What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructor in Speech position at The University of Mississippi?
Note for Current UM Employees
Current employees must apply internally via connectU > connectu.olemiss.edu
Position Description
The Department of Writing and Rhetoric (DWR) at the University of Mississippi invites applications for Instructor of Speech committed to excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level. Instructors are highly valued in the DWR. The 9-month, renewable position includes opportunities for promotion on a non-tenure track. Start date for the position is August 2025.
The DWR is the home of the first year, oral and written communication programs at the University of Mississippi. DWR speech faculty and speech curriculum value student-centered pedagogy, individualized feedback, the power of the spoken word, civil discourse, intensive student training/coaching, and applied learning opportunities.
Position Details
Appointment: 9 month
Assignment Type: Non-Tenure Track
Examples of Work Performed
Primary duties for the Instructor of Speech include:
- Providing instruction for 100-level, public address and professional presentation courses.
- Maintaining a 4/4 instructional load.
- Holding office hours and conferencing with students individually.
- Developing, implementing, and sharing successful strategies for teaching speech courses.
- Assessing student competencies based on course objectives/outcomes.
- Participating in professional and departmental development.
- Contributing to a collaborative culture.
Other duties may include service to the department or university. Opportunities to teach 200 or 300 level courses, online courses, and/or courses during summer and intersessions may also be possible. Instructors are expected to be available for in-person instruction and be familiar with online learning management systems.
Minimum Qualifications
At minimum, a Master's in Communication or a master's in a similar field with 18 hours of graduate level communication courses is required. The qualifying degree must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Additionally, the successful candidate will have a record of teaching excellence and innovation, especially with introductory public speaking courses and/or academically specific, themed sections of oral communication and public speaking. Consideration also given to candidates with expertise in teaching specific areas of speech communication (e.g. interpersonal, small-group, organizational, health, etc.).
Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.
Application Procedures
To apply, please submit (via the online application portal): a cover letter, vita, teaching portfolio, and contact information for three references who are highly familiar with the candidate’s teaching. The teaching portfolio should include a teaching philosophy with a statement on teaching and diversity, multiple measures of teaching effectiveness (quantitative and qualitative), a syllabus for an introductory public speaking course at the first-year level and/or an additional speech communication course, and any additional evidence of student learning. References will be contacted later in the search process with permission. All applicants who apply by January 15, 2025 will receive full consideration, though the position will remain open until filled or until an adequate applicant pool is established.
About the University of MS & Oxford, MS
The University of Mississippi is a public, Carnegie R1, research institution and has been ranked for nine years by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the “great colleges to work for.” Located in northern Mississippi near Memphis, the town of Oxford has 25,000 residents, boasts top-ranked, public schools, and has been featured by USA Today, Smithsonian, Forbes, Livability, and others as a top place to live.
Background Check Statement
The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
EEO Statement
The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.
