The Department of Communication at the University of Missouri invites applications to fill an Assistant/Associate Teaching Professor (non-tenure track) beginning August 2023.

The person in this position will serve as the COMM 1200 Public Speaking Course Director. The department offers approximately 32 sections of public speaking each fall/spring semester. These sections are taught primarily by graduate students. Public Speaking is offered both in-person and online (as part of our online major). We also offer Honors sections of Public Speaking.

The Public Speaking Course Director will provide an orientation for Public Speaking instructors each semester, conduct ongoing professional teaching development sessions with instructors throughout the semester, oversee the identification of all course materials, continually update the Public Speaking curriculum and Canvas course sites for use by all instructors, respond to instructor inquiries, assist with student concerns, respond to campus requests for public speaking training, and work with the Department Chair on Public Speaking programmatic issues.

The person in this position will have the opportunity to serve as the Public Speaking Course Director during the summer semester for additional pay.

The Public Speaking Course Director is a standing member of the Department’s Undergraduate Committee that makes recommendations to the faculty regarding all aspects of the Communication major and department programs that support undergraduate students.

In addition to serving as the COMM 1200 Public Speaking Course Director, the person in this position will teach three courses per semester (3/3) including sections of Public Speaking and/or courses that address department teaching needs in one or more of our department emphasis areas: Health and Crisis Communication; Identity, Diversity, and Communication; Interpersonal and Family Communication; Mediated Communication; Organizational Communication; and Political Communication.

We are interested in candidates who are passionate about Public Speaking and the teaching of Public Speaking.

We are committed to ethnic, racial, and gender diversity in our faculty and strongly encourage applications from members of groups underrepresented in Communication.

We encourage applications from individuals who demonstrate a commitment to increasing diversity and access to higher education for groups underrepresented in Communication and those who can help serve our diverse student population.

We offer a competitive salary, a strong population of engaged undergraduate students, a highly interactive faculty, and a departmental home (Switzler Hall) that is located directly on the quad across from Mizzou’s historic columns.

Candidates should have completed a Ph.D. in Communication or a related field by August 15, 2023.

To Apply

The following documents/materials are required for the application to be complete:

• cover letter, including a description of public speaking and other teaching interests and experiences
• CV
• a diversity statement addressing your contributions to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility through teaching and service
• a philosophy of teaching statement including your vision for the public speaking course
• a summary of evidence of teaching effectiveness
• names and contact information of three references willing to write a letter if solicited

Please apply online. Job ID: 43833

Use the online application and be prepared to upload your cover letter, CV, diversity statement, teaching philosophy/summary of teaching effectiveness, and list of references (names and contact information for three references should be attached in the “attachments” section of the application section).

Applicants may contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Brian Houston (houstonjb@missouri.edu), with any questions about the job duties.  Contact Human Resource Services (muhrs@missouri.edu) for any questions about the application process.

Review of applications will begin January 10, 2023.

Additional Information

Considered one of the nation’s top-tier institutions, the University of Missouri (MU) has a reputation for excellence in teaching and research and is the flagship campus of the four-campus University of Missouri System. It is one of only 34 public universities to be selected for membership in the Association of American Universities. MU offers more than 280 degree programs and is designated as comprehensive doctoral with medical/veterinary by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The Department of Communication (communication.missouri.edu) at the University of Missouri has a long history of leadership in the field of communication. Our faculty are engaged in research, excellent teaching, and community outreach. The department is home to the Disaster and Community Crisis Center (dcc.missouri.edu), the Institute of Family Diversity and Communication (ifdc.missouri.edu), the Media and Diversity Center (mdc.missouri.edu), and the Political Communication Institute (pci.missouri.edu).

Columbia, MO, is ranked as one of the “10 Best College Towns in America” to live and work. Located two hours from both Kansas City and St. Louis, Columbia is home to the University of Missouri as well as two private colleges and local, county, and regional medical centers. Columbia has excellent schools, health care, recreational facilities, arts, and cultural opportunities.

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are likewise committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer.