Adjunct, ELSA, Communications Courses

The Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA), a four-year certificate program for students with disabilities, is seeking an individual to teach a communications course in the fall 2026 semester and another in spring 2027:

• ELS  039-85 Communications II, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:50-4:30 PM, start date = September 1, 2026. This course builds students' interpersonal communication skills to define, establish, and maintain healthy human relationships, including setting boundaries and managing conflict. Students will further their knowledge and understanding of interpersonal communication skills, including identifying their current personal skills and comfort levels and those they aspire to. Discussions, reflecting on past and present behaviors, and experiential exercises will provide the students with numerous practice opportunities to help them achieve their interpersonal communications goals.
• ELS  038-85 Communications I, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:50-4:30 PM, start date = February 2, 2027. This course will provide students with the fundamentals of interpersonal communication. Students will identify effective and ineffective communication skills, including those used in different contexts, such as electronic vs. face-to-face. They will explore strategies and techniques they can use to improve their communication skills and determine when and how to adapt to various situations. Through observation, modeling, and practice, students will build the skills needed to interact in various situations, including daily living, workplace, and personal relationships.

Successful ELSA Adjuncts are invested in being collaborative, possess the desire to work in higher education, and are open to working with students with varying abilities.

Position Status: Exempt

Salary Range: The pay range is $3,800-$4,000 for a standard 1.0 credit (4 semester hour) course. New part-time faculty start at $3,800 (Adjunct Level 1).

Work Location: This position is ineligible for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and delivers instruction in the classroom.
• Collaborates with ELSA Director and adjunct faculty to evaluate, revise, and develop curriculum as needed for mastery of course content.
• Provides students with assessment and clear feedback regarding academic performance.
• Documents student progress and maintains accurate records such as attendance, grading, and achievement of student learning outcomes.
• Maintains office hours.

Other Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Special Education, Higher Education, Counseling or related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to collaborate and build rapport with students.
• Open to problem-solving.
• Flexibility to work with staff regarding student/class needs.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

The essential functions of this position are primarily performed in an indoor setting with limited exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work is often sedentary in nature and requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods. Required abilities include speaking and hearing for in-person and virtual communication, using close and distance vision when reading documents or viewing screens, and performing tasks with repetitive fine motor skills. Work may require occasional lifting, bending, carrying, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Qualified applicants who can perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodations will be considered.

An overview of Elmhurst University benefits is available here.

Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following materials with application:

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Cover letter
3. Statement of teaching philosophy
4. Unofficial transcripts
5. Reference list

Please contact Jane Cannata, Director of ELSA, at jane.cannata@elmhurst.edu with questions.