Augsburg University is hiring: Adjunct Faculty: Communication Studies and Journa

Company Description

Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate degrees to approximately 3,400 students of diverse backgrounds. The trademark of an Augsburg education is its emphasis on direct, personal experience. Guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.

Among the distinctive features of the university are its deep dedication to civic and community engagement, robust undergraduate research programs, and a strong belief in the integration of liberal arts and professional studies across all programs. The University's commitments to our urban context and the world beyond it are enhanced through the work of four signature centers: the Christensen Center for Vocation, the Center for Global Education and Experience, the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. 

As part of Augsburg University's commitment to intentional diversity, 50% of our current student body identifies as Black, Indigenous, and persons of color. The emerging interdisciplinary Department of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies builds on this foundation to further diversify our academic curriculum and co-curricular programs. We do this work out of historical and contemporary obligations rooted in our ethical and intellectual commitments to prepare our diverse student body for a cosmopolitan world.

Augsburg's Statement of Commitment to Equity
We believe that education is the key to healthy, meaningful and productive lives for individuals, as well as to the vibrancy of our democracy. Augsburg University is dedicated to achieving an educational experience free from the barriers of poverty, racism, and discrimination so that students can fully realize their unique gifts. Recognizing that higher education's democratic promise is compromised by systemic and systematic barriers to college access and completion, Augsburg is called to stand for equity in everything we do to fulfill our academic mission, serve our students and engage our fellow citizens.
 

Job Description

The Department of  Communication Studies, Film, and New Media Department at Augsburg University invites applications for adjunct faculty positions to teach undergraduate courses in 2025. 

This search will establish a “pool” of instructors if such openings occur during Spring, Summer, or Fall of 2025. Applicants may be selected from this pool on an as-needed basis throughout the year. 

The department is distinctive as an active, liberal arts program in the middle of a vibrant, urban arts and media community. We value collaborations with professionals, as they provide resources and opportunities for student learning and professional development. Our department encourages innovative interdisciplinary practice. We offer programs in the fundamentals of communication, strategic communication, applied communication, digital and print journalism, public relations, social media, marketing, promotional communication, among others. In addition, our department offers majors in film production, film studies, new media, web design, and game design, and adjunct positions for those courses are listed separately. 

Responsibilities for this position include teaching undergraduate major courses and lower division, non-major courses. 

Such courses may include:

• Public speaking
• Introduction to communication studies
• Business and professional communication
• Science and technical communication
• Environmental communication
• Interpersonal communication
• Small group communication
• Organizational communication
• Intercultural communication
• Nonverbal communication
• Journalism- print, digital, multimedia
• Argumentation
• Persuasion
• Other courses as needed.

Available courses vary by term. Most classes are held during the day, 2-3 days per week. In addition to teaching the class and grading student work, instructors are expected to respond to student questions through email, hold regularly scheduled office hours, reach out to students with course progress information, and communicate regularly with the course coordinator. A course syllabus with calendar, textbook and homework selection, sample activities and exams, and shared office space are typically provided. Most classes are taught in-person on our Minneapolis campus. Each course requires approximately 12-15 hours/week for 15-16 weeks. 

The successful candidate will possess both a high level of intercultural competency and a commitment to inclusive practice and authentic representation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Subject to the collective bargaining agreement with SEIU, Local 284
• $5,500 to $6,550 per course*
• Eligible for 1-1.5% retirement contribution match
• Tuition discount for employees and dependents
• Transit pass discount
• Not eligible for healthcare benefits

​​​​​​​Please note that due to employment law and payroll regulations, we can only employ adjunct faculty who reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This restriction applies even to courses taught online.

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to student engagement and student success with a diverse group of learners.

Preferred Qualifications
Appropriate terminal degree is preferred (PhD, MFA)

Minimum Qualifications
Masters degree or equivalent in relevant field, and a demonstrated ability to create an engaging, dynamic, personalized classroom experience. 

Master's Degree or equivalent is required, although for certain courses candidates with significant professional experience and a master's or equivalent may be preferred. Such candidates should have a record of professional activity and teaching experience in two or more of the following areas: marketing communications, public relations, advertising, social media, media relations, crisis communication, organizational communication, new media theory, social media, journalism, digital journalism, and/or another relevant area of interest. Professional activity may be corporate, artistic and/or scholarly.
 

Additional Information

For full consideration, candidates must submit the following information at the time of application: 

• Cover letter 
• Curriculum vita or Resume 
• Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts 

Your cover letter should 

• Highlight your experience or interest in teaching at the university level 
• Identify your general availability during the day and/or evenings; and 
• Indicate whether you are interested in in-person or synchronous online teaching (or either). 

Professional references may be requested at a later date.

Among the distinctive features of the University are its deep dedication to civic and community engagement, robust undergraduate research programs, and a strong belief in the integration of liberal arts and professional studies across all programs. The University's commitment to the local neighborhood and the world is enhanced through the work of four signature centers: the Christensen Center for Vocation, the Center for Global Education, the Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning, and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. Augsburg's commitment to diversity is reflected in the student body: for the past four years, students of color comprised nearly 40 percent of the incoming first-year class. With approximately 1,000 students living on campus, Augsburg engages students in a wide range of co-curricular activities, including NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics. At both undergraduate and graduate levels, students actively engage in international travel and intercultural experiences that broaden their view of the world and deepen their engagement in it. Augsburg's main campus is located in the vibrant Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, one of the most diverse areas in the Twin Cities. The University of Minnesota West Bank campus and one of the city's largest medical complexes are adjacent to Augsburg; the Mississippi River and the Seven Corners Theatre district are just a few blocks away. In addition to its Minneapolis campus, Augsburg has a vibrant branch campus in Rochester, the fastest growing city in Minnesota and headquarters of the Mayo Health System. In addition to these locations, Augsburg owns and operates international sites in Mexico, Guatemala, and Namibia. Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color or any other protected class. Successful candidates will have demonstrated abilities working in an academic community committed to intentional diversity. Candidates are thus encouraged to highlight skills and experiences that demonstrate intercultural competence. 

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.
 

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.