Writing Center Director College of Communication Boston University

Writing Center Director, College of Communication, Boston University

The Boston University College of Communication (COM) is seeking a Writing Center Director, in the rank of Master Lecturer, to oversee the COM Writing Center and teach media-writing courses to undergraduate and graduate students beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. The Writing Center Director will oversee daily operations of the Writing Center (including hiring and managing writing tutors), implement a rebranding of the Writing Center, explore opportunities to strengthen writing in the College, and engage in activities to elevate the Center’s writing mission. We are especially eager to recruit colleagues who support our institutional commitment to ensuring BU is an environment that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse and where all constituents can thrive.

Lecturers are non-tenure-track faculty members appointed primarily to provide instruction, bringing to the classroom strong teaching skills combined with relevant educational and professional expertise and achievement to create an inclusive learning environment. Lecturers at COM are covered under a collective bargaining agreement with SEIU Local 509, the Massachusetts Union of Human Service Workers and Educators.

Teaching assignments for this position include a Tutor Techniques course for the Writing Tutors and one of the following courses for a total of two courses per semester:

1. CO 201 - Introduction to Communication Writing
2. CM 331 - Writing for Communication
3. CM 520 - The COMmunicator
4. CM 555 - Advanced Writing for Media Professionals
5. CM 703 - Basic Media Writing
6. CM 707 - Writing for Media Professionals

*Candidates interested in this position as well as the “Writing Lecturer” position (which excludes Writing Center Director responsibilities) need only apply once and indicate interest in both positions in their cover letter.

Descriptions of these courses are available at https://www.bu.edu/academics/com/courses/.

Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration, and upholds freedom of expression. The department believes that the cultural and social diversity of our faculty, staff, and students is vitally important to the distinction and excellence of our research and academic programs. To that end, we are especially eager to have colleagues join our ranks who support our institutional commitment to ensuring BU is inclusive, equitable, and diverse.

Qualifications:

Successful candidates will possess degree(s) in a communications field ( e.g., advertising, journalism, public relations, or other media-focused discipline) enabling them to lead courses covering fundamental and advanced topics in corporate, nonprofit, and media writing (appropriate in tone and voice) across a variety of media. A strong background in writing and/or editing in one or more of these areas is essential, as well as the ability to teach and guide students through ethical and correct use of sources. Successful higher-education teaching experience is a must. Experience with DEI-related pedagogy that is inclusive or that creates an inclusive environment is strongly preferred. A background in ESL instruction is also a plus. Supervisory or leadership experience is strongly preferred.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should send a letter of application, a resume or CV, teaching evaluations of a writing course (if available), three writing samples, and names/contact information for three references to Erica Gartelmann, COM Core Division Administrator, at egartel@bu.edu. Review of applications will begin October 15, 2024, and will continue until the positions are filled.

BU conducts a background check on all final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. The background check includes contacting the final candidate’s current and previous employer(s) to ask whether, in the last seven years, there has been a substantiated finding of misconduct violating that employer’s applicable sexual misconduct policies. To implement this process, the University requires a final candidate to complete and sign the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” after execution of an offer letter.