The Provost, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and College Houses & Academic Services (CHAS) invite applications for service as a College House live-in faculty member starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. This is a residentially-based service opportunity that can be renewed.
College House Faculty members play a key role in connecting the houses and their residents to the larger academic community at Penn. Faculty are responsible for collaborating with House staff to develop each College House as an educational resource that encourages intellectual inquiry, promotes academic programs in residence, fosters faculty and student interaction, and builds strong, supportive House and CHAS communities.
The most important qualification is an enthusiastic interest in mentoring and engaging undergraduate students within the residential setting. Faculty applicants from all 12 of Penn’s schools and full-time University administrative staff involved in academic or student affairs, with a minimum of two years of experience in their current positions, are encouraged to apply.
For these highly sought-after service positions, the selection process is quite competitive. Applicants are reviewed by the undergraduate deans, vice provost for undergraduate education, CHAS faculty director, CHAS executive director, and selected college house community members, including faculty, staff, and student residents.
Faculty Directors
The College House Faculty Director role entails a four-year renewable term to provide leadership to the house by setting the academic tone or vision for the House through partnership with the House Director, other House faculty and staff, and the other Faculty Directors across CHAS. The Faculty Director acts as a mentor for House Fellows and helps to create a residential environment that encourages intellectual inquiry, provides educational resources and support, and develops meaningful faculty interaction with students. Specific responsibilities will differ from college house to college house, but the general time commitment is approximately 10 hours per week.
College House Fellows
The College House Fellow role entails a two-year renewable term to assist in connecting the College Houses to the larger academic community at Penn. Fellows are responsible for working with the Faculty Director and House Director of their college house to fulfill the academic vision of the house and encourage intellectual inquiry, promote academic programs in residence, foster faculty and student interaction, and build strong, supportive house and CHAS communities. Specific responsibilities and approaches will differ from college house to college house, but the general time commitment is approximately 10 hours per week.
Additional information
If you have any questions, please contact Deven Patel, faculty director of CHAS (devenp@upenn.edu) or chas@collegehouses.upenn.edu. The application deadline is January 31, 2026.