Communication Studies Professor - Part-Time

Who We Are

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State with a thriving and diverse community of over 200,000 residents. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

To grow our workforce, we are seeking creative, collaborative faculty who are reflective of the diverse community we serve. Tacoma Community College is a public Associate- and Bachelor's-granting institution that serves a student-body of approximately 12,000 students. Our students are 27% students of color, 60% female, and have a median age of 26. We embrace our identity as a community college. Our faculty are engaged in innovative work to improve student retention and program completion, and community success. According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, TCC ranks high on measures of active learning and academic challenge, thanks to our creative and scholarly faculty.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Regional Setting
For information on Tacoma and the surrounding area: https://www.tacomacc.edu/tcc-life/life_in_tacoma

Part-Time Faculty positions at the college are open continuous and reviewed on a quarter by quarter basis. Individuals who apply to the applicant pool are considered active for a period of 12 months from the application date and may be contacted when vacancies occur. Submitting an application does not guarantee that a position will be available or offered.

Position Highlights
This position is responsible for preparing and teaching courses in Communication Studies.

Essential Functions

• Prepare, teach, and assess outcomes in assigned courses in accordance with department and college standards
• Assess student learning and use data to improve teaching and learning
• Maintain current knowledge in the field of composition and effective pedagogy
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communication Studies, Speech, or closely related field from an accredited college or university

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a criminal background check.

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate

• Ethics, integrity, and sound professional judgment
• Commitment to ensuring equitable access within the learning environment, including but not limited to considerations related to cost; universal design for learning (UDL); and the integration of culturally relevant teaching practices
• Commitment to and respect for diverse views and opinions in the classroom and in the workplace
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff from diverse backgrounds
• Commitment to developing and implementing instructional strategies and practices that enhance student success, particularly those that support and enhance outcomes for traditionally underserved populations
• Ability to integrate non-traditional delivery methods, as appropriate, to teach students of varying backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles
• Competence to teach a variety of courses and to review and develop curriculum.
• Effective classroom management skills, including the ability to facilitate and navigate challenging conversations related to differing points of view
• Commitment to integrating educational technologies as an instructional aid in and out of the classroom
• Commitment to functioning as an effective team member
• Commitment to participate in ongoing academic and professional work to strengthen the department, division, campus and our community
• Commitment to professional growth.

Qualifications

Application Materials & Procedures
Complete application packages must include the following:

1. Tacoma Community College online application.
2. Resume & cover letter describing how your educational background and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications.
3. UNOFFICIAL copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.

Terms of Employment
This is a part time faculty position contracted on a quarterly basis. Part time faculty salary range is per credit hour starting at $1,244.36 - $1,457.68 . Salary ranges are subject to any approved COLA's after initial placement. If applicable, Lab credit hours are paid at 50% the credit hour rate. Professional Services hours are paid at a flat rate of $46.00-$46.00 per hour. Placement on the faculty salary schedule will commensurate with educational background and experience per the 2024 Faculty Negotiated Agreement (Article 4.00 Academic Employee Compensation ). Part-time faculty may become eligible for healthcare and retirement benefits at the beginning of the second consecutive quarter of half-time or more employment at one or more Washington state institutions of higher education. Half time is determined based on each institution's definition of full time. Members may 'stack' workloads between other qualifying colleges. A part-time faculty member must qualify each quarter they teach, to maintain eligibility. Once eligible, part-time faculty will be notified of their benefit and retirement options. Tacoma Community College offers offers one personal leave day per academic year if the PTF have been awarded a multi-quarter appointment. Sick leave is awarded every quarter based on the full-time equivalent teaching percent. If eligibility requirements are met, a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/. A collective bargaining agreement exist and membership in the TCC Federation of Teachers or payment of a service fee and is available anytime upon hire. Evening and off campus assignments may be a part of the instructional load. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the department. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Student Clearinghouse. International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency.

Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Student Affairs Administration Office at 253-566-5115. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.