Lecturer, Criminal Justice

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples' lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Criminal Justice: The Criminal Justice department offers thriving, cutting edge undergraduate, graduate, on-ground, and online programs that prepare students for a variety of careers. Faculty are encouraged to integrate new technologies, such as AI and AR/VR, into their courses and to collaborate with programs across campus, such as Pre-Law, Cybersecurity, Social Work, and more. The department is well connected to criminal justice professionals locally and nationally, bringing current, real-world opportunities and collaborations to our students and university.

Position Purpose: The Lecturer in Criminal Justice supports learning by developing courses, teaching courses across the curriculum, and mentoring students. This position will collaborate with colleagues in the department of Criminal Justice and across the university to bring curricular and extracurricular opportunities to AU students.

Core Competencies:

• Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
• Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

• Teach across the Criminal Justice curriculum and in the University's core curriculum
• Actively contribute to curriculum development in the department
• Mentor students outside the classroom and assist with their career preparation
• Provide service to the department and the University through committee work and participation in campus events
• Provide service to one's disciplinary community at the local, regional, national, or international level
• Engage in professional activities that inform the faculty member's teaching
• Contribute to recruitment and retention efforts at the University
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education:

• Graduate degree in Criminal Justice, JD, or related degree. PhD preferred.

Experience:

• Experience teaching at the university level or evidence of a strong potential for teaching.

• Solid understanding of Microsoft and Apple operating systems.
• Sound judgment and prioritization skills.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Quick learner with great prioritization skills.
• Ability to work independently and be dependable.
• Ability to accept divergent views while maintaining a constructive working relationship with other team members.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work with a computer for long periods of the day.
• Ability to attend off-campus meetings.
• Office setting, standing, walking, sitting.

Work Hours: Expected equivalent of 40 hours per week, but days/hours may vary as needed. Hybrid or work-from-home employment will be considered if the candidate can demonstrate the ability to fulfill this role effectively off-site

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $80,000-$85,000 per year. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees.

• Health Insurance
  Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
• Dental and Vision Insurance
  Choice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance and AD&D
  1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children.
• Long Term Disability
  60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options.
• TIAA Retirement