Academic Advisor & Assistant Professor of Instruction
(Non-tenure eligible)
Office of Undergraduate Programs and Advising

The Office of Undergraduate Programs and Advising (OUPA) in the Northwestern University School of Communication (SoC) is seeking to hire two (2) full-time undergraduate academic advisors to join a vibrant, creative and intellectually engaging community committed to supporting undergraduate students’ access to academic, co-curricular, wellness and career resources.

The School of Communication grants two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BSCMN or BACMN) and participates in dual degree programs with the Bienen School of Music and the McCormick School of Engineering. The School offers six undergraduate major programs (Communication Studies, Human Communication Sciences, Dance, Performance Studies, Radio/Television/Film, and Theatre) six minor programs, a robust modular curricula, and a certificate in Music Theatre. The School of Communication is also a key collaborator in offering a Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction.

Students in the School of Communication are assigned to an academic advisor at the time of matriculation and are required to meet with their academic advisor throughout their undergraduate career. Academic advisors serve as resources for students, providing guidance regarding course selection, degree progress, University policies and procedures, campus resources, professional development opportunities and personal goals.

School of Communication undergraduate academic advisors hold appointments in the OUPA and concurrent non-tenure eligible (NTE) teaching-track appointments in academic departments or programs in the School. This position reports to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Advising. Academic advising and related service constitute the primary responsibilities of these positions.
These positions are located on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus in the greater Chicago area.

Employment term: This is a 10-month, non-tenure eligible (NTE) faculty appointment.
Renewable annually. Salary is competitive based upon experience.

Preferred Start: On or before September 1, 2022

Closing Date: June 30, 2022; Review of applications will begin immediately.

Primary Responsibilities:

Academic Advising (75%)
• Manage a cohort of approximately 150 School of Communication undergraduate students from their time of admission through graduation
• Convene individual and group meetings with advisees and participate in Undergraduate Programs and Advising activities and working groups
• Provide accurate, current information on undergraduate curricular programs, School and University policies, procedures, and academic requirements
• Assist students with enrollment transactions and program changes (ex: declaration of minors and modules, interschool transfers, term leaves
• Maintain a shared system of notes and documentation to track and support student progress
• Serve as liaison to selected academic departments and schools as assigned; work with department chairs, program directors, and administrative staff to ensure accuracy and consistency in communication of program requirements
• Assist with the planning and implementation of student engagement efforts, including but not limited to information sessions for prospective students, new student orientation (Wildcat Welcome), academic probation and midterm warning support
• Assist the OUPA Associate and Assistant Deans in addressing School and University priorities
• Participate in OUPA, SoC and University activities, committees, working groups and initiatives as relevant and appropriate. These include, but are not limited to: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Honors Convocation, awards and Commencement activities

Curricular Support & Teaching (25%)
• Assist the OUPA with curricular initiatives, assessments, and special projects within the School of Communication, most notably summer “bridge” programming, modules, first-year and senior seminars and the suite of EPICS internship courses
• Teach 2 courses or their equivalent in The School of Communication each academic year
The academic calendar yields heavier and lighter periods of work, and may require some evening and weekend events.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Terminal degree or equivalent experience in a related discipline reflected in the school’s major offerings, student personnel administration, higher education administration, or counseling and guidance from an accredited college or university
• Primary commitment to long-term, student-centered academic advising evidenced by college level experience mentoring, advising and/or teaching
• Familiarity with curricular development and support, contemporary issues that impact student success, assessment, and technology
• Experience teaching or otherwise working with undergraduates that demonstrates the potential for excellence in the classroom and in advising
• Interest in becoming an active faculty member of a School of Communication department or program
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills and attention to detail
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in establishing and maintaining good working relationships and federal privacy regulations (FERPA)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a creative and dynamic environment

Preferred Qualifications:
• Demonstrated experience supporting first-generation, low-income (FGLI) and historically underrepresented and minoritized students
• Interdisciplinary interests and expertise teaching in one or more of the following areas: media production, acting, development of the actor's use of the voice for performance for the stage, dance history, dance technique, and/or professional development

Application Documents:
Applications will only be accepted via online submission to our recruiting system. For full consideration, please be sure to include the following materials in your application:
• Cover letter describing relevant interests, preparation, and experience; candidates should specifically address how previous experiences relate to minimum and preferred qualifications
• Current CV
• Teaching evaluations (teaching experience)
• Advising evaluations (advising philosophy, if applicable)
• Three (3) contacts for letters of recommendation, of which at least one should address teaching qualifications

Forward questions regarding the position to Search Committee Chair, Lori Barcliff-Baptista. For more information about the Department, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Programs & Advising online.

The School:
The School of Communication has five departments and offers a suite of interdisciplinary undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs. The departments span the communication arts and sciences including the Department of Radio-Television-Film, the Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Department of Communication Studies, the Department of Performance Studies, and the Department of Theatre (which includes music theatre and dance). The faculty of over 180 includes 102 tenure-track faculty. The school offers instruction to roughly 1000 undergraduate majors and 650 graduate and professional students. Founded over 135 years ago, the School has been a leader in developing the communication disciplines and professions, and continues to be a center of excellence in the communication arts and sciences. Our current Dean is E. Patrick Johnson.

The University:
Northwestern University is one of the nation’s largest private research universities. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, the main campus is in Evanston and the medical campus is 12 miles south in downtown Chicago. There is continuing expansion of University facilities and programs, particularly in the sciences and medicine. Diverse cultural, social, and recreational activities abound on and near each campus. We are committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive campus community and principles of inclusive teaching.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For information on EEO is the Law
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf.