POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Director of Forensics and Debate

The Division of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs (CCPA) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) invites nominations and applications for a communication scholar/practitioner to develop and direct a Forensics and Debate program. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds interested in working in an exciting interdisciplinary program that integrates communication theory and practice in innovative and provocative ways. Located in the Meadows School of the Arts, the Division offers opportunities for interaction and collaboration with colleagues in the fine and performing arts, as well as our related divisions of advertising, journalism, and cinema and television. The candidate selected will have numerous opportunities to work in an increasingly diverse and globally connected community at the university and in Dallas/Forth Worth.

Minimum Qualifications: Applications must have a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree, with a record of successful national level coaching experience in debate and individual events and teaching experience in the area of rhetoric, persuasion, public communication, argumentation and advocacy, and/or critical/cultural studies. 

Preferred Qualifications. We seek an emerging or established teacher/scholar whose record reflects an appreciation of methodological and theoretical diversity within the field of communication, a commitment to interdisciplinary and interdivisional collaboration, the ability to develop and nurture a nationally competitive forensics program, and a willingness to mentor students in our Mock Trial program.   

Application
Send letter of cover letter of application highlighting qualifications, complete curriculum vitae, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and three letters of recommendation to:

Dr. Mark Lawrence McPhail, Search Committee Chair
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750113
Dallas, TX  75275-0113

ccpa@smu.edu
214-768-1574 (coordinator, Becky Hewitt)

To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be postmarked by January 1, 2008; the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.  The committee will notify applicants of its employment decision at the completion of the search. Position begins August 2008.  We encourage electronic applications.

The Division of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs (CCPA)
The Division of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs (CCPA) currently serves approximately 200 undergraduate majors and minors, and offers courses in public and professional communication that prepare students for work in politics and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and graduate education.  The Division is committed to developing a nationally competitive forensics and debate program, and enhancing support for Southern Methodist University’s existing Mock Trial program, which is located in CCPA. We are committed to developing a competitive undergraduate forensics program and a graduate program in public and professional communication. 

SMU
SMU is an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. Explore Virtual SMU at http://www.smu.edu. Our beautifully shaded campus of Georgian-Revival-inspired architecture is situated in the heart of Dallas.
 
SMU will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.  SMU is also committed to the principle of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.