Faculty Position in Communication/Assistant Director of Forensics

FACULTY POSITION IN COMMUNICATION

 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FORENSICS/INSTRUCTOR IN COMMUNICATION

Truman State University

Truman State University seeks a diverse pool of applicants for a full-time, non-tenure-track Instructor or Assistant Professor of Communication to begin August 2023.  The successful applicant has the possibility of reappointment (9-month contracts), depending on performance, department needs, and funding.

Required Qualifications:  This position requires a master’s in Communication, Public Communication, or closely related field and experience with competitive Speech & Debate.

Responsibilities:  Provide classroom instruction in lower and upper division curriculum; fulfill additional faculty duties including coaching intercollegiate debate; model the teacher-scholar; mentor students; and provide service to the university and community. 

Applicants will be evaluated on:

• Academic qualifications
• Teaching background or the potential for teaching courses in Communication Studies: Public Speaking, Oral Advocacy and Debate, Argumentation, Oral Interpretation, Performance Studies at the introductory and advanced undergraduate level, as well as courses in high demand areas related to their specialty, such as Communication Theory, Communication Education, Social Media, and/or Health Communication
• Forensics coaching background and the potential for assisting the Director of Forensics in coaching debate (Policy, NFA Lincoln-Douglas, and Parliamentary) and, if qualified, coach forensics individual events such as Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking.  The candidate will run practices and coach students on campus and at tournaments on weekends, as well as share the administrative responsibilities attached to such activities;
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness, including potential for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in undergraduates;
• Evidence of scholarly activity with emphasis on the use of candidates’ scholarship to inform their teaching;
• Evidence of commitment to liberal arts education as a teacher-scholar, with undergraduate student development and accomplishment as the highest priority;
• Interest and background in interdisciplinary and/or cross-disciplinary teaching;
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; and
• Compatibility with the department’s needs.

Compensation and Rank:  This is an entry-level academic position with salary of $44,800 at the rank of Instructor for MA or $49,500 at the rank of Assistant Professor for PhD or MFA; benefits package with health insurance, retirement contributions, and some reimbursed assistance for moving expenses.  This appointment may be renewed annually upon mutual consent dependent upon the results of the annual review, the needs of the University, and available funding. 

Program:  The Department of Communication at Truman has 9 full-time faculty members and approximately 120 students in the major program with approximately 40 minors in Communication and Political Communication. The Communication major allows students to choose from three emphases: Communication Studies, Journalism, and Public Communication. The department also contributes to the Education Department’s certification track in speech and theatre education and a new interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in Social Issue Advocacy.  The forensics program at Truman State University has had multiple national championships, national finalists, national sweepstakes awards, and state level-champions over the last couple of decades.  For more information about the Communication program, please visit http://www.truman.edu/majors-programs/majors-minors/communication-major/

The University: Truman State University is home to a vibrant educational community. The approximately 4,000 students who make up its student body are well prepared for the challenging academics in a supportive environment. More than 20 percent engage in significant undergraduate research and creative projects. Most gain leadership experience and nearly half go on to graduate or professional school within a year of earning a degree. Founded in 1867, Truman is known for its focus on student learning and outcomes and places an emphasis on high-impact experiences such as internships, research and study abroad opportunities. Truman has the highest overall graduation rate among the state’s public colleges and universities. For more than two decades, Truman has been recognized as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest regional category by U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly consistently ranks Truman as one of the best master’s universities in the nation. For more information regarding additional rankings and acknowledgments, visit truman.edu/about.

The Community: Located in northeast Missouri, Kirksville is a cultural and economic hub in the region. In addition to being the home of Truman, Kirksville is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine and features a medical school, dental school and community college, and the Kirksville School District is consistently recognized for academic excellence. The community takes pride in several annual events including the Round Barn Blues Festival and the FLATS Trail Half-Marathon. The charming downtown area features an arts center, as well as several local shops and restaurants. It is also the site of numerous community events including the Red, White and Blue Festival in the summer and the Red Barn Arts and Craft Festival each fall. Just a few minutes outside of town is beautiful Thousand Hills State Park with hiking and biking opportunities surrounding the 700-acre Forest Lake. Kirksville offers easy access by car to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and Des Moines. Daily flights from Kirksville Regional Airport to St. Louis provide quick access to one of the Midwest’s major metropolitan areas. More information about Kirksville can be found at visitkirksville.com.

Application:  The School of Social and Cultural Studies coordinates the application process.  Applications must be submitted electronically at http://employment.truman.edu/. For assistance with submitting an application, please contact Human Resources at 660-785-4031 or hrstaff@truman.edu.

Complete applications must include: 

• a letter of application that addresses the evaluation criteria, scholarly activity interests, and any other applicant characteristics that merit emphasis,
• current curriculum vitae,
• statement of teaching philosophy, research interests and goals, as well as commitment to inclusive excellence, to the liberal arts and sciences, and to student development, teaching portfolio (evaluations, examples of syllabi, assignments, student work),
• copies of graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable), and
• names and contact information for three references; letters of recommendation will be solicited from candidates prior to interviews.

Review of applications will begin March 3, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Final candidates are required to undergo and successfully pass a background check and provide evidence of a satisfactory driving record.  If hired, applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States, official copies of graduate transcripts, or documentation of degrees if transcripts are not available.

Questions about this position may be directed to Dr. Jay Self (selfjw@truman.edu), Chair, Department of Communication.

Truman State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed

to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

women and minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.