Assistant Professor, Department Of Health And Human Performance (Exercise Science/Health Science)

Department

Health & Human Performance

Job Posting Title

Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Human Performance (Exercise Science/Health Science)

Job Description

Fort Hays State University is seeking applicants for a full-time, tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor rank, in the Department of Health and Human Performance beginning the fall 2026 semester. Rank and salary will be commensurate with educational level and experience.

Responsibilities Include:

Teaching 12 hours per semester (24 hours per year) is required with the possibility of voluntary intersession and summer overload. Teaching content will include both undergraduate and graduate coursework. Instructional coursework may include a variety of exercise science and/or health science areas, as well as other courses yet to be determined. In addition, assisting with the development of a strength and condition concentration with certifications, academic mentoring, participation in scholarly activities, service to the university, the profession, and the community are requirements of this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate degree in Health and Human Performance or related discipline (such as exercise science, kinesiology, health sciences, public health, curriculum and instruction, etc.) preferred. ABD will be considered. ABD candidates must provide verification of status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of excellence in teaching on-campus and online classes at the university level
• Engagement in scholarly activities
• Certifications with NSCA, ACSM, CSCCA, or NASM
• Experience working with the CASCE strength and conditioning accreditation process
• Experience in community engagement and other service activities in health and human performance

Appointment Date: August 2026

Priority Application Deadline: February 20, 2026

Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits.

Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents:

• Current curriculum vita/resume
• Cover letter that includes a statement of relevant experience
• Unofficial transcripts of all college work (official copies required if hired)
• The names and contact information (email and telephone number) of three recent references who will speak to the teaching and professional qualifications of the applicant.

Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Name: Dr. Steve Sedbrook, HHP Chair

Email: ssedbroo@fhsu.edu

Phone: 785-628-5843

About the Department:

The Department of Health and Human Performance is one of six academic departments in the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and currently serves approximately 850 majors, including 400 students in our China partnership program. Undergraduate programs lead to the Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance with various program concentrations: Recreation/Sport Management; PK-12 Teaching PE/Coaching; Exercise Science; Sport and Exercise Therapy (Pre-Professional); Health Promotion/Fitness Programming; and General HHP along with an online Bachelor of Science in Health Studies. The Department houses one graduate program: the Master of Science degree in Health and Human Performance with three concentration areas: Sport Administration, Exercise Science, and Movement and Sport Studies. The department also offers concentrations in the Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) and the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) including an MPS in Sport Management.

About the College:

The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences is home to challenging and exciting degree programs in the fields of allied health, communication sciences and disorders, health and human performance, nursing, psychology and social work. With 80 full-time faculty serving over 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students, the departments offer programs that prepare students for careers in some of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. Outstanding facilities, comprehensive and demanding curricula, and a reputation for innovation and excellence in teaching provide a framework for graduates to excel in their chosen field. In addition to discipline specific coursework, students have numerous opportunities to gain experience and knowledge through research projects, field trips, service-learning activities, teaching apprenticeships, internships, and student exchange. Students develop skills and competencies that prepare them to be practitioners, scientists, health care providers, educators, managers, and policy makers destined for key roles in the health and behavioral sciences.

About Fort Hays State University:

Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a regional comprehensive public university where determined, innovative and caring faculty and staff share a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring students. Our mission is to develop the engaged global citizen-leaders our world needs today. FHSU is located in the Midwest and has a student enrollment of almost 17,000 (including 3,700+ on the Hays campus, a unique international partnership program with enrollment approaching 4000 students, and an FHSU Online enrollment at over 8,800). The FHSU model is based on meeting the evolving educational needs of the modern student. Almost 500 faculty and another 500 professional and staff support and guide degree and certificate programs for the associate's, bachelor's, and master's programs, and for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, representing 31 departments within these academic divisions:

• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship
• College of Education
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
• Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
• Graduate School

Fort Hays State University provides exceptional opportunities for students from Kansas, the region, and the world, and the University attracts goal-oriented students who want premier learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom combined with one-to-one attention and support. FHSU students graduate with the knowledge, professional skills, and confidence to have a competitive edge in their chosen careers. Upon graduation, 95% of FHSU students find a job or placement in graduate school.

About Hays, Kansas:

Candidates will discover a locale where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with an optimal quality of life. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, a vibrant, growing community of over 20,000 that takes great pride in the University's presence. Hays is a celebration of historic and contemporary contrasts, evidenced in its frontier roots highlighted throughout the city and local museums and in its redeveloped downtown area where residents enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. This community's commitment to the future inspires Hays businesses to reinvest locally.

A welcoming and family-centered community, Hays offers premier healthcare services, a growing high-tech and retail business community, and excellent Pre-K and K-12 schools in both the private and public sectors. The City of Hays has long been known as a safe community, and the FHSU campus is recognized by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018 as one of the Top 100 Safest College Campuses in America. For entertainment, recreation, education, employment, or simply for a comfortable place to live, residents of all ages will find in Hays the elements that contribute to a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling lifestyle.

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination - Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.