Diversity Statement: Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.
Department: USEM
FTE: 1
Position Summary: The University Library and Undergraduate Studies at Southern Oregon University ( SOU ) is seeking candidates for full-time, nine month, professional-track, Instructors. These are professional rank, 9-month, renewable, faculty appointments. Instructors should have a multiple disciplinary background; must demonstrate extensive experience with first-year students and with first-year seminars/writing that emphasize developing transferable skills of thinking, written and oral communication, information literacy, and research skills. Seminar Faculty play a key role in SOU's first year advising practices and retention initiatives. All seminar courses integrate high- quality instruction with embedded peer support in critical gateway courses.
Primary Function : All First-Year Seminar faculty share the responsibilities of teaching, advising, program assessment, and institutional assessment. To carry out our regional public liberal arts mission, we seek faculty with the desire and ability to engage students as they launch their intellectual journey towards reaching their educational dreams. SOU and faculty work with learning management systems (e.g., Moodle, Banner, Navigate, and Degree Works.)
Seminar/Teaching : Purposeful Learning Capacity (WR 121z, WR 122z, and WR 123) is a required, general education course sequence for first-time entering students (traditional and non-traditional). Seminars work to provide a rich cohort learning experience with a peer group and a strong mentoring faculty member. Unique seminars are faculty-designed and organized around different topics/themes that play to the instructor's knowledge base, but all students are working towards SOU's general education requirements. WR 121Z and WR 122Z are common course numberings CCN ) in the state of Oregon with course descriptions and outcomes prescribed by the state. Infused in the CCN sections is the General Education Purposeful Learning required by SOU . Both segments are assessed through common assignments and student sample collection. Other teaching responsibilities include UGS 185 or UGS 187 workshop support courses that align with the seminar sections or UGS 199 special studies as assigned. More information is available upon request.
Advising : The instructor also serves as a first-year faculty advisor, helping students negotiate their options in the larger curriculum and the college experience in general. Seminar Faculty are the primary advisor for students enrolled in their sections.
Other responsibilities include curriculum development, alignment with state and institutional common assignments and outcomes, and other responsibilities as assigned.
The First Year Seminar program is actively engaging in addressing and serving the needs of the growing diversity of its student body and welcomes applicants from a diversity of backgrounds including historically underrepresented groups in higher education.
SOU offers excellent comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The start date is September 2024, and the position will be open until filled with priority deadline of November 15, 2023 .
Southern Oregon University is a public liberal arts institution of approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. The surrounding area is known for cultural offerings such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Ashland International Film Festival, and the Britt Music Festival. The region is noted for its unparalleled biodiversity and the university lies in close proximity to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The Rogue Valley is renowned for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and biking. We offer excellent comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
Preferred Qualifications: Terminal degree, or ABD from an accredited institution Experience with first-year students, first-time university students, undergraduate seminars, and/or writing-intensive courses, including students from various economic, social, and cultural backgrounds and with mixed academic achievement. Five years teaching in a college or university setting or industry experience at a professional level Knowledge of process-oriented and evidence-based teaching and academic support practices that promote the success of undergraduate students, particularly those from under-represented and first-generation populations. Demonstrated success in one-on-one academic mentoring/advising. Prior success contributing to successful first-year programs at a university. Demonstrated excellence in teaching, particularly with first-generation learners. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues to achieve common goals. Ability to work with learning management systems (Moodle, Banner, DegreeWorks) and computer literacy. All Listed Duties: Teaching, professional development and service.
Special Instructions to Applicants: Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for
occasional professional development.
Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet
special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on
an emergency basis.
Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
Under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act ( FLSA ):
-Position classification defined as About Southern Oregon University
SOU provides career-focused, comprehensive educational experiences to over 6,200 students. Along with an emphasis on student success and intellectual growth, SOU is committed to diversity, inclusion and sustainability. Theoretical and experiential learning programs provide quality, innovative experiences for students. At SOU, students build strong community connections through internships, mentorships, field studies, capstone projects, volunteer opportunities and civic engagement.
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