Prof of the Practice-Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness

Program Overview:

The University of Kansas, Edwards Campus, School of Professional Studies, Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness program seeks an outstanding individual for a non-tenure track twelve-month faculty position as a Professor of the Practice (open rank).

The KU Edwards Campus (KUEC) is in Overland Park, Kansas in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. KUEC has been a KU presence in Kansas City for 30 years, playing a crucial role in the Greater Kansas City professional community. The campus now offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, with classes geared toward working professionals available in the evening, online, and in-person.

The KU School of Professional Studies (SPS) was created in 2019 with a vision to transform students' lives and improve communities through innovative, student-focused, and exemplary academic programs that lead to rewarding careers in an array of fields that serve the workforce needs of Kansas and beyond. The School offers a variety of disciplines, course formats, class schedules, student services, aid, and more to meet the needs of students who may work full-time, have considerable commitments outside of the classroom, have prior college-level education, or otherwise need a different approach to earning academic credentials. The School continues to launch new degree programs aimed at supporting the needs of future students and is poised for significant growth over the next five years.

The Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness (HOPE) program is designed to prepare leaders to work across departments, functions, and roles, aligning individual performance with organizational goals. Organizational success is driven by a positive work culture, excellent employee performance, and organizational structures and processes that support clear goals. The HOPE program provides students with grounding in the tools that can be implemented across the organization to achieve such success. The program seeks to create career advancement pathways for professionals in corporate, government, education, and nonprofit organizations. Learn more about the program at Human and Organization Performance Effectiveness (HOPE) | School of Professional Studies.

Our campus and School have a reputation for employing innovative teaching techniques and serving the unique needs of non-traditional students. KUEC and SPS faculty enjoy an interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere focused on supporting faculty in building rewarding careers while improving the success of students we teach. Employees typically enjoy a hybrid work environment, providing sufficient flexibility for a healthy work-life balance.

• Assessment of student work, classroom (in-person and virtual) management, curriculum development, instructional design, and mentoring students with organizational-based projects.
• Faculty are responsible for ensuring relevant and research-based curricula content by engaging with professional communities and KU research experts on a regular basis.
• Engaging instructional design based on the development of competencies through a variety of instructional methods and assessment methods is expected.
• Faculty will foster collaborative and interactive learning environments that encourage critical thinking and meet the diverse needs of students.
• Timely responsiveness to students is expected to enhance the learning journey.

• Supports students through participation in academic advising, student coaching and mentoring.
• Participates in student support programs of the Edwards Campus and the School.
• Participates in initiatives related to student recruitment and engagement with relevant professional associations and communities.
• Seeks to develop and maintain professional networks associated with the HOPE content by participating in conferences, professional development, and maintaining contact with and serving alumni. Participates in the HOPE program, School, Edwards Campus, and University decision-making processes providing advice and assistance with academic and curricular initiatives.

1. Master's in Business Administration, Communication Studies, Education, Human Resources, Instructional Design, Leadership Studies, Organizational Development, or Public Administration, or a similar discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Three years of experience in continuous improvement, organizational development, organizational performance management, organizational systems, process improvement, resource allocation, or strategic planning.
3. Two years of teaching experience (credit or professional development) in continuous improvement, organizational development, organizational performance management, organizational systems, process improvement, resource allocation, and/or strategic planning.
4. Excellence in written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills as evidenced by application materials and interview process.
5. A record of professional accomplishment (e.g., leadership role in profession, professional association, consultancy, etc.) as evidenced in application materials.

Rank of position will be determined based upon years of qualified experience:

• Assistant Professor of the Practice: 3-5 years,
• Associate Professor of the Practice: 6-15 years,
• Professor of the Practice: 16+ years

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.

1. A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualications are met.
2. Resume or curriculum vitae.
3. An example of curriculum developed (please include audience details, instructional outline, presentation notes, and instructional exercises)
4. Contact information for three professional references, at least one of whom has been a supervisor.