Director of Information Technology Programs/Professor of the Practice

Job Description

Continue Position Overview:
This faculty position is expected to teach undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Cybersecurity, and Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Applied Data Analytics), and graduate (Master of Science in Information Technology) Information Technology programs and certificates. These programs are offered at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas. The candidate will be expected to teach in various formats, such as in person, hybrid, and online.

Learn more about the Information Technology programs at:
Information Technology: Academic Information School of Professional Studies.

The appointment is a Fiscal Year (12-month) appointment with an initial term of 3 years, with a course load of 3 classes each fall and spring semester and 2 courses each summer semester. Subsequent appointments may be offered, contingent upon a satisfactory comprehensive performance evaluation during the final year of this appointment and approval of the Dean of the School of Professional Studies.

Special consideration will be given to applicants committed to excellence who can contribute to the University's innovative, collaborative, and multidisciplinary initiatives to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that will change the world.

This position serves the educational needs of a Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) program. Specific percentages of effort for JCERT are determined each year. The KU Edwards Campus is in Overland Park, Kansas.

KU Benefits: KU offers an array of benefits to assist employees with their health, life, retirement, and other needs. Details regarding benefits offered to employees can be found here: Benefits Human Resource Management (ku.edu)
In addition, the program director provides an important link to other programs at the campus with similar content knowledge.
KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Job Description:
Program Leadership - 50%
Program Coordination:

• Course Scheduling: Coordinates the development of the course schedules with Edwards Campus student needs in mind. Promotes best practice in course scheduling with student feedback. The program leader will collaborate with other program and unit leaders to support the development and integration of communication curriculum and student competency development into other academic and continuing education programs. Develops a two- or three-year course rotation plan.
• Course Staffing: Develops plans for staffing of the courses to be taught with the appropriate mix of faculty (tenure-track, professor of the practice, teaching professor, lecturer).
• Program Budgets: Works with the Edwards Campus and School of Professional Studies administration to develop and manage the budgets for the information technology-related programs.
• Program Records and Reports: In conjunction with the Edwards Campus and School of Professional Studies administration responsible for the management and maintenance of all program records, and preparation of reports in accordance with School and University procedures and policies.
• The program director should be receptive to questions, complaints, grievances, and suggestions from the members of the program, both academic and staff personnel, and from students. The program director has the responsibility to take appropriate actions as required and in accordance with the policies and rules of the School and University.

Program Supervision:

• Develop mechanisms to receive constant feedback from the relevant constituencies, including the creation of an advisory board and participation in professional meetings to ensure the continued relevance of the curriculum to meet student and workforce needs.
• Manages searches, appointments, compensations, evaluations, reviews, teaching assignments, professional development, promotions, merit raises, and dismissals.
• Provides mentoring and leadership for faculty, particularly those seeking promotion.

Curriculum Development/Management and Instructional Oversight:

• Develop mechanisms to receive constant feedback from the relevant constituencies, including the creation of an advisory board and participation in professional meetings to ensure the continued relevance of the curriculum to meet student and workforce needs.
• Identify program goals for students in appropriate language for marketing.
• Work with faculty, staff, and the KU Center for Online and Distance Learning to transition/maintain courses for online delivery. Continuously monitor online course offerings to ensure content remains relevant and refreshed on a regular basis.

Recruitment: Oversees student recruitment activities

• Defines recruitment messages for the program and audiences; collaborates with campus marketing to maintain and regularly update web content, market program-specific events.
• Determines enrollment goals in and tracks data in relation to these goals.
• Participates in the development of recruitment plans.
• Participates in recruitment and orientation activities coordinated by the recruiter/advisor and Edward Campus staff.
• Identifies and participates in community engagement activities - partner with campus business development team and local community leaders to build program awareness in the community through presentations and panel participations with local professional associations, chambers of commerce, and specific business, government and non-profit organizations related to one's academic program.

Student Career-Related Advising: Defines professional career path advising and works with KU Career Center and Edwards Campus staff to provide career services to student.

• Provides mentoring for students on career and educational choices
• Advises students on job hunting and professional networking

Program Quality and Assessment: Ensures curriculum and teaching pedagogy meets workforce and student needs.

• Collaborates with Edwards Campus faculty governance and the Center for Faculty and Academic Administration to deliver Edwards Campus-based teaching improvement programs.
• Ensures that teaching provides students both theory and practical exposure to the discipline, including guest speakers, service learning, internships, etc.
• Oversees the development of initial program curriculum given market research and competitor analysis. Ensures continued relevance of the curriculum to meet student needs.
• Develops mechanisms to receive consistent feedback from the relevant professional communities in the Kansas City metro area, including advisory board and participation in professional associations.
• Oversees elective approvals
• Conduct annual program reviews and develop/manage formal assessment mechanisms to ensure program coherence and full compliance with guidelines and policies of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), and industry accreditation authorities.
• Manage accreditations of the Information Technology-related programs, as applicable.

Teaching - 40%
Teach four courses per calendar year in the JCERT and non-JCERT information technology-related programs identified above at the Edwards Campus or online.
Teaching responsibilities include:

• Curriculum development
• Instructional design
• Classroom management
• Grading and teaching improvement in relation to student and colleague feedback
• Keeping curriculum up-to-date and engaging with external organizations to ensure relevance to a variety of workplace needs
• Adhering to program, School, and University policies and standards.

In addition to the regular class teaching schedule, it is expected that transitioning courses to online, hybrid, and different length formats as needed will be part of the position responsibilities.

Service - 10%
Serves as a member of the School of Professional Studies Academic Program Leadership Team.

• Contributes to the service mission of the university.
• Participates regularly in the School of Professional Studies Academic Council
• Performs community-related service as it relates to recruitment and Edwards Campus and program outreach efforts.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, , Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, , 711 TTY.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a similar discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Years of related experience in Information Technology/Cybersecurity for each rank:
   • Assistant Professor of the Practice: 3-5 years (a Doctorate is required at this rank)
   • Associate Professor of the Practice 5-15 years (a Doctorate is required if <7 years' experience at this rank)
   • Professor of the Practice: 15+ years
3. Excellence in written communication and presentation skills as evidenced in application materials and interviews.
4. Minimum three (3) years of leadership experience as evidenced in application materials.
5. Involvement in relevant industry associations and communities as evidenced in application materials.
6. Demonstrated experience in online teaching and course design as evidenced in application materials and interviews.
7. Ability to use technology to enhance student learning as evidenced by application materials and interviews

Position Overview

The Director of Information Technology Programs/Professor of the Practice is both an Administrative and Teaching position. This position serves a 3-year limited term, which may be renewed pending a comprehensive evaluation. The director serves as the program director for the undergraduate programs in Information Technology (IT) and Applied Cybersecurity, the Bachelor of Professional Studies concentration in Applied Data Analytics, the Master's program in Information Technology, and the associated graduate certificate programs at the Edwards Campus. The program director will work closely with the School of Professional Studies and the Edwards Campus leaders to provide strategic direction for and oversight of these academic programs.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing course development and design (including transitioning courses to different formats, and development of new online and hybrid courses);
• Delivering classroom and online instruction, and providing academic support for these programs;
• Related long-term curriculum development;
• Student recruitment and admission;
• Student retention;
• Supervision of faculty;
• Program budgets;
• Program quality and assessment;
• Community outreach;
• Alumni development.

The University of Kansas, Edwards Campus, School of Professional Studies, Information Technology program seeks an outstanding individual for a non-tenure-track, twelve-month faculty position as a Director and Asst/Assoc/Professor of the Practice for our growing Information Technology program (ITEC). Exceptionally qualified candidates will be considered at advanced levels. The successful candidate will have a professional record in information technology/cybersecurity and teaching, exceptional communication skills, and a strong commitment to educating and developing future project managers. The ideal candidate will have a developed teaching philosophy and a demonstrated desire to inspire students and encourage lifelong learning in information technology/cybersecurity. The candidate will be expected to teach four courses per academic year in the area of information technology or cybersecurity. As a Professor of Practice, the successful candidate has an obligation to maintain a consistent record of distinction through professional activities within the department and community. This position reports to the Associate Dean - Center for Faculty and Academic Administration.

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

1. A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
2. Resume or curriculum vitae.
3. Contact information for three professional references.

Application review begins September 15 2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.