Position Title: Professor of Practice

Employee Classification: LC Faculty NT 9m

College/Division: Engineering College

Department: 360900-MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at New Mexico State University invites applications for a Professor of Practice. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching aerospace undergraduate and/or graduate courses, including but not limited to, orbital mechanics, flight dynamics and controls, aerospace systems engineering. The ideal candidate will create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all students and actively engage in mentorship and advising.

Classification Summary:
The Professor of Practice is a valuable addition to any academic setting. This non-tenure track faculty position brings the experience and expertise of realworld industry professionals into the classroom, providing students with invaluable insights and skills they can use in their future careers. In addition to teaching, Professors of Practice may also serve as academic advisors, providing guidance and support to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. They also play an important role in supporting departmental outcome assessment and accreditation efforts, contributing to faculty meetings, serving on committees, and participating in scholarly teaching and learning activities. With their extensive knowledge and experience, Professors of Practice are instrumental in helping students succeed and preparing them for the challenges of the professional world.

Classification Standard Duties:
Responsibilities of professors of the practice include teaching, engaging in service both within and outside the university, maintaining professional credentials, and/or other duties that the appointing Department Head determines are consistent with this definition. Research responsibilities are not included in the expectations for professors of the practice. Professors of the practice should have professional teaching and service responsibilities that are significantly heavier than those of tenured and tenure-track faculty.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
PhD in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field; or MS in Aerospace
Engineering with a minimum of 10 year experience in relevant industry.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
A professor of practice is in charge of facilitating discussions and activities in adherence to a curriculum. The professor of practice should have experience in developing lesson plans, creating coursework assessment and test structures, liaising with internal and external parties, establishing objectives and guidelines, monitoring the students' progress, and providing assistance as needed.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
The position will involve teaching A E 362 Orbital Mechanics (3 credits), A E 364 Flight Dynamics and Controls (3 credits), A E 424 Aerospace Systems Engineering (3 credits), each fall and spring semester. Other courses may be determined in consultation with the Department Head. Responsibilities also include teaching, engaging in service both within and outside the university, maintaining professional credentials, and/or other duties that the appointing Department Head determines.

Applicants should submit the following documents: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching interests and philosophy statement (2 pages, max), official transcripts (if foreign transcripts must be evaluated), and the names and contact information of at least three professional references.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Young Lee, 575-646-7457, younglee@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.