Adjunct Faculty Wisdom Traditions
Position Title: Adjunct Faculty Wisdom Traditions
No. of Positions to Fill: 1
Department/Program: Wisdom Traditions
Work Location: Onsite
Reports to: Netanel Miles-Yepez
FLSA Classification: Exempt/Salaried
FTE: 2.67% (1 hours/week)
Compensation: $857.91 - $1,143.86 per semester depending on prior Naropa experience
Application Deadline: 10/1 or until filled.
Job Summary:
Course Description:
Position available to teach online at the graduate level: REL 390W A: Basic Goodness: An Introduction to The Shambhala Teachings. This is a 1-credit weekend course, which requires 15 contact hours during the semester. This course is offered in person through Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, during the Spring 2026 semester. The semester runs from 01/13/2026 to 05/08/2026.
REL-390W Basic Goodness: Intro to the Shambhala Teachings (1 Credit)
This weekend course introduces the Shambhala teachings, focusing on "Basic Goodness." Students learn the foundational principles of this tradition, its formative meditation techniques, and how to apply them in everyday life. The course introduces the history and development of Shambhala teachings. Contemplative practices from these teachings will be presented with an emphasis on developing gentleness, compassionate personal growth, and positive community contribution. Note: This is an introductory course, not a Shambhala-level training. The course format (online or in-person) will alternate depending on the semester. Cross-listed as REL690W. (1 Credits)
Job Duties:
• Prepare course syllabus and course shell on Canvas LMS according to the Academic Affairs syllabi instructions and submit the syllabus to the Office of Academic Affairs by the established deadline.
• Instruct students online -- in accordance with the syllabus, assess student progress and assign grades to students accordingly, provide oral and written feedback to students on their progress in the course and on assigned work, submit grades to registrar by approved deadlines.
• Obtain permission from the copyright owner for any copyrighted material to be used in source books.
• Complete any and all faculty and staff trainings, including training in Canvas CMS, as required by the Human Resources Office or the Office of Academic Affairs within the time period set for completion by those departments.
• Create and maintain a positive team environment and behave professionally with everyone
encountered in the course and scope of the job duties.
Required Qualifications
• MA, MDIV, or Doctoral degree in Religious Studies
• Prior relevant experience may substitute for degree. (NOTE: each candidate’s experience and demonstrated skills are assessed on a case-by-case basis as to their relevance to the position).
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the area of the Shambhala teachings and meditation.
• Ability to create and maintain an environment conducive to learning and to maintain a professional demeanor during online classes and office hours.
• Willingness to co-create an inclusive community and actively participate in related professional development, including openness to feedback and ongoing self- examination.
• Ability to create and maintain a positive team environment and behave professionally with everyone encountered in the course and scope of the job duties.
• A strong understanding of contemplative educational approaches
All job candidates must hold a commitment to co-create a diverse and inclusive community and actively participate in related professional development regarding the dynamics of privilege and oppression and the impact these have in the workplace.
• All job candidates must demonstrate their level of understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the impact these have on equity, access, and opportunity.
• All job candidates must be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University for this job and the capacity to provide a rigorous clinical approach as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with Canvas or other LMS platforms.
• Experience teaching online at the university level.
Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions
As a faculty member, teaching online, you may spend extended periods in front of students and speaking as well as:
• Reading academic texts and materials, student papers, etc.
• Operating personal computer and audio-visual equipment.
• Standing or sitting for hours at a time.
Naropa recognizes the following holidays throughout the year: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Fall Break, 4th Thursday and Friday in November, and Winter Break, the last two weeks in December encompassing the Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s.
Naropa’s health and welfare benefits include the following: medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching, and a variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans.
A comprehensive benefits package is available to full-time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours each week. Employees who work 20 – 29 hours each week are eligible for only the employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment, and the retirement plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in Naropa’s retirement plan only, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, including student workers, accrue sick leave benefits. Full-time and part-time staff positions accrue vacation and personal time. All leave accrual rates vary based on the position, hours worked, and years of service.
The University recognizes the importance of including its employees in its organizational mission and values and welcomes employees into the classroom to “touch the magic.” Specifically, regular employees are provided generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members.
Naropa University participates in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). CIC-TEP is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC participating institutions (full-time as designated by the employer/institution). Additional information can be found here: https://www.cic.edu/member-services/tuition-exchange-program.
Naropa University is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer and Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence. This law applies to all students, faculty, and staff.