Full-Time Lecturer, Associate Director of Forensics, Speech and Debate

The Beach•Long Beach, CA

37d•$74,652 - $158,688

About The Position

The Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) seeks to hire a full-time Associate Director of Forensics. Beach Forensics is a comprehensive and nationally recognized speech and debate program. Our policy debate team has ranked among the nation’s top five for the past two years, earning CEDA’s Top Speaker and Third Place Speaker of the Year awards. Our director of debate was the Coach of the Year 2024 and Critic of the Year 2025. The program also includes a growing parliamentary debate team and a speech team that competes at both national and international levels. In 2024, CSULB was named the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League’s Distinguished Host, highlighting our commitment to providing a home for non-traditional college students to develop their forensics skills. Our forensics community embodies a legacy of activism and advocacy, with competitors and alumni using the power of speech and debate to engage deeply with issues of social justice and to work toward meaningful change in local, national, and global communities. CSULB seeks to recruit faculty who enthusiastically support the University’s strong commitment to the academic success of all of our students, including students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the People of California, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Requirements

M.A., M.S. or Ph.D. in Communication or related field.
Degree at time of application or official notification of completion of the doctoral degree by August 1, 2026.
Demonstrated potential for teaching excellence
Ability to facilitate team travel
Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including low socioeconomic and first-generation students

Nice To Haves

Experience with policy and procedures related to forensics team travel and expenditures
Demonstrated commitment to engaging students outside of the classroom through providing support, including mentoring, and program development
Ability to build and manage alumni relations
Highly organized, detail oriented, and future focused
Ability to teach courses related to speech and debate
Experience in coaching policy or parliamentary styles of debate
Experience successfully working with populations demographically and/or socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body
Experience mentoring or supporting students using inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies in a diverse classroom

Responsibilities

Work cooperatively with co-directors on matters related to team culture, budget, and travel
Work with department specialists to complete documents related to team budget and travel
Compose yearly IRA request and attend hearings
Host Jack Howe Memorial tournament and other local and national tournaments at the high school and college level
Schedule and attend two weekly team meetings
Serve on relevant department, college, or university committees
Recruit on-campus and off-campus - particularly Los Angeles Urban Debate League schools
Coordinate team travel arrangements and attend some forensics tournaments
Remain current and follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines
Supervise forensics Graduate Assistants
Foster alumni and community relations
Develop fundraising opportunities
Coach students when necessary
Perform other duties necessary to administer a full-service forensics program