Mass Communications Full-Time Tenure Track Faculty

  • Palatine
  • Harper College
Job Description

About us:

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.

Aspen Prize

•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 Mass Communication 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

Responsibilities

The Mass Communication Department at Harper College is actively seeking a student-centered diverse pool of candidates to fill a full-time faculty position specializing in the field of live studio and multicamera production. Successful candidates will assume responsibilities that encompass a broad spectrum of courses, encompassing, but not restricted to motion graphics, multi-camera video production, and post-production techniques.

The Mass Communication program provides theory and training in the skills essential to equipping students to work in the field of media, and to transfer to four year institutions for further study. As we witness continued growth in our department's enrollment, driven by our expanding Audio/Video Arts Technology Certificate program, prospective faculty members are anticipated to play a pivotal role in not only delivering existing courses but also contributing to the development of innovative curricula, certification programs, and academic degrees.

Harper College provides excellent facilities to students and faculty in the Mass Communication program. The college has the following labs and facilities as part of the learning environment. Our department boasts state-of-the-market facilities that include an FM radio station, a podcasting studio, a high-caliber video production studio, a mobile video production unit, and two dedicated classrooms furnished with Apple Workstations equipped with the Adobe Suite. Additionally, we feature a 50-seat movie theater to enhance the overall learning experience.

The successful candidate will be able to teach a wide variety of 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 mass communication technical production courses. This may include reassigned time to be given for chair/coordinator duties. Classes may be offered in day, evening, and/or online modalities and 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).

Qualifications

Educational Requirements: A Master's degree in a media production-related field, at least 18 graduate contact hours must be in media production courses.

Experience Requirements: The following are preferred knowledge, skills, and experiences for a successful candidate:

•At least 2 years of hands-on experience in the realm of professional media production, including multi-camera production, motion graphics, post-production.

•Prior post-secondary teaching experience (with preference given to those who have taught at the community college level), experience with curriculum design, assessment and equipment procurement, are required.

•Proficiency in the use of Adobe Suite within a Macintosh environment, coupled with experience in both instructing and employing this software suite.

•Competence in mobile production.

•Experience in teaching online courses, reflecting an aptitude for remote instruction and digital pedagogical methods.

•Candidates who happen to have prior experience in radio and podcasting will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with our nationally acclaimed, award-winning radio station.

Application Review Date: Applications are accepted until the position is filled though priority will be given to applications received on or before November 14th, 2024.

Special Notes:

*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:

•Cover letter

•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.

About Us

We are Harper College...the college in your community.

The College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened September 1967. It is named for Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago.

Harper College is now one of the nation's premier community colleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 29,000 students annually in Chicago's northwest suburbs. The College's academic programs prepare students for rewarding careers and for transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers associate degree and certification programs, advanced career programs, workforce training, professional development, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults and developmental education programs.