Lecturer or Assistant Professor of Communication

Job Summary

Dalton State College invites applications for a full-time, 10-month faculty position in Communication, beginning on August 1, 2026. Depending on experience and qualifications, the appointment will be made at either the tenure-track Assistant Professor or Lecturer level.

Teach. Lead. Connect.

Dalton State seeks a collaborative, student-centered educator with a passion for communication in all its forms, oral, written, visual, and digital. The successful candidate will engage students in developing communication skills that empower them to lead, collaborate, and succeed in an increasingly connected world.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellence, or potential for excellence, in:

1. Teaching and student learning

2. Supporting student success through mentoring and advising

3. Research, scholarship, or creative activity, particularly those involving students

4. Service to the institution and community

5. Professional growth and continued learning

Teaching responsibilities are 24 credit hours per academic year for a tenure-track Assistant Professor or 27 credit hours per academic year for a Lecturer. Courses may include public speaking, interpersonal communication, mass media, communication theory, or related areas, with the opportunity to teach both lower- and upper-division courses. Teaching assignments may include day, evening, online, or off-campus classes.

Preference may be given to candidates with experience or expertise in digital/media communication or research methods.

About the Department

The Department of Communication, Performing Arts, & Foreign Languages at Dalton State College offers a dynamic environment where faculty and students explore the power of communication to inform, persuade, and connect. Faculty in the department are committed to experiential learning through student media, internships, and campus-wide communication initiatives and to fostering the skills that prepare students for careers in business, media, education, and public service.

Exceptional Facilities for Teaching and Practice

The School of Arts and Sciences offers modern facilities and strong institutional support for teaching, creative activity, and applied student projects. Faculty and students in Communication benefit from:

* Access to media and recording spaces for class projects and student productions

* The Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia, providing resources for storytelling, oral history, and community engagement

* Opportunities for undergraduate research, digital media creation, and public communication initiatives that connect classroom learning with real-world audiences.

These resources empower faculty and students to bring communication theory to life through meaningful, applied experiences.

Application Process

Priority consideration will be afforded to those applicants who submit a completed application by Friday, January 30, 2026. The search will continue until the position is filled. Applications must include these documents:

1. Letter of application that directly responds to the position description, highlights your relevant qualifications, and demonstrates how your professional experience aligns with the mission, values, and academic environment of Dalton State College.

2. A resume or curriculum vitae.

3. List of three professional references: please include full name, job title, organization, phone number and email address, a brief description of relationship with reference. Include current and/or past employers.

4. Statement of teaching philosophy and transcripts of all college work. Unofficial transcripts will suffice for initial screening; however, official transcripts will be required upon employment.

Minimum Starting Salary:

* $53,000 with a doctorate in a tenure track position; $44,000 for Lecturer.

* Salary commensurate with education level and experience.

* Individuals with a masters degree as the highest level of education will have a 10% decrease in starting pay in a tenure track position.

Benefits include:

Healthcare options

Retirement option:
Teachers Retirement Systems (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)

Tuition assistance

$100 annually in well-being rewards

Paid sick leave

Paid parental leave

Winter break (December Holidays)

USG Benefits

Responsibilities

Major - 100%

* Teach courses at the undergraduate level.

* Academic advising and mentoring students.

* Participate in service activities in the department, college, community, and other appropriate activities related to the field of expertise.

* Engage students in undergraduate research projects.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Applicants must hold an earned masters degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 18 graduate credits in the teaching discipline or closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Earned doctorate

Preferred Experience

* College classroom teaching experience.

* Experience or interest in supervising undergraduate research

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

SKILLS

* Evidence of…