Lipscomb University·Nashville, Tennessee
The instructor will teach one section of the Honors Compass first-year seminar, guiding students through readings and discussions on faith, vocation, and truth. They will collaborate with the Dean of the Honors College to support the intellectual and spiritual formation of first-year students.
The Lipscomb University Honors College seeks an adjunct instructor to teach one section of LU 1303: Honors Compass: First Year Seminar during the Fall 2026 semester. Honors Compass is a foundational first-year seminar designed to introduce students to the habits, questions, and commitments that shape a Christian liberal arts education. The course invites students to think critically, reason ethically, communicate effectively, and deliberate responsibly as they explore central human questions and contemporary issues in light of faith, vocation, community, and the pursuit of truth.
The instructor will work in collaboration with the Dean of the Honors College and the Compass teaching team to deliver a course experience that supports first-year Honors students in their intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and vocational formation.
Course Description The purpose of Honors Compass is to lay a foundation on which students will build throughout the remainder of their education at Lipscomb. Students are invited to ask central human questions, discuss significant contemporary topics, and develop the intellectual, ethical, and spiritual tools needed for a lifelong journey of learning. The course emphasizes critical, creative, and collaborative thinking; ethical and empathetic engagement; effective communication; and responsible deliberation.
In keeping with the mission of Lipscomb University, the course seeks to help students know God, understand the world and themselves, and serve others as the ultimate aim of a Christian liberal arts education that prepares students to live out their vocation to love and serve their neighbors.
Primary Responsibilities The adjunct instructor will be responsible for teaching one section of Honors Compass and supporting the learning goals of the course.
Teaching scheduled class meetings (MWF 1200-1250) in a manner consistent with the Honors College’s vision for first-year formation.
Guiding students through readings, discussions, reflective assignments, and integrative learning experiences.
Helping students engage major questions of meaning, identity, faith, truth, vocation, community, and human flourishing.
Encouraging civil discourse, intellectual curiosity, ethical reasoning, and thoughtful engagement with diverse perspectives.
Providing timely feedback on student work and maintaining appropriate communication with students.
Coordinating with the Dean of the Honors College and other Compass administrators and instructors regarding shared course goals, expectations, assignments, and assessment practices.
Participating in limited course preparation or coordination meetings as needed.
Prior experience teaching first-year seminars, Honors courses, liberal arts seminars, general education courses, or interdisciplinary courses.
Familiarity with Christian higher education and faith-informed approaches to teaching and learning.
Experience mentoring high-achieving undergraduate students.
Interest in interdisciplinary learning, vocation, ethics, spiritual formation, and student flourishing.
About the Honors College The Lipscomb University Honors College serves students who seek to excel beyond the ordinary expectations of undergraduate education. Through challenging courses, close faculty mentoring, undergraduate research, global learning, service, leadership development, and intentional community, the Honors College invites students into a deeper pursuit of truth, wisdom, faith, and vocation.
Honors Compass plays a central role in this mission by helping first-year Honors students begin their Lipscomb journey with a strong sense of purpose, belonging, intellectual curiosity, and responsibility to God and neighbor.
A letter of interest describing their teaching experience and interest in Honors Compass.
A curriculum vitae or résumé.
Contact information for professional references.
Any additional materials requested through the Lipscomb University Human Resources application process.
A master's degree or higher in a relevant field and evidence of strong undergraduate teaching ability are required. Candidates must be committed to the mission of Christian liberal arts education and possess strong interpersonal skills.
Market context
In Tennessee, adjunct openings for First Year Seminar instructors tend to favor candidates with graduate credentials, classroom experience, and alignment with a Christian liberal arts mission. These roles are competitive because they often value strong undergraduate teaching ability and interpersonal skills alongside subject expertise. Before applying, review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform against the original posting, and tailor your materials to show first-year teaching experience and mission fit.