Assist/Assoc/Full Professor of the Practice - Data Analytics
Position Overview
The Data Analytics concentration Program at the University of Kansas (KU) is a new offering developed in the School of Professional Studies, through a partnership between the Information Technology and Professional Studies degree programs. These programs are hosted within the KU Edwards Campus (KUEC) in Overland Park, Kansas located in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. KUEC has been a KU presence in Kansas City for 30 years, playing a crucial role in the Greater Kansas City professional community. The campus now offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs with classes geared toward working professionals, available in the evening, online, and in-person.
The KU School of Professional Studies (SPS) was created in 2019 with a vision to transform student’s lives and improve communities through innovative, student-focused, and exemplary academic programs that lead to rewarding careers in an array of fields that serve the workforce needs of Kansas and beyond. The school offers a variety of disciplines, course formats, class schedules, student services, aid, and more to meet the needs of diverse students who may work full-time, have considerable commitments outside of the classroom, have prior college-level education or otherwise need a different approach to earning academic credentials. SPS continues to launch new degree programs aimed at supporting the needs of future students and is poised for significant growth over the next five years.
KUEC and SPS have a reputation for employing innovative teaching techniques and serving the unique needs of non-traditional students. KUEC and SPS faculty enjoy an interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere focused on supporting faculty in building rewarding careers while improving the success of the students we teach. Employees typically enjoy a hybrid work environment, providing sufficient flexibility for a healthy work-life balance.
KU is offering the Data Analytics concentration as part of the Bachelor’s of Professional Studies degree starting in Fall 2023 to meet the growing employment demands of data science and related workforce needs in the Kansas City metropolitan area, the greater Kansas and Missouri region, and nationally. The Data Analytics concentration is a degree completion program that prepares students, including those with non-engineering backgrounds, to transition into high-demand data science or managerial roles in industry. The key emphasis for courses is on preparing students with professional and workforce-ready skills to ensure employment immediately following completion of the program. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to succeed in courses relevant to their anticipated professions including data acquisition, data management, analysis, model development, data visualization, and more. This degree is directed at students who wish to pursue applied technical careers.
This program is offered through the School of Professional Studies and is based at the KU Edwards Campus. The degree is designed for students who have already earned an associate’s degree or equivalent hours and are looking to complete the last two years necessary for a bachelor’s degree. The program can be completed fully online, or hybrid, based on students’ location and preference. This program fits well with other transfer degrees within the School of Professional Studies. It will leverage the current transfer community infrastructure to help recruit students from area community colleges.
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)
The KU School of Professional Studies (SPS) was created in 2019 with a vision to transform student’s lives and improve communities through innovative, student-focused, and exemplary academic programs that lead to rewarding careers in an array of fields that serve the workforce needs of Kansas and beyond. The school offers a variety of disciplines, course formats, class schedules, student services, aid, and more to meet the needs of diverse students who may work full-time, have considerable commitments outside of the classroom, have prior college-level education or otherwise need a different approach to earning academic credentials. SPS continues to launch new degree programs aimed at supporting the needs of future students and is poised for significant growth over the next five years.
KUEC and SPS have a reputation for employing innovative teaching techniques and serving the unique needs of non-traditional students. KUEC and SPS faculty enjoy an interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere focused on supporting faculty in building rewarding careers while improving the success of the students we teach. Employees typically enjoy a hybrid work environment, providing sufficient flexibility for a healthy work-life balance.
KU is offering the Data Analytics concentration as part of the Bachelor’s of Professional Studies degree starting in Fall 2023 to meet the growing employment demands of data science and related workforce needs in the Kansas City metropolitan area, the greater Kansas and Missouri region, and nationally. The Data Analytics concentration is a degree completion program that prepares students, including those with non-engineering backgrounds, to transition into high-demand data science or managerial roles in industry. The key emphasis for courses is on preparing students with professional and workforce-ready skills to ensure employment immediately following completion of the program. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to succeed in courses relevant to their anticipated professions including data acquisition, data management, analysis, model development, data visualization, and more. This degree is directed at students who wish to pursue applied technical careers.
This program is offered through the School of Professional Studies and is based at the KU Edwards Campus. The degree is designed for students who have already earned an associate’s degree or equivalent hours and are looking to complete the last two years necessary for a bachelor’s degree. The program can be completed fully online, or hybrid, based on students’ location and preference. This program fits well with other transfer degrees within the School of Professional Studies. It will leverage the current transfer community infrastructure to help recruit students from area community colleges.
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)
Job Description
The University of Kansas School of Professional Studies (SPS) seeks an outstanding individual for a non-tenure-track faculty Professor of the Practice to join this new program in data analytics. We seek individuals with industry experience in the data analytics field who have exceptional communication skills and a strong commitment to educating and developing future data analytics professionals. The ideal candidate will have a developed teaching philosophy and a demonstrated desire to inspire students and encourage lifelong learning in data analytics. This is a 12-month position.
Program needs are particularly great in the following areas: data acquisition and representativeness, data management, data preparation and integration, data analysis, model development and deployment, visualization, and communication of knowledge obtained from data. This faculty position may teach within the Bachelor of Professional Studies, Information Technology, or Applied Cybersecurity programs. These programs are offered at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas in the School of Professional Studies as online, or a mixture of synchronous online and in-person offerings. Depending on years of experience in the data analytics industry, an appointment as an assistant, associate, or full Professor of the Practice is possible.
This position serves the educational needs of a Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) program, which is funded through a 1/8 of a cent sales tax within Johnson County. Specific percentages of effort for JCERT are determined each year.
The initial term of the Professor of the Practice appointment is 3 years. Subsequent appointment may be offered, contingent upon a satisfactory comprehensive performance evaluation during the final academic year of this appointment and approval of the Dean of the School of Professional Studies.
In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education. KU’s vision is to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each other and advances society. Our institutional priorities are to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. Additional information is available at https: Jayhawks Rising | Jayhawks Rising (ku.edu)
Teaching – 75%
Teaching three courses each in Fall and Spring semesters and two courses during the summer semester in the Data Analytics concentration for the Bachelor of Professional Studies program at the KU Edwards Campus (KUEC). Teaching responsibilities include curriculum development, instructional design, virtual classroom management, grading, and teaching improvement in relation to student and colleague feedback. Faculty are responsible for keeping the curriculum up-to-date and engaging with external organizations to ensure relevance to a variety of workplace needs. Provide adequate means to evaluate student performance, including examinations and assignments (such as papers, presentations, etc.) and grading.
Professional Service - 25%
Professional service includes actively engaging in promoting the programs; enhancing and improving its curriculum; engaging in scholarly pedagogical and professional development activities; mentoring students; and collaborating with faculty and staff at the KUEC in promotional activities.
Program needs are particularly great in the following areas: data acquisition and representativeness, data management, data preparation and integration, data analysis, model development and deployment, visualization, and communication of knowledge obtained from data. This faculty position may teach within the Bachelor of Professional Studies, Information Technology, or Applied Cybersecurity programs. These programs are offered at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas in the School of Professional Studies as online, or a mixture of synchronous online and in-person offerings. Depending on years of experience in the data analytics industry, an appointment as an assistant, associate, or full Professor of the Practice is possible.
This position serves the educational needs of a Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) program, which is funded through a 1/8 of a cent sales tax within Johnson County. Specific percentages of effort for JCERT are determined each year.
The initial term of the Professor of the Practice appointment is 3 years. Subsequent appointment may be offered, contingent upon a satisfactory comprehensive performance evaluation during the final academic year of this appointment and approval of the Dean of the School of Professional Studies.
In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education. KU’s vision is to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each other and advances society. Our institutional priorities are to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. Additional information is available at https: Jayhawks Rising | Jayhawks Rising (ku.edu)
Teaching – 75%
Teaching three courses each in Fall and Spring semesters and two courses during the summer semester in the Data Analytics concentration for the Bachelor of Professional Studies program at the KU Edwards Campus (KUEC). Teaching responsibilities include curriculum development, instructional design, virtual classroom management, grading, and teaching improvement in relation to student and colleague feedback. Faculty are responsible for keeping the curriculum up-to-date and engaging with external organizations to ensure relevance to a variety of workplace needs. Provide adequate means to evaluate student performance, including examinations and assignments (such as papers, presentations, etc.) and grading.
Professional Service - 25%
Professional service includes actively engaging in promoting the programs; enhancing and improving its curriculum; engaging in scholarly pedagogical and professional development activities; mentoring students; and collaborating with faculty and staff at the KUEC in promotional activities.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Data Analytics, Data Science, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics. A master’s degree in other fields may be considered if combined with three or more years of professional experience directly relevant to the teaching assignment.
- Years of related professional experience in data analytics required for each rank:
- Assistant Professor of the Practice: 3-5 years
- Associate Professor of the Practice 6-15 years
- Professor of the Practice: 16+ years
- Excellence in written communication skills as demonstrated in application materials
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctorate Degree in Data Analytics, Data Science, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a closely related field.
- Teaching experience in any of the following areas: data acquisition and representativeness, data management, data preparation and integration, data analysis, model development and deployment, visualization, and communication of knowledge obtained from data.
- Experience in promoting educational programs and recruiting students.
- Previous experience collaborating and communicating ideas effectively as demonstrated by application materials and interview.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Only complete application packages submitted online will be considered. A complete online application will include:
Anticipated start date is October 15, 2023. Application review begins August 25, 2023 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Names and contact information for three professional references
- Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds, and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Anticipated start date is October 15, 2023. Application review begins August 25, 2023 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Blake Bryant
blake.d.bryant@ku.edu
blake.d.bryant@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Friday August 25, 2023
Anticipated Start Date
Sunday October 15, 2023