Visiting Assistant Professor & Director of Writing (25954)

OUR UNIVERSITY

Ottawa University (established in 1865), one of the oldest private liberal arts universities in the United States, is a multi-campus system serving approximately 4000 students through its campuses in Kansas (Ottawa, Kansas- Residential Campus and Overland Park, Kansas- Adult Programs); Arizona (Surprise Residential Campus and OUAZ Adult Programs); Wisconsin (Brookfield Adult Programs); and our OU ONLINE PROGRAM based out of Overland Park, Kansas.

Ottawa University is a regionally accredited, church-related, private university that strives to integrate faith, learning, and life in the academic experiences of students.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for providing high quality and engaging instruction and academic mentoring to undergraduates; for practicing excellent pedagogy and developing and assessing curriculum, 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; and for collaboration with support services provided through units such as the Adawe Center and Student Support Services. Academic program development for program currency, growth, retention, and recruitment. Director of Writing: develop, implement, and operate a university writing center-program in collaboration with faculty and staff colleagues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB (provide list of items which are essential to effective outcomes in this role):

• Teaching Load: 0.6 teaching load (6 courses/18 credits) per year (with the potential addition of two directed studies or small courses*). Teaching assignments will be primarily at the residential campus, but will also include courses in the online unit.  Course load will include writing courses and Liberal Arts Studies interdisciplinary courses, with the option to teach other English courses as determined in collaboration with the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.    
• Teaching Standards: Maintain a high standard in classroom teaching through engaging and effective pedagogy, exhibiting awareness and understanding of best practices in post secondary 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.
• Advising: ttend to student needs and concerns, and work with each student’s advising team members to identify and develop opportunities for each individual learner. Collaborate as needed in scheduling courses, addressing academic concerns, and supporting efforts in retention.
• Scholarship: aintain 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.
• Service:
• Participate with faculty in governance issues related to curriculum and course development and revisions, including review of adjunct syllabi as assigned. 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 OU by voluntarily serving as advisor to student organizations, regularly attending Campus events (EX: 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 Dean.
• -Contribute to recruitment and retention efforts for camp