• Application Link: https://apply.interfolio.com/193862

• Full Consideration Date: October 31, 2026

• Review of applications begins October 31, 2026.

• Applications may continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

• Expected Start Date: August 1, 2027

• Appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check.