Assistant Professor of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies

Position Title:

Compensation:

Department:

Start Date:

About this opportunity:

What you'll do and what you will bring:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in one or more of the following areas: early childhood curriculum, prosocial development, culture and language in teaching and learning, family relationships, wellness, health and safety, leadership and administration, kindergarten education, teaching in the kindergarten/primary grades, Transition to Teaching, and other content areas related to children and teacher preparation. The standard assigned teaching load is 3 courses in the fall and spring, with opportunities to teach in the summer. Courses may be face-to-face, online, and/or blended. Candidates should have background, knowledge, and skills primarily in the area of early childhood education and the ability to work cooperatively with faculty and staff to foster curriculum implementation, assessment, and improvement.

• Develop and/or maintain an active research agenda, which includes publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at professional conferences, seeking funding to support scholarship, and creating opportunities for our students to be involved in the research process.

• Actively contribute to the missions and strategic initiatives of the Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies, Teachers College, and Ball State University through involvement with professional associations and activities at the local, regional, and national levels.

Minimum Qualifications

• • Doctorate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field by date of appointment
  • Eligible for, holds, or has held a teaching license
  • At least 3 years / 6 academic semesters (approx. 24 months) of experience teaching in an early learning environment

Preferred Qualifications

• • Content specialization in one or more of the following areas: integrated early childhood pedagogy, policy/advocacy/social justice, and/or community engagement
  • Track record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional conferences in applicant's area of specialization
  • Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with various learners, families, colleagues, and communities.
  • At least one academic semester (approx. 4 months) of experience teaching undergraduate or graduate courses in multiple modalities (e.g., face-to-face, online, blended)
  • At least one academic semester (approx. 4 months) of experience coordinating clinical experiences, developing site partnerships, and supervising and mentoring students, within the parameters of regulatory and policy frameworks shaping early learning environments
  • Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor all students, leveraging various backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives as asset-based tools for collective learning

How to apply:

For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact:

Dr. Seongmi Lim, slim@bsu.edu

Important: Please follow upload instructions for attaching all required documents listed below. Only complete applications will be considered.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS:

• Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Within the application, please provide names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
• Note: Additional application materials may be requested later in the search process

This position will remain open until filled, with a consideration date of December 7, 2026, 12:01 a.m. Candidates submitting application materials on or before this date will receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.

Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.

Relocation Program: MakeMyMove

Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized city—short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.

Through the City of Muncie’s MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.

Current benefits for eligible participants may include:

• Up to $5,000 cash for relocation

• Co-working space courtesy of The Innovation Connector
• Access to the Ball State University Library
• One-semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State University
• Discounted Ball State Athletics tickets
• Help desk for connecting to local resources
• Opportunity for board participation
• Six-month YMCA membership

Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.

Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University’s strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.

Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.

That's how Ball State works.

Goodness requires action to grow. We're dedicated to doing our part to keep goodness growing in Muncie, at our university, and as far beyond as possible. That's where you come in. When you join our team, you become part of goodness in action. Our main priority: uplifting students so they can discover their full potential. This is how we fly.

It all comes down to caring.

There are about 3,000 full-time faculty and staff in the Ball State University work family. Each brings unique gifts to help us be the kind of institution we want to be. In return, we do our best to take care of them through comprehensive medical and dental plans, a Health Savings Account (which we contribute to), and a whole range of wellness, retirement, and other benefits like covering the cost of tuition at Ball State for you and your family. We can offer you more.

A great place to work in a great place to live.

Where you live matters just as much as where you work. We get it. That's why we've invested since the very beginning in making our hometown work. On campus, find state-of-the-art facilities and one-of-a-kind arts and cultural events. In Muncie, you'll find a warm and welcoming community with affordable housing and a vibrant downtown arts, food, and music scene. What could be better? You here - for starters.

EEO/AA Statement

Ball State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or any legally protected status.

Disability Accommodations

Ball State provides accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the position. Contact Melissa Rubrecht, Director of Employee Relations, at 765-285-1823 for assistance.

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