Details
Posted: 26-Jan-25
Location: Palatine, Illinois
Type: Full-time
Harper College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened its doors in September 1967. Named after Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago, the College carries forward this legacy of innovation in education.
Today, Harper College stands as one of the nation's premier community colleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000 students annually in Chicago's northwest suburbs. Our academic programs are designed to prepare students for rewarding careers and seamless transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers a wide range of associate degree and certification programs, advanced career tracks, workforce training, professional development opportunities, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults, and developmental education programs.
At Harper College, we are committed to facilitating active learning and fostering the knowledge, critical thinking, and life/work skills necessary for participation in our global society. We collaborate with our community partners to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and economic fabric of our district. We believe that excellence in education must thrive within an ethical environment of integrity and respect. We recognize that the strength of our society is rooted in diversity, and it is through synergy that we achieve excellence. Our core values--Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence--guide everything we do.
For the second consecutive time, Harper College is a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's most prestigious recognition for community colleges that are attaining high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Latine students and those from lower-income backgrounds.
Twenty colleges are vying for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program's 2025 Prize. Harper was also one of the 25 semifinalists for the 2023 prize.
Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI)
In 2023, Harper College was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPISI)
This designation provides federal funding to enhance educational programs and support services for Latine and underrepresented students.
Latine students make up about 30% of Harper's enrollment, reflecting the College's pride in its HSI status.
Equity and Diversity Award
Harper College received the 2023 Equity and Diversity Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA).
The award honors leadership in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity for underrepresented groups.
Harper previously won this award in 2017
Schedule Information: The successful candidate is expected to teach 30 contact hours each year in the Communication Arts Department. In addition to teaching 30 contact hours per academic year, a full-time faculty member serves on departmental, divisional and institutional committees; holds six office hours per week (some of which must be on campus); and pursues professional development opportunities related to discipline and pedagogy. Evening and weekend instruction may be required. Instruction may take place in face-to-face, online, blended, and flex formats.
Weeks per fiscal year: Faculty are covered under a 9-month contract period (August through May) - We seek a full-time colleague to begin in August, 2025.
Benefits: Health, Dental, Life & Disability Insurance; Sick and Holiday pay; Personal Business; Educational Assistance: Tuition Waivers at Harper & Professional Expense
The Communication Arts Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered, diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position specializing in Theatre & Communication. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to, Introduction to Theater, Acting I & II, and our introductory public speaking course that meets a general education requirement for students.
The Communication Arts program provides theory and training in the skills essential to equipping students to be effective communicators in various professions. Through theater and communication training, our students can develop confidence, enhance their public speaking abilities, and master the art of persuasion. They also learn to analyze and adapt their communication style to different audiences, collaborate effectively in teams, and use storytelling to engage and inspire others. These skills prepare them for careers in media, education, public relations, corporate communication, and the performing arts.
Harper College provides excellent facilities to students and faculty in the Communication Arts program. The college has the following labs and facilities as part of the learning environment: our Black box Theater, Mainstage Theater, Media Lab, and video-enhanced classrooms.
The successful candidate will be able to teach various introductory courses to students of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of college readiness using traditional and alternative delivery methods. We encourage interested candidates to familiarize themselves with our course offerings. This position teaches a standard load of fifteen (15) credit hours per semester (30 credits per academic year) consisting chiefly of Communication and Theater courses. This may include reassign time to be given for chair/coordinator duties. Classes may be offered in day, evening, or online modalities. They may also have the opportunity to teach in the Honors Program, Social Justice Studies Program, and "linked" courses (through the college's Learning Communities Program).
Candidates should possess strong expertise in theater and be proven able to teach acting theory, practical acting skills, and theater history. The ideal candidate should also have experience directing mainstage and/or black box productions and be committed to directing at least one major production for the college each year. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate proficiency in guiding students through theater production's creative and technical aspects, fostering their artistic development both on and off the stage.
While theater is the primary focus, candidates should also be skilled in teaching the fundamentals of communication. Experience teaching introductory communication courses and the ability to integrate communication theory into performance-based learning will further enrich students' educational experience.
Qualifications:
Candidates must meet BOTH of the following criteria to teach Theatre and Speech courses:
- A Master's degree in Theatre or Performing Arts or a Master's degree in a related field with at least 18 graduate credit hours in Theatre or Performing Arts.
- A Master's degree in Communication or Speech or a Master's degree in a related field with at least 18 graduate credit hours in Communication or Speech.
Applicants holding interdisciplinary degrees (e.g., Communication, Media, and Theatre, or Speech/Theatre Education) that satisfy the above criteria are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants who hold a primary master's degree in one of the fields and 18 graduate hours in the secondary field (either Speech or Theatre) are also encouraged to apply.
Preferred Qualifications:
- College-level teaching experience in Speech and/or Theatre.
- Experience in directing theatre productions (musical and non- musical)
- A commitment to student-centered learning and innovative teaching practices.
- Experience designing curriculum that supports diverse learners.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate technology and multimedia into the classroom.
Key Responsibilities:
- Teach courses in Theatre, Speech, and related fields as assigned.
- Develop and revise curriculum to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
- Collaborate with colleagues on department initiatives and co-curricular activities.
- Engage in ongoing professional development and institutional service.
- Direct a minimum of one main stage production each academic year.
Application Review Date: Applications are accepted until the position is filled, though priority will be given to applications received on or before February 14, 2025
*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:
CV/Resume (Does not substitute for completed application)
Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from Regionally accredited institutions
A one page single-spaced statement of your teaching philosophy. In your teaching philosophy, please include how you approach classroom management, how you assess students, and how you use instructional technology.
*Official transcripts required upon hire.
*Employment is contingent upon a Criminal Background Check
*Employment Sponsorship is not available
Harper College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an inclusive learning and working environment where individual differences and identities are respected, valued and embraced. We encourage women, people from historically underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.
