Lecturer of Communications Studies

About the University

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) enrolls over 16,000 students, where nearly 60% are first generation and over 55% are students of color. Located in downtown Denver, we are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado. As the third largest institution of higher education in Colorado and the only institution with an open access mission, MSU Denver is a model university for today's students. The University serves a diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. MSU Denver prioritizes teaching and learning excellence.Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

About the Department of Communication Studies

The Department of Communication Studies provides our students contemporary course offerings and flexible degree programs that fit their schedules and meet them where they are. We ensure students are gaining advanced communication, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and analytical skills and strategies they can take into the real world while staying on track for graduation. We remain committed to helping students develop their skills as communicators to thrive in their personal, professional, and public lives. Students can develop their skills by joining MSU Denver Debate which has gained local and national recognition for its work and offers international debate and cultural exchange opportunities or MSU Denver's chapter of Lambda Pi Eta (LPH), the National Communication Association's official honor society at four-year colleges and universities which offers networking events.

The department has 13 full-time faculty, approximately 40 affiliate faculty, and approximately 250 declared majors within the Department. The Department's staff consists of one Program Assistant and various academic advisors who are shared with other departments.

Position Summary

The Department of Communication Studies at MSU Denver invites candidates to apply for a full-time Lecturer of Communication Studies to serve as the coordinator of our oral communication courses (COMM 1010 Presentational Speaking and COMM 1100 Fundamentals of Oral Communication). This is a 12 month position (with a full-time 9 month faculty academic year contract, plus additional 3 month summer work). The position has a reduced teaching load (4:4) during the academic year, and summer work would be dedicated to the administration of COMM 1010 and COMM 1100. This faculty position will begin Fall 2025.

The ideal candidate would be tuned in to best teaching practices in a post-pandemic world. This means that the person can design and assess online and in person courses that maximize active engagement with and among students. We welcome candidates who offer a critical approach to public speaking pedagogy, which can take a number of forms, such as nonwestern epistemologies, critiques of colonialism, or an interest in Spanish-English oral communication.

This person will also serve as a liaison between the Department of Communication Studies and other administrative units pertaining to matters related to the general studies courses. Successful candidates will demonstrate their ability to teach in department courses fulfilling general studies requirements.

Responsibilities

• Teaching 24 credits each year (4:4)
• Coordinating the basic functions of the COMM 1010/1100 oral communication courses
• Assisting with various projects related to assessment and maintenance of COMM 1010/1100

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in Communication Studies, Communication, Speech Communication, or closely related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to teach successfully in a wide variety of course delivery modes, including online asynchronous, hybrid synchronous, and HyFlex courses as well as advanced understanding of Canvas LMS and familiarity with online public speaking platforms (GoReact, etc.)
• Experience working with and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse urban student population including (but not limited to) students of color, LBGTQ+ students, students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, students with disabilities, nontraditional students, student veterans, and English language learners
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are most interested in finding the candidate who will best contribute to our Department and the University.

Salary for Announcement

This is a 12 month position (with a full time 9 month faculty academic year contract, plus additional 3 month summer work at .66 FTE). The 9 month contract salary range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000. The full time summer administrative responsibilities are remunerated separately. The opportunity for summer teaching for additional compensation may also be available.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, education, experience, specialty and training.

MSU Denver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, free RTD pass, and more. For a brief overview of these options, please visit our Benefits section.

Instructions to Apply

Interested applicants must apply online at MSU Denver's career site, https://msudenver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/MSUDenver and search for JR103788.

To help us evaluate your potential as a faculty member at MSU Denver, please submit the following required materials:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial graduate transcripts
• A list of three references and their contact information

Due to volume of applications received, incomplete applications may not be reviewed; please ensure you have uploaded all required documents into the Resume/Cover letter section of the application.

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Deadline

Applications accepted until position filled; priority given to applications received through Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST.

Open Until Filled

The University's benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as accessto a long-term disability (LTD) plan.Visit MSU Denver'sbenefits websiteto learn more.

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Background Checks

Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.