Postdoctoral Fellowship (Public Speaking & Communication Skills)

Job Description
Department:
Center for Academic Success and Transformative Learning
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:Center for Academic Success & Transformative Learning
Temporary, Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

The Colby Center for Academic Success & Transformative Learning (CASTL) was established in the spring of 2023 with strong support from the Office of the Provost and the Dean of Students. CASTL strives to address teaching and learning needs at Colby and to be a leader in national conversations about innovative teaching and learning at small, liberal arts colleges. The mission of the CASTL is to enhance intellectual engagement across the liberal arts curriculum through programs and services that promote collaboration and reflective practices that support effective teaching and learning for faculty and students. The work of Center for Academic Success and Transformative Learning is grounded in the literature and scholarship on effective teaching and learning, informed by the experience of the CASTL staff, enhanced through experiences with Colby faculty and students, and enriched through collaborative relationships that support teaching and learning at Colby.

The CASTL is provides programs that assist faculty in (1) developing relationships that enhance teaching, (2) expanding pedagogical awareness and appreciation, (3) incorporating feedback to inform teaching, (4) designing courses that stimulate learning, (5) integrating knowledge about how learning works to enhance teaching, and (6) deepening diversity and inclusivity at Colby through teaching. The programs offered by the CASTL represent a range of genres – workshops, roundtables, institutes, communities of practice, and consultations – each designed to engage faculty at all career stages at different levels – individually, small groups, cohorts. The CASTL’s outcomes and programming genres welcomes partnerships with other faculty development offices at Colby including Academic Information Technology Services, Research and Instruction Librarians, Colby Writing Program, Special Collections, Colby Museum of Art, and the Dean of Students office to address the teaching needs of faculty.

The CASTL postdoctoral fellowship experience will include a teaching course in the area of public speaking/multimodal communication, engaging in educational development/scholarship of teaching and learning research and promoting inclusive teaching practices through work with faculty, students, and other instructional staff. More importantly, this fellowship will strengthen the impact of the CASTL on the academic culture at Colby by expanding program offerings while promoting scholarly approaches to teaching and learning. Colby College is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment where every member of the community feels a sense of respect and belonging.

This is a temporary one-year position eligible for benefits.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Develop inclusive teaching resources for the campus community that embrace varied/innovative modalities of public speaking and communication skills (verbal, media-based, etc.)
• Develop and offer programs to support public speaking and communication skills for students across a range of academic disciplines
• Work with faculty to explore teaching practices that enhance public speaking and communication skills
• Teach one course per year in public speaking
• Engage in educational development research with CASTL Leadership
• Participate in CASTL assessment efforts
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in public speaking, communications, or related fields
• One to three years of undergraduate teaching experience
• Educational development experience (working with faculty and/or students on teaching & learning)
• Familiarity with a range of teaching frameworks and strategies
• Demonstrated record of collaboration, ideally across various professional and scholarly fields
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Excellent organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail
• Genuine interest in engaging undergraduate students as well as scholars, curators, and artists
• Ability to make an impact through work as a member of a team and diverse community

KEY RELATIONSHIPS :

This position will work closely with the CASTL leadership and leaders of other faculty development centers/programs and will interact regularly with faculty, staff, and students.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT :

Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

TO APPLY :

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the « Apply » button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Postdoctoral Fellowship for Public Speaking & Communication Skills – Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8855

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled