Assistant/Associate Teaching Professor

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking an Assistant/Associate Teaching Professor, Director of Online Programs

Job description:

• Direct the online MS degree in Mechanical Engineering.  The first year will consist of training with the current Director, after which the directorship will transition to the new hire.  Responsibilities include visioning and planning for the program, engagement with prospective students, serving as the primary point of contact and advisor for students currently enrolled in the program, teaching the World Campus (WC) sections of the graduate colloquium course for onboarding (WC ME590.001) and continuing students (WC ME590.002) in the Fall and Spring semesters.

• In year one, propose a new capstone-based WC MSME option, develop the new ME graduate capstone course, and shepherd the new program and course the through the Graduate School approval processes.  After the new program and new course are approved, teach the grad capstone course in Fall and Spring semesters.  Once the new program is successfully launched, grow enrollment in the WC MSME program, and make the capstone-based option available to resident MSME students.

• Teach other classes for ME as assigned in Fall and Spring semesters.

Responsibilities:

Visioning and Planning

• Work with World Campus for marketing and programmatic review

• Work with University Quality Management Individuals to confirm all World Campus materials for each semester

• Work with undergraduate and graduate offices to arrange course offerings

• Interface with Office of Digital Learning, Office of Accessibility, and Director of Online Pedagogy to prepare faculty to teach online

• Interface with faculty as they prepare to teach or offer new courses online

• Serve as outward “face” of the program to interface with potential industry partners or to the department

• Answer questions from other departments about how our policies, processes, etc. work

• Advocate for technological needs and/or resolve dilemmas as they arise keeping needs of WC students centered

• Maintain updated database of students and contact information (both personal and PSU)

• Analyze data and provide reports to department as necessary

Engagement with Prospective Students

• Engage with prospective students in bi-weekly emails sent to those who fill letter of interest or have a partially-complete application

• Answer emails for prospective students; have zoom meetings with prospective and incoming students

• Interface with the Grad Office staff for policy-related concerns, student progress and milestones

• Grant resume studies forms and advise individual admitted students to courses or plans of study that are optimal for them

• Admissions for Fall and Spring semesters; coordinate with Grad Office to admit in the appropriate systems

Advisor for Current World Campus Students

• Prepare and send orientation emails to incoming students each semester

• Prepare and send mid-semester check in emails to all world campus students with information about upcoming offerings

• Advise students nearing the end of their time in degree about final steps

• Audit transcripts as requested to ensure for students they have completed all degree requirements

• Evaluate and prepare transfer credit forms on case by case basis

• Prepare one-off administrative forms for late drops, etc. signing as dedicated advisor

• Schedule meetings as needed with current World Campus students

• Deal with any fringe cases as needed in consultation with the Grad Office, Department, and/or University in alignment with policy

• Respond in a timely manner to WC student questions and requests

• Research matching for students anticipating completing ME 596; broker emails between faculty and WC students; answer faculty and student questions about the process

• Interface with ARL faculty as needed

Instructor for Onboarding and Orientation Sections tailored to WC Needs

• Teach onboarding section of WC ME 590.001 in Spring and Fall

  • Ensure all students complete SARI and CITI requirements

  • Pass results to Grad office to log milestones

  • Prepare students for competencies required by other portions of the grad program (e.g., literature searching, synthesis, etc.)

  • Host office hours and build community

• Teach WC ME 590.002 in Spring and Fall

  • Continue preparing students for graduate competencies noting needs of WC students

  • Host office hours and build community

Qualifications:

• A PhD in Engineering Education, Mechanical Engineering, or related field by the start date.

Candidates should submit a cover letter describing their interest in the position, and a full CV. 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit ourBenefits Page.

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