Applying for a job in academia: about references

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m currently an adjunct at two local community colleges. I’m in the process of getting my stuff together to apply for an adjunct position at a local university, as I talked about in this threada few weeks ago.

College #1 is the one I plan to remain at, and College #2 is the one I want to replace. I have had sort-of-permanent, yearly contracts at both for the last few years. College #2 has decided not to renew my contract for the upcoming school year, and I have no idea why, or what I may have done, to prompt this decision. But I’m not sure I really care all that much, since I’ve been planning on doing a slow exit anyway. I have never given the slightest hint to anyone there about my intention. This doesn’t mean I’m no longer employed there, it only means I’ll be thrown whatever scraps are left, if any, after the full-timers and other contract adjuncts are given their classes.

My question is about references. Both of the co-department chairs at College #1 will give me good references. I was recently evaluated by a full-timer at College #1, and got a glowing review (first comment: “GESancMan is an excellent instructor”). So she would be my ideal third reference. I am reluctant to use anyone from College #2 as a reference, because I can’t be sure what they might say.

So, if I currently have two jobs, and all three of my references are coming from one job, and none from the other… isn’t that going to throw up a red flag in my application?

2

I would not necessarily consider that a red flag. Perhaps when you detail your positions in your resume (CV) you can focus more on college #1. As a reader I would assume that college #1 is your primary position and #2 is a “side hustle”.

3

If I were on the search committee, I’d want to see a letter from college #2. It need not necessarily be from the chair. Do you have a colleague from college #2 that knows your teaching that you could ask to write on your behalf?

Your non-renewal quite possibly has nothing at all to do with your teaching. Have you asked your chair why you weren’t renewed? S/he might be perfectly happy to write a letter for you if, for example, the non-renewal was due to budget cuts, declining enrollments, changing major requirements, or any other of the countless reasons adjuncts don’t get renewed.

Good luck!