Creighton University invites applications and for the distinguished position of the Barbara Reardon Heaney Chair in Catholic Intellectual Life and Culture. The position is open to scholars from any discipline represented among those of Creighton’s College of Arts and Sciences. The Chair will play a vital role in advancing scholarship, teaching, and programming related to Catholic Intellectual Tradition and Catholic Culture at Creighton University. Honoring the legacy of Barbara Reardon Heaney, the next chairholder will demonstrate an abiding commitment to social justice aligned with the Jesuit charisms. Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated record of engaging students with issues of social justice. The successful candidate will be appointed in the appropriate department in Creighton’s College of Arts and Sciences at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with a 2/1 teaching load.
Position Responsibilities
The Successful candidate will be expected to contribute in the following ways:
- Promote Catholic intellectual life and studies
- Foster Catholic culture, including the roles of liturgy, prayer, spiritualty, vocations, service, and leadership
- Cultivate the practice of discernment, the Spiritual Exercises, and other values and ideals of the Society of Jesus
- Explore the implications and influences of a life of faith upon our social, political, environmental, and economic realities
- Espouse the Jesuit higher education ideal of the service of faith and the promotion of justice
Qualifications
Required Qualifications (required at time of application)
- Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant discipline represented within Creighton's College of Arts and Sciences, with a record of scholarship that meaningfully engages Catholic intellectual life and culture, the Catholic intellectual tradition, or related questions of faith, ethics, history, philosophy, literature, art, culture, or social justice.
- Strong record of scholarly achievement in the field of Catholic Intellectual Life and Culture appropriate for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor
- Robust research trajectory and evidence of active participation in scholarly activities in support of Catholic Intellectual Life and Culture
- Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and ability to develop and teach a range of courses exploring Catholic Intellectual Life and Culture
- Demonstrated record of curricular and co-curricular initiatives dedicated to engaging students with social justice
- Commitment to Creighton's Jesuit and Catholic mission
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to engage diverse audiences in meaningful dialogue about Catholic Intellectual Life and Culture
- Experience with community engagement fostering the development of Catholic Culture
- Capacity to contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives at Creighton supporting the study of Catholic Intellectual Life and Culture
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
Document Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter addressing scholarly interests, teaching philosophy, and vision for the position
- Research statement outlining scholarly accomplishments and future research agenda
- Teaching statement describing teaching philosophy, experience, and approach to teaching the Catholic Intellectual Tradition
- Academic transcripts (photocopies acceptable in initial stages)
- Names of 3-5 references with at least two discussing candidate’s record in teaching
Candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit the following additional materials:
- Statement of applicant’s anticipated contributions to Creighton’s mission
- 3-5 letters of reference, with at least one addressing candidate’s accomplishments in teaching and at least one addressing the candidate’s record of community engagement
For further information, please visit College of Arts and Sciences | Creighton University. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jodi Jones, Assistant Director - College of Arts and Sciences (jodijones@creighton.edu). For questions or issues submitting your application or materials, please don’t hesitate to contact HR@creighton.edu.
About Creighton University
Creighton is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States and has an established reputation of offering top-ranked education in the Jesuit tradition. Creighton's nine schools and colleges deliver quality educational programs that connect arts and sciences, law, and business with the health sciences.
Creighton enrolls over 8,700 students, about half of which are undergraduates and the other half graduate and professional students. Creighton University's mission, modest size, and comprehensive breadth of schools and colleges provides a rich environment for interdisciplinary teaching and research. Creighton's students, faculty, and staff thrive in a supportive community committed to Jesuit, Catholic values and traditions, including the promotion of justice, service to others, and respect for diverse cultures and faith traditions.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
AAP/EEO Statement
Creighton University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory educational and employment environment. The University admits qualified students, hires qualified employees and accepts patients for treatment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or other status protected by law. Its education and employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other programs and activities, are administered without unlawful discrimination.
