INTRODUCTION
The Department of Kinesiology, part of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, seeks applicants for a non-tenure track, 11-month appointment as an Assistant Professor in Residence to serve as the Department’s Master of Athletic Training Coordinator of Clinical Education. This position, in the nationally ranked Department of Kinesiology, will support the Department’s education, research, and service mission in athletic training and offers opportunities to work alongside nationally recognized faculty. This position is anticipated to start on August 23, 2025, will report to the Department Head of Kinesiology, and is based on UConn’s Main Storrs, Connecticut campus.
The University of Connecticut is in the midst of a transformational period of growth supported by the $1.7B Next Generation Connecticut (http://nextgenct.uconn.edu/) and the $1B Bioscience Connecticut(https://health.uconn.edu/bioscience-ct/) initiatives and a bold new Academic Plan: Path to Excellence. The Department of Kinesiology has exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with investigators, particularly in health-related disciplines, both at UConn Storrs and UConn Health.
The Department of Kinesiology is one of eight academic units within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and offers an undergraduate major in exercise science, two nationally accredited professional programs (Master of Science in Athletic Training, Doctor of Physical Therapy), and master’s and doctoral degrees in exercise science. We also house 4 entrepreneurial programs that promote training, research, and community engagement to promote health and safety: Korey Stringer Institute, UConn Institute for Sports Medicine, Online Certificate and Master’s in Exercise Prescription, and the Human Anatomy Learning Lab. With 25 faculty, 165 undergraduates, and 150 graduate students, we actively engage in educating and training the next generation of health professionals, educators, and scholars. The University of Connecticut and the Department of Kinesiology both embrace diversity as a core value and strive to attract, retain, and facilitate the success of talented people from all backgrounds.
CAHNR has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and extension programs in the years 2020-2025. Faculty hired for this position will be expected to make significant contributions in their area of expertise, contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s five strategic priorities.
- Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply
- Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally
- Designing sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces
- Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate
- Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices, and norms
The CAHNR Strategic Vision provides additional information on strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis.
Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Teach in the Athletic Training program with an emphasis on musculoskeletal assessment and intervention, and clinical education.
- Coordinate athletic training clinical education experiences and act as a liaison between the MSAT program and all affiliated clinical sites
- Maintain regular communication with clinical sites and preceptors
- Monitor student progress during clinical education experiences
- Coordinate and document regular clinical site visits
- Monitor clinical site and preceptor compliance with program policies and expectations adhering to CAATE requirements
- Conduct initial preceptor training with all new clinical preceptors
- Conduct annual preceptor workshops and preceptor professional development
- Arrange clinical education experiences and supplemental clinical experiences
- Provide oversight of the Clinical Experience and Immersion courses to ensure the following occurs:
- Evaluation of quality of clinical experience for students
- Objectives for clinical education experiences and the associated clinical rotation courses are met
- Documentation related to all clinical education is evaluated and maintained
- Develop relationships with new clinical sites, as needed, to provide a range of clinical experiences and opportunities (following all CAATE standards)
- Work cooperatively with the Program Director and other MSAT faculty to deliver high-quality clinical education
- Assist the Program Director in maintaining compliance with the CAATE accreditation standards including but not limited to, the CAATE self-study, site visit, and other accreditation requirements
- Assist with cumulative exams for all athletic training students
- Serve on departmental, college, and university committees, including the Interprofessional Education Committee
- Contribute to the scholarship mission of the department
- Engage with professional affiliations and in national, regional, and state professional organizations
- Promote integrity, honesty, and collegiality among students, faculty, and staff
- Other duties assigned or necessary to deliver high-quality clinical education
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Athletic Training or related field.
- Eligible for or currently licensed as an Athletic Trainer in the State of Connecticut.
- Previous clinical practice as an athletic trainer.
- Previous experience as a preceptor for athletic training students and/or experience in coordinating clinical experiences.
- Certification and good standing with the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer.
- Contemporary expertise in the field of athletic training.
- NPI Number with appropriate health care field designation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctorate in a health-related field or higher education.
- Record of interprofessional collaboration in teaching/learning.
- Previous experience as Coordinator of Clinical Education in an athletic training program.
- A record of scholarship and potential to contribute to the scholarship mission of the department.
- Record of or strong potential for service and outreach activities that advance a national reputation.
- A demonstration of teaching effectiveness at the postsecondary level.
- Experience mentoring graduate students in pursuit of academic graduate degrees.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, 11-month position with an expected start date of August 23, 2025. This is a faculty appointment that may be eligible for promotion to Associate Professor in Residence and Professor in Residence. This appointment is renewable annually and does not lead to academic tenure but may lead to successive multi-year contracts. The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be in the Department of Kinesiology at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online to UConn Jobs at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs Search #498801 to upload the following additional application materials:
- A cover letter that illustrates how credentials and prior experience meet the requirements and responsibilities of the position,
- Curriculum vitae,
- Research and scholarship statement,
- Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.),
- Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.),
- 3 letters of reference.
The evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. For more information regarding the Department of Kinesiology, please visit the department website at https://kins.uconn.edu/ and the program’s website at https://athletictraining.kins.uconn.edu/.
Inquiries about the position should be sent by email to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jon Rizzo (email: jon.rizzo@uconn.edu).
At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.
This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.