Director of the Online Program
Colorado State University
Posting Detail Information
Working TitleDirector of the Online Program
Position LocationFort Collins, CO
Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Posting Number202500007F
Proposed Annual Salary Range$60,000 - $70,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)
+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .
+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !
Position TypeFaculty
Work Hours/Week40
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
The Department of Communication Studies at Colorado State University currently teaches more than 400 undergraduate majors, 16 M.A. students, and 20 Ph.D. students. The department houses the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation (www.cpd.colostate.edu) and hosts the Act Human Rights Film Festival (www.actfilmfest.org). The focus of the Department of Communication Studies is how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. We believe the study of communication leads to personal development, career success, and responsible citizenship. The university, college, and department are committed to continuing to build a diverse and inclusive campus community. Candidates who can advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through teaching and service are encouraged to apply.
Tenure/Tenure Track?No
% Research15
% Teaching70
% Service5
% Administration10
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on02/10/2025
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date
Position End Date
Position Summary
The Communication Studies Director of the Online Program will oversee the administration and continued development of the department’s online major. The Director of the Online Program will be appointed by and report to the department chair who will perform the annual evaluations with advice from the non-tenure track evaluation and promotion committee. The DOP will collaborate closely with the Director of Undergraduate Studies who will advise the chair regarding annual evaluation.
Duties include:
+ Coordinate with the department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies, the undergraduate committee, and the department chair on programmatic decisions, scheduling, faculty assignments, analysis of enrollment trends, new course additions, and course refreshes.
+ Advise and provide professional development to all online faculty as they develop and refresh online courses, including the department core, capstone, and elective classes.
+ Coordinate bi-annual meetings of the online faculty.
+ Serve as the primary contact with CSU Online to translate, optimize, and schedule course development and redevelopment, plan for enrollment needs, and add courses to the curriculum.
+ Sit on the College-level Online Coordinator’s committee to stay up to date on all college-level policies and best practices for online education.
+ Stay current on all discipline-specific online pedagogy practices.
+ Provide yearly course reviews for all faculty in the first three years of teaching online.
+ Implement student success initiatives, including working with the online advisor to communicate and enhance student success practices for online majors and plan and run department sense-of-belonging events.
+ Teach a variety of courses in at least two of the department’s three focus areas: 1) Relational and Organizational Communication; 2) Film and Studies; and 3) Rhetoric and Civic Engagement.
+ Maintain an active research program.
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Required Job Qualifications
+ Terminal degree or ABD in communication studies or closely related academic field.
+ Extensive knowledge of best practices in online education.
+ Demonstrated ability to manage complex tasks.
+ Proven ability to work well with a wide variety of individuals and constituencies.
Preferred Job Qualifications
+ Track record of research in pedagogy in online education or discipline-specific pedagogy.
+ Previous experience in program management, coordination, and professional development of faculty.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Initial submission must include the following documents:
+ Letter of application that addresses the minimum and preferred qualifications (1-3 pages)
+ Detailed curriculum vitae
+ Statement of teaching philosophy (2 pages)
+ M.A. and Ph.D. transcripts (Unofficial copies may be submitted in the initial application)
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .
Diversity Statement
Ability to advance the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals and activities.
Search ContactKatie Gibson; Katie.Gibson@colostate.edu
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryTeaching
Duty/Responsibility
Teaching communications courses and/or providing service in the Communications Studies Department. 3/3 teaching load.
Percentage Of Time70%
Job Duty CategoryResearch
Duty/Responsibility
Establish excellence in Communication Studies research and interdisciplinary collaboration with scholars in related fields.
Percentage Of Time15%
Job Duty CategoryAdministration
Duty/Responsibility
+ Advise and provide professional development to all online faculty as they develop and refresh online courses, including the department core, capstone, and elective classes.
+ Coordinate bi-annual meetings of the online faculty.
+ Serve as the primary contact with CSU Online to translate, optimize, and schedule course development and redevelopment, plan for enrollment needs, and add courses to
the curriculum.
+ Sit on the College-level Online Coordinator’s committee to stay up to date on all college-level policies and best practices for online education.
+ Stay current on all discipline-specific online pedagogy practices.
+ Provide yearly course reviews for all faculty in the first three years of teaching online.
+ Implement student success initiatives, including working with the online advisor to communicate and enhance student success practices for online majors and plan and run
department sense-of-belonging events.
Percentage Of Time10%
Job Duty CategoryService
Duty/Responsibility
Serve on departmental, college and university committees, particularly those related to teaching and curricular development. Service will include teaching and learning-related activities.
Percentage Of Time5%
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
+ Cover Letter
+ Curriculum Vitae
+ Unofficial Transcripts
+ Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Optional Documents
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