General Job Summary

Kirkwood Community College is seeking part-time Communication faculty members to teach Fundamentals of Oral Communication beginning in the Fall 2026 semester (8/24/26–12/11/26). We are looking for instructors to teach in person at Benton High School as well as at Kirkwood’s Main Campus in Cedar Rapids.

This hiring pool is intended to support Fall 2026 instructional needs, with a strong likelihood of additional teaching opportunities in Spring 2027 and future semesters based on departmental needs and instructor availability.

Adjunct faculty positions are temporary, part-time positions scheduled intermittently based on institutional need. Adjuncts are not guaranteed work in any semester and are notified of course assignments prior to each term as courses become available.

Universal Core Competencies

• Advocate for Continual Improvement - empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability - working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service - anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance - commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead - regardless of title, through positive influence.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Teach Fundamentals of Oral Communication courses in alignment with departmental learning outcomes, established curriculum, and approved course syllabi.
• Create an engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that promotes student success, communication skill development, and active participation.
• Prepare and deliver effective instruction using a variety of teaching strategies and instructional technologies appropriate for college and concurrent enrollment students.
• Organize and maintain course materials, assignments, grades, and communication through the College’s learning management systems and instructional platforms.
• Evaluate student learning through speeches, presentations, discussions, written work, and other course assessments, while providing timely, constructive, and meaningful feedback.
• Maintain accurate student records, including attendance, grades, and progress reporting, in accordance with college policies and deadlines.
• Communicate professionally and responsively with students, faculty, staff, high school partners, and college administrators.
• Support student retention and success by referring students to appropriate campus resources and support services when needed.
• Maintain current course syllabi and instructional materials for all assigned courses.
• Participate in required professional development activities as appropriate for adjunct faculty.

Performance Expectations

• Represent Kirkwood Community College in a professional, positive, and student-centered manner with students, colleagues, high school partners, and members of the community.
• Foster an inclusive and welcoming learning environment that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, identities, and experiences.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively teach and communicate course concepts to students with varied academic backgrounds, learning styles, and communication abilities, adapting instructional strategies as needed to support student success.
• Prepare for and facilitate all assigned class sessions, speeches, activities, assessments, and final course requirements as scheduled.
• Maintain professional and collaborative working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Maintain accurate course records, including attendance, grades, and student progress, in accordance with college policies and published deadlines.
• Verify student enrollment and report attendance as required for institutional and financial aid purposes.
• Provide timely, respectful, and constructive communication and feedback to students regarding coursework, performance, and course expectations.
• Submit midterm and final grades accurately and by established college deadlines.
• Respond in a timely manner to departmental, staff, and administrative communications, including requests related to instructional materials, assessment initiatives, and student support concerns.
• Participate in departmental assessment and accreditation-related activities by providing requested course or student learning data as needed.
• Monitor and respond to Kirkwood email and other official college communication systems regularly during the workweek.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Activities with/without Reasonable Accommodation

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

Minimum Qualifications

• A conferred Master’s degree by date of appointment from an accredited institution with:
  • At least 12 graduate hours in a combination of Speech, Communication, English, Drama/Theater, Homiletics, Linguistics, Mass Media, Speech, Pathology, or Rhetoric. At least 18 graduate hours in a combination of Speech, Communication, English, Drama/Theater, Homiletics, Linguistics, Mass Media, Speech, Pathology, or Rhetoric coursework.
  • At least 6 of the 18 graduate hours must be in Speech or Communication.

Preferred Qualifications, Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations

• Previous teaching experience at a community college or in concurrent/dual-enrollment settings.
• Experience teaching college-level Communication or Public Speaking courses, particularly Fundamentals of Oral Communication.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and support students with diverse academic backgrounds, communication abilities, and learning needs.
• Experience incorporating active learning, discussion-based instruction, collaborative activities, and student-centered teaching strategies into the classroom.
• Familiarity with instructional technologies and learning management systems used in higher education.
• Experience teaching or supporting oral, written, and workplace communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with multilingual students and/or English Language Learners (ELLs).
• Coursework, training, or professional development in college pedagogy, communication instruction, or related teaching practices.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with a commitment to student