Assistant Lecturer in Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies

Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies

Assistant Lecturer in Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies

Ball State University

The Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies (ECYFS) is searching for an innovative and passionate instructor to contribute to a growing, collaborative department. This is a full-time, campus-based, 10-month Assistant Lecturer position beginning August 2025. This is a renewable contract faculty position.

The ideal candidate will bring a commitment to teaching, mentorship, lifelong learning, inclusive excellence, and community engagement, with a focus on positively shaping the next generation of leaders in the field.

Teaching undergraduate courses within the family and child program include, but not limited to, the following topics: youth work, family relationships, family systems, family stress, health and wellness, parenting, infant/child development, infant/child mental health, and early intervention.

The standard assigned teaching load is four courses in the fall and four courses in the spring, with optional teaching opportunities over the summer.

Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State University’s ambitious goals for our second century:

• We pledge to provide a premier educational experience for every student.
• We pledge to partner with the community to improve the lives of our neighbors.
• We are dedicated to having a lifelong presence in the lives of our alumni.

And when we complement these promises with our commitment to our enduring values, we define that which makes our University and its culture distinctive.

Our faculty are collegial, collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive, both within and beyond one’s home unit. These attributes include commitments to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and enterprising learning practices.

Duties and Responsibilities: Teaching undergraduate course(s) in the Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies; supporting and mentoring students; providing input regarding curriculum for the Family Science concentration including the development of new courses as needed; and be responsible for actively promoting the family life educator and youth worker certifications for the duration of their employment in this position. Responsibilities include participating in university-wide events such as commencement, and general service to the department, college, and university. Responsibilities may include assisting with recruitment and retention initiatives, along with supervising family science practicum and or intern students.           

Minimum Qualifications: A master’s degree in human development and family studies (HDFS), family science, or a closely related field. Experience teaching at the university level or comparable professional development settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the practice of youth work, family life education, parent education, childhood development, intervention, and/or learning, within a school or community context.
• Demonstrated effectiveness teaching college-level courses in key topic areas (e.g., child and adolescent development, family relationships, youth work, trauma-informed practices, family policy).
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students in high impact experiences, such as service learning, practicum, and/or internships.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, support, and mentor individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different life experiences.
• Experience in curricular development at the college or university-level
• Experience establishing and sustaining relationships with community partners relevant to the Family and Child program.
• The evidenced ability to contribute to the Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies department, Teachers College, and Ball State’s strategic plan.

Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 4/2/25.

Apply online at: https://bsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/46674. Include the following documents with your application: Curriculum Vitae and in support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University’s enduring values, including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’

The option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earner is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.

Ball State is a great place to work! In fact, Forbes has ranked Ball State University as the fourth-best midsized employer—and the only recognized education institution—in the State of Indiana

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

The Ball State way is rooted in the Beneficence Pledge – a commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship, honesty and integrity, social responsibility, gratitude and valuing the intrinsic worth of each member of our community. Ball State students, faculty and staff are empowered in a culture that believes in them and demands they believe in themselves. They are partners in an innovative, immersive approach to education. They are supported by living and learning facilities that enable intellectual curiosity. We graduate scholars who are changing the world, and we’ve dedicated our University to do the same.

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.