Assistant Speech and Debate Coach

About the Role The Assistant Speech and Debate Coach supports McKendree University's Speech and Debate program through coaching, student preparation, recruitment support, competition travel, and assistance with program activities. This part-time, 9-month role works under the direction of the Director of Speech and Debate and collaborates with the Head Coach of Debate to support student development and the University's recruitment, retention, and student engagement goals. What You'll Do

• Assist with student coaching and preparation, including practices, research review, performance evaluation, ballot review, competition preparation, and student support.
• Provide individual or group coaching in speech and/or debate based on program needs and assigned areas of expertise.
• Support a team culture that reflects professionalism, student learning, responsible citizenship, academic engagement, and appropriate standards of conduct.
• Assist the Director of Speech and Debate and Head Coach of Debate with student preparation, team activities, and program operations as assigned.
• Attend high school competitions, campus activities, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and related programs as assigned to support recruitment and program visibility.
• Communicate with prospective students, families, and high school coaches as assigned by the Director of Speech and Debate.
• Support campus visits, recruitment events, follow-up communication, and other recruitment activities in coordination with the Director of Speech and Debate.
• Attend and judge intercollegiate speech and debate competitions as assigned.
• Assist with competition travel logistics, including registration, lodging, transportation, meals, travel documentation, and related details as directed.
• Submit appropriate receipts, forms, and expense documentation in accordance with University procedures.
• Assist with University-hosted competitions, workshops, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and other speech and debate activities as assigned.
• Ensure students represent McKendree University appropriately during practices, competitions, travel, hosted events, and related program activities.
• Follow University policies, travel expectations, budget procedures, and student conduct expectations.
• Maintain professional and technical competency through engagement with speech and debate practices, trends, and professional development opportunities as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned. What We're Looking For
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• 2 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, as a competitor.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and support undergraduate students.
• Familiarity with intercollegiate speech and/or debate competition.
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and in large groups.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, coaches, volunteers, high school partners, Admission, Student Affairs, and other University offices.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and uphold appropriate boundaries with students.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office as well as file sharing, communication, and conferencing software. Nice to Have
• Master’s Degree in Communication or related field.
• 5 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, including experience as a competitor and/or as a coach.
• Experience with speech and/or debate coaching, competition operations, recruitment, student programming, or high school speech and debate outreach. Compensation & Benefits
• McKendree University offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and the opportunity to influence the future leaders of tomorrow.
• Part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.
• Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week may be eligible for our deferred compensation plan.
• Part-time faculty and staff also enjoy: Discounted tuition after 1 year of employment! Spouses and dependents under the age of 26 are also eligible for discounted undergraduate level courses.