Assistant Professor of Communication; Strategic Communication

Job

Location:
Columbus State University

Full/Part Time:
Full Time

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

Department:
Department of Communication

The Department of Strategic Communication, Media, and Film at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication beginning January 2027. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment.

The Department has two tracks within the Bachelor's of Communication degree program:
Media and Film track, and Strategic Communication track. This position will support the department's newly integrated Strategic Communication track, which brings together public relations and communication studies. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar who can prepare students for careers in communication-related professions, teach core courses in public relations and strategic communication, and contribute to curriculum development aligned with evolving industry standards and departmental priorities.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses such as Introduction to Public Relations, Writing Across Media, Public Relations Management, and Crisis Communication. Depending on expertise and program needs, the candidate may also contribute to graduate courses in areas such as Data Analytics, Client Relations, and Communication Ethics, as well as courses in communication theory, research methods, or related areas.

In addition to teaching, the selected candidate will contribute to student recruitment and retention efforts that strengthen enrollment in the Strategic Communication program. The candidate will also support curriculum development and program growth in ways that align with departmental, college, and university priorities.

The ideal candidate will maintain an active research agenda in Strategic Communication or a related area and show promise for sustained scholarly productivity through publications, conference participation, and other forms of professional engagement. Because the program values evidence-based practice and analytical literacy, the department is particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to instruction in quantitative research methods, analytics, and/or data-informed strategic communication.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the ability to foster community and industry partnerships, particularly in collaboration with the Department's Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Center. These partnerships should support experiential learning, strengthen connections between the program and the broader community, and enhance student success. The ideal candidate will value community-engaged work and be able to connect teaching, scholarship, and service in ways that increase the visibility and impact of the Strategic Communication track.

Significant Duties &

Responsibilities include:

Teaching four courses (12 credit hours) per semester at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, developing new courses as needed, advising students, and providing meaningful service to the department, college, university, and profession.

• Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field by January 2027
• ABD candidates may be considered, but the degree must be completed prior to the appointment start date
• Evidence of effective teaching
• Demonstrated ability to teach courses in public relations and strategic communication
• Demonstrated understanding of contemporary communication practice, including the strategic use of digital and social media
• Candidates with a master's degree in Communication or a closely related field may also be considered if they have substantial professional experience in public relations, strategic communication, or media relations, along with demonstrated college-level teaching experience

• Experience teaching undergraduate public relations and/or strategic communication courses
• Ability to teach or support courses involving research methods, analytics, or data-informed communication
• Demonstrated success in building community or industry partnerships that support experiential learning
• Professional experience as a public relations or strategic communication practitioner
• APR accreditation or other relevant professional credential

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• A recent sample of scholarship or creative/professional work
• Three letters of reference
• Unofficial or official college transcripts
• Statement of teaching philosophy

If you have any questions, please contact Youngrak Park, Hiring Manager, via email at .

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or…