Assistant Teaching Professor in RPTM

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POSITION SPECIFICS

Assistant Teaching Professor in RPTM - University Park

The Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM) in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD) at University Park seeks applicants for a 46-week non-tenure track teaching faculty member at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor starting August 2026.

The successful candidate would primarily be expected to serve as the Department's internship coordinator which includes supporting students in their capstone internship experience, seeking, managing and enhancing partnerships with industry professionals, and initiating other career and professional development initiative for students. Candidates will also contribute to teaching courses and must have teaching expertise in at least one core curriculum areas within the department including programming, management, leadership, marketing, finance, governance and policy, risk management, or conceptual foundations within RPTM. Additionally, it is expected that candidates will have the ability to teach in one of the option areas in the department covering topics within commercial recreation, tourism, events, sport, recreation, adventure recreation, outdoor recreation, and/or park management.

Core Responsibilities:

- Serve as the coordinator of internships and professional experiences in RPTM for students in Commercial Recreation and Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Community Recreation option areas, as well as support for internships in the Professional Golf Management Program, and the emerging program in Sport Management.

- Maintain the internship and professional experience database and website and serve as a liaison to potential sites for students, working to build sustainable, long-term partnerships.

- Create opportunities for career and professional development of students, including through coordinating professional speakers (both in and outside of courses), exploring relevant certificates and/or microcredentials across options, and/or providing avenues of industry partnerships and connections.

- Teach selected courses in the RPTM core and/or option area.

- Work with the undergraduate Professor-in-Charge, the Director of Student Engagement and Involvement, and/or Academic Advisors to plan career focused events for students and recruit students to the programs in the department.

- Also responsible for other service and duties as assigned by the RPTM Department Head.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Earned an M.S. in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management, Sport Management, or related field.

- Evidence of the ability to teach at the university level, including in-person and online (synchronous and asynchronous)

Review of applications will begin March 09, 2026 and continue until a suitable candidate is found. Informal inquiries or questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Carter Hunt, chair of the search committee. To be considered for the position, candidates must complete an online application and upload (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) teaching statement (maximum one page), and (4) the names and contact information for three professional references.

About the Department:

The Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM) is one of eight departments in the college. The successful candidate should be able to contribute to the Department's mission is to positively affect the social, economic, and environmental health and well-being of people and places by engaging communities and individuals of all backgrounds through research-driven administration, leadership, and management of recreation, parks, tourism, and sport (https://hhd.psu.edu/rptm). This makes the department central to the College's mission and positions it well to continue to play an important role in advancing human health. RPTM provides four unique undergraduate degree options (Outdoor Recreation, Community Recreation, Commercial Recreation and Tourism, and Professional Golf Management), with approximately 350 majors per year at the University Park campus, as well as additional students across minors (e.g., Sustainability Leadership) and certificates (e.g., Certificate in Meetings and Event Management, Certificates in Professional Snow Sport Management). RPTM also offers two of the department's four undergraduate options online through Penn State's World Campus, with over 50 students currently enrolled. RPTM also has a strong graduate program averaging 30 graduate students per year. RPTM's 24 faculty and 9 professional staff take pride in leveraging research, teaching, service, and outreach to enhance the field of recreation, park, and tourism management.

About the College:

The College of Health and Human Development (HHD) offers a robust program of eight interdisciplinary programs that share one common goal: enriching the lives of others. We continually examine contemporary issues facing people in today's changing times, and we develop cutting-edge solutions for addressing them. Our impact extends from our classrooms, across communities and industries, and around the globe. Under the College leadership of Dean Craig Newschaffer, the college has outlined an innovative vision and strategic plan that emphasizes creating an environment to support student success while in college and beyond and growing the impact of the college's research scholarship.

About the University:

Penn State is a public, land-grant, research-intensive university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service. Its instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education offered through resident instruction and online delivery. Annual enrollment at its commonwealth campuses totals close to 100,000 graduate and undergraduate students, making it one of the largest universities in the United States.

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