Director of the Seawolf Debate Program

The University of Alaska Anchorage is seeking a dynamic, innovative, and experienced leader to serve as the Director of the Seawolf Debate Program. This position is pivotal in leading and supporting an amazing team of coaches and students who excel at promoting reasoned discourse through regional, national, and international academic, competitive debate and special events. The Director will coordinate with campus, community, and public education experts to promote academic debate and civil discourse throughout the State of Alaska. The Director will provide strategic direction, coordination, curriculum development, teaching, and coaching to undergraduate and graduate students on the internationally recognized Seawolf Debate Program. They will work with some of the brightest students at UAA, in Alaska, and the world.

The Director of the Seawolf Debate Program runs and administer the Seawolf Debate Program. The Director of Debate leads the coaching to staff to ensure the growth and development of various students the program serves. The Director develops debate, communication, and social science curriculum for those students' benefit. The Director plans and coordinates weekly practices on Tuesdays and Fridays, including the design and implementation of curriculum, administering practice rounds and exercises, providing critiques of student performance, etc. The Director meets with students during regularly scheduled office hours for one-on-one or team development. The Director organizes a robust competitive/travel schedule that includes national and international travel with 4-26 students. The Director manages a budget of $100,000, combining an operating budget with external revenue streams. The Director pursues additional opportunities for enhancing the Program's budget. The Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and hosting special events such as the university’s intramural tournament, civic debates, exhibition debates, and the high school and middle school state debate championships. The Director coordinates with educators and leaders at the middle school, high school, and school district level to enhance educational and competitive experiences for students throughout the state of Alaska. The Director plans and carries out promotional activities for the team and its events. The Director provides oversight of and helps students in developing and maintaining research for competitive endeavors.

The applicant should have knowledge of the norms practiced in worlds-style debating and practical experience debating or coaching in that format. The applicant should have experience working with undergraduate or secondary students in academic, competitive debating. The applicant should have experience working with educators in P-12 learning environments to understand the unique needs of younger students. The applicant should be motivated, driven, and passionate about education and academic, competitive debate.

Minimum Qualifications:

1) Masters Degree in Communication, Political Science, Education, or related field.
2) Minimum five years coaching debate at the collegiate or high school level.
3) Teaching experience in secondary and/or higher education settings.
4) Leadership experience in P-12 and/or higher education environments.

Position Details:

This position is located at the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage. This is a full-time, 10.5-month contract, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 83, based on education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on 05/07/2025, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE 05/06/2025.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references with your application.

A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria - Transportation Safety Guide (alaska.edu) 

This position is based on 10.5-month contract. 

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Helen Sale, HR Coordinator, at 907-786-6885.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.