Exercise Science Faculty (July 2022)

Ottawa University seeks candidates for a full-time Exercise Science Faculty position at the Surprise, Arizona campus.  Responsible for providing engaging and effective instruction as well as academic mentoring to undergraduates; for developing, assessing, and assuring excellent pedagogy and curriculum design, both within the discipline and in contributions to the Liberal Arts core program; for promoting student achievement and academic integrity on behalf of the University; for collaboration with support services provided through units such as the Adawe Academic Advising Center; and for Academic program development for currency, growth, retention and recruitment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching

• Teach a full-time course load for Fall and Spring Semesters. A full-time load is defined as ten (10) courses per year or the equivalent of 30 credit hours per year during the academic year. Load definitions for courses involving laboratory instruction, supervision of experiential learning, or other variations from the traditional lecture/seminar format are to be determined in consultation between the OUAZ Academic Dean and Program Lead Faculty. A course is generally defined as having a minimum number of six (6) students enrolled.
• Maintain a high standard in classroom teaching through engaging and effective pedagogy, exhibiting awareness and understanding of best practices in undergraduate education through application in the classroom, and remaining current with issues, curriculum, and classroom approaches in both the liberal arts and the candidate’s academic discipline.
• Teach a combination of courses in the discipline (both for students majoring in the discipline and for students meeting Breadth Area (general education) requirements), interdisciplinary and/or team-taught courses, and courses approved as part of the Liberal Arts core program. This combination of courses is to be determined in collaboration among the OUAZ Academic Dean, Lead Faculty, and individual faculty, according to unit and School requirements.

Service

• Providing academic advising to students majoring or minoring in the discipline. Outside formal academic advising relationships, faculty also attend to other students’ needs and concerns, providing mentoring, support, guidance, and other assistance as requested by students and/or the student’s advisor. 
• Participate with faculty in governance issues related to curriculum and course development and revisions, including review of adjunct syllabi as assigned. Collaborate in University and program assessment of the academic needs of students, in analyzing trends, and developing and recommending changes as needed. Collaborate as needed in scheduling courses and addressing academic concerns (such as, but not limited to, serving on an academic grievance committee)
• Contribute to the residential needs and student life at OUAZ by voluntarily serving as advisor to student organizations, regularly attending Campus events and Spirit Life activities, serving on student grievance (or development) committees and providing other engaged support to the Campus environment and life as directed by the OUAZ President and OUAZ Academic Dean.
• Contribute to recruitment and retention efforts for campus growth and sustainability.
• Participate in the interviewing process, orientation, mentoring, and development of new faculty as needed.
• Participate in OUAZ and University-wide governance in responding to and engaging in dialogue related to academic issues across the university.
• Participate in OUAZ and University-wide committee work, including on-going committees, program assessments, task-oriented committees or task forces, and other projects or committees as requested.

Scholarship

• Maintain awareness of contemporary trends and evolving knowledge within one’s academic discipline and in the liberal arts through research, creative work, writing, conference attendance (either virtually or at designated location), public presentations (in-person and virtually, and other involvement in the regional and national community of higher education professionals.

General

• Responsible for participation toward the development of an annual performance management process, in cooperation with the University Provost, OUAZ Academic Dean, OUAZ President and School Deans, which will be designed to outline annual priorities and goals toward success of current year strategies.  Components of the system and process will be developed during the academic year with faculty members, with initial discussions beginning with the Faculty Symposium.   
• Participate as a member of the OUAZ community to ensure student success and safety. Provide support for other local units of the university and interact respectfully and collaboratively with all constituencies to effectively address local issues and concerns.
• Represent the University in all contacts with students, alumni, and external groups in ways that reflect positively on the University. Assure that student and university information is handled in a confidential and ethical manner.

Qualifications
Education:  Earned Doctorate preferred.  Master’s Degree required.

Work experience:  Three years higher education experience, preferably in a residential liberal arts setting.

Required skills and abilities: 

• Ability to work collaboratively with fellow faculty, both at the OUAZ and University-wide, and with units that support student life and academic achievement.
• Proven ability to teach effectively in an undergraduate classroom.
• Ability to meet deadlines and adhere to policy and procedure.
• Ability to be flexible in adjusting to and responding to both student and local university needs and concerns; and
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills.

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University (www.ottawa.edu) is a not-for-profit, comprehensive university affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA.  The University’s traditional campuses are located in Ottawa, Kansas and Surprise, Arizona.  In addition to the traditional campuses, Ottawa University offers innovative, flexible adult education programs for both the bachelors and graduate level at its campuses located within the United States and through online degree programs throughout the U.S.  Ottawa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Building on its foundation as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity. The University’s Code of Conduct and Ethics interprets this mission as it applies to the everyday decisions, behaviors and actions of those within the community.  All members of the Ottawa University Community are responsible for sustaining the highest ethical standards of the University, and of the broader communities in which it functions. 

Ottawa University celebrates and prizes the diversity of its students, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees. In keeping with its Mission Statement, the University is called to actively foster an environment of awareness, appreciation, and intentional inclusivity. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and strongly encourage them to apply.

A completed Application for Employment is required at http://www.ottawa.edu/Careers as a part of the application process.  Candidates must also submit a cover letter, CV/resume, teaching philosophy, and the contact information for three professional references to complete the application for employment.  Additional information can be emailed to ouhr@ottawa.edu .

Ottawa University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate in recruitment or employment on the basis of race, age, sex, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.