Assistant Professor - Dental Hygiene

Position Title

Assistant Professor - Dental Hygiene Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus) Department:

32406 - Dental Hygiene

Advertised Salary

$67,000 - $72,000; Salary commensurate with qualifications pursuant to the FFA Agreement.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Faculty

Health Benefit Plans [https://www.ferris.edu/administration/adminandfinance/human/Benefits/faculty.htm]

FLSA

• Exempt
• Temporary/Continuing:
• Continuing
• Part-Time/Full-Time:
• Full-Time
• Union
• Group:
• Ferris
• Faculty
• Association (MEA-NEA)
• Term of
• Position: 9
• Month
• At
• Will/Just
• Cause:
• Just
• Cause
• Summary of
• Position: The College of Health Professions at Ferris State University seeks a diverse group of outstanding applicants for a full-time, tenure track Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene position, which includes didactic, clinical, and laboratory teaching, as well as related responsibilities in the Dental Hygiene programs and the Dental Clinic.
• Teaching may include undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Candidates are expected to foster a meaningful learning experience for our students, faculty are expected to be student-oriented, advise, and integrate current technology into the learning environment.
• Additionally, faculty will participate in collaborative efforts to foster curricular efforts, participate in assessment of student learning, and further develop programmatic enhancement.
• Specifically, we expect the candidate to be willing to engage students outside the classroom, support and expand our existing academic initiatives, and be willing to mentor students beyond a traditional academic advising role.
• In support of teaching, candidates will engage in scholarly/professional activities and participate in department, college, and university committees.
• Off-campus and online teaching may be required.
• Courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment and will perform duties at a Ferris site. The anticipated start date of this position is August 2026 at the earliest and January 2027 at the latest.
• Position
• Type:
• Faculty -
• Temporary &
• Continuing
• Required
• Education: Master's degree in dental hygiene, education, or a health-related field.
• Required
• Work
• Experience: Minimum of three years of dental hygiene experience and/or instructional experience in a dental hygiene education program.
• Required
• Licenses and
• Certifications: Current licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist with Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Certifications.
• Physical
• Demands:
• Bending
• Moving
• Reaching
• Repetitive movement
• Standing

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered

• Five years of instructional experience in a dental hygiene education program. E-learning experience.
• Essential
• Duties/Responsibilities:
• Provide classroom, clinical, laboratory, and online instruction as assigned (some evening hours may be required).
• Teach full-time during the 9-month academic year.
• Recruitment of students (including Dawg Days, Admitted Student Days, visits to high schools or career tech centers, and other University-outreach events) will occur throughout the academic year and include some Saturdays.
• Serve on program committees and represent the program(s) on College and University committees.
• Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development, assessment, and quality assurance.
• Teach and coordinate elective courses in areas of expertise.
• Collaborate in design and implementation of additional undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• Maintain records and conduct assessment and advising in accordance with policies and procedures developed by the university, college, school, department, and/or program.
• Perform duties in accordance with established University policies.
• Act as liaison between the program and professional organizations through active, individual involvement and potentially as the program-appointed representative.
• Maintain a consistent physical presence on the main campus for the purpose of engagement in the University community and the advancement of the dental hygiene programs.
• Enthusiastically support student success through active involvement with individual students, student organizations, and student competitions, both within and outside of the classroom.
• Ferris State University's philosophy places excellence in teaching as the first priority while encouraging involvement in scholarly activity.
• Remain current in the profession, maintain active engagement in professional responsibilities that may also include professional development and participation in university/college committees.
• Participate in scholarly activity to enhance knowledge of the discipline and the program.
• The position reports to the Department Chair or Director and the Dean.
• Work with colleagues to develop new curricular initiatives; participate in curriculum development, program evaluation, and accreditation compliance.
• Faculty members also have professional responsibilities which may include advising students, orientation and registration of students, participation in university committees, keeping regular posted office hours (which are scheduled at times convenient for students), and participation in traditional functions which have academic significance (ex. reporting initial student participation data and submitting final grades on time).
• Faculty members may be required to teach off-campus or in an on-line environment.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
• Marginal
• Duties/Responsibilities:
• Skills and
• Abilities: Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic and life experiences.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1
• Certification/License

Optional Documents

Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of their master's degree. Transcript must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.

Certification (REQUIRED)

Applicants must attach a copy of Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Certifications.

License (REQUIRED)

• Applicants must attach a copy of their Registered Dental Hygienist license.
• Initial
• Application
• Review
• Date: March 2, 2026 Open Until Position is Filled?:
• Yes
• Posting
• Close
• Date:
• EEO
• Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu [http://ferris.edu/]. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the
• University’s
• Policy on
• Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement [https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/administration/president/generalcounsel/pdfs-docs/00108985.pdf]. Click here [https://www.ferris.edu/administration/adminandfinance/human/Employment/homepage.htm] to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.