Adjunct Faculty

Job Description/Summary:

The College of Nutrition at Sonoran University of Health Sciences is actively seeking an Adjunct Faculty to teach the 6-week online course, Gastrointestinal Physiology and the 6-week online course, Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology. These courses are offered as part of the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (MSCN) degree program and the Master of Science in Nutrition Business Leadership (MSNBL) degree program.

The Gastrointestinal Physiology course explores normal human physiology with an emphasis on physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Students learn mechanisms and regulation of motor, secretory, digestive, and absorptive functions of the gastrointestinal tract and how it impacts human health. The course also introduces students to microbiomics and the role and application of prebiotics and probiotics in health and disease.

The Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology course provides students with essential medical knowledge and a broad understanding of human disease with a focus on the pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Students also build upon their understanding of microbiomics and the role and application of prebiotics and probiotics in health and disease.

(Please note that content development and updates, while welcome, are not currently required for these courses as all content has been previously developed and peer reviewed. Improvements to course content occur as needed based upon student and faculty feedback and to ensure the course remains current and relevant.)

Adjunct faculty within the College of Nutrition are critical to the success of Sonoran University’s online programs. They are responsible for supporting the efforts of the College of Nutrition and the Academic Affairs department to improve educational outcomes, foster student success, and facilitate student persistence and retention by creating a positive and supportive educational environment.

Adjunct faculty facilitate learning for Sonoran University’s online students through timely and effective instruction, assessment, and communications and are responsible for improving educational effectiveness and supporting programmatic and course curricula. Adjunct faculty are assigned courses aligned with their expertise that are taught using Canvas, Sonoran University’s online Learning Management System (LMS). Adjunct faculty are responsible for interacting with students within that LMS.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in, and passion for their subject area(s), prior online teaching experience, and the ability to effectively communicate with students. Responsibilities of this position include teaching one or more course sections, delivering current and relevant content, and demonstrating student learning. Adjunct faculty are active members of the Sonoran University community promoting its mission, vision, and core values. Adjunct faculty will receive supervision, support, and guidance from the Director of Nutrition Programs.

Primary teaching responsibilities include:

1. Deliver expert knowledge in the course subject area.

2. Teach assigned courses in accordance with current syllabi and learning outcomes.

3. Lead weekly live sessions in accordance with the course syllabus.

4. Initiate, facilitate, interact, and moderate online classroom forums.

5. instruct and evaluate students each week on the development of a business plan that they

can utilize as they embark on their nutrition career.

6. Use innovative teaching and learning strategies and methods.

7. Conduct regular assessment of students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

8. Provide responses to student inquiries within 24 hours.

9. Engage in the online course portal a minimum of 4 times per week.

10. Host virtual office hours.

11. Remain current in academic discipline(s)

12. Ensure course content remains current, accurate, and relevant.

13. With approval of the dean, update course content appropriately

14. Continuously improving teaching and learning based on assessment results and

implementation of pedagogical best practices.

15. Submit feedback and student grades in a timely manner.

Other responsibilities:

1. Serve as a mentor and role model to students.

2. Work collaboratively as part of the academic team and college community.

3. Keep abreast of developments in one’s own field by reading current literature, engaging colleges, participating in professional organizations, tradeshows, and/or conferences.

4. Promoting Sonoran University’s vision, mission, and core values internally and to external constituencies

5. Provide timely response to communications by program leadership, preferably within 24-hours.

6. Other duties as assigned.

Experience expectations:

1. Previous instructional experience preferably in an online setting at a college or university.

2. Familiarity with online teaching and/or a desire to learn new technological approaches to education.

3. Teaching experience on the Canvas LMS is preferred.

4. Experience in the practice of evidence-based clinical nutrition is an asset.

5. Education and experience demonstrating expert breadth of knowledge in course subject area.

6. Demonstrated ability to use innovative teaching and learning strategies and methods.

7. A positive attitude, confidence, integrity, effective oral and written communication skills, a sense of humor, honesty, and the ability to inspire.

8. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding student issues.

9. Ability to uphold academic rigor and integrity while assisting students in achieving academic success.

10. Ability to embody Sonoran University’s core values: We Achieve Excellence, We Love, We Do the Right Thing, We Are Resilient, We Shape the Future.

Educational qualifications:

1. Terminal degree in a related field of nutrition, physiology, pathophysiology, or earned doctorate (i.e., PhD, MD, DCN, DC, ND, DO) from a regionally accredited institution.

Technology requirement:

Faculty are expected to have a personal computer with internet access and virus protection. Sonoran University provides a Sonoran University email account and password protected access to faculty sections of the LMS and website and additional faculty resources and tools.

Working environment:

This position is remote/online. Subject to extensive periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse. Regular activities require the ability to quickly change priorities which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts. Frequent communication with internal and external individuals is required to perform essential functions.

Background/screening:

All employees at Sonoran University undergo a background and drug screen prior to hire. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of all screens required of this position. All applicants must show documentation of vaccinations or provide titer results for measles. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of all screens required of this position.

Sonoran University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status

Sonoran University is a Smoke-Free campus.

Documents needed to apply:

1. Cover letter (may be used to strengthen application but is not required)

2. Resume/CV