Assistant​/Associate Professor in Communication; Instructional Communication​/Social Media​/College of Liberal

Position: Assistant/Associate Professor in Communication (Instructional Communication OR New/Social Media) / College of Liberal
The Department of Communication at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invites applications for an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor with Tenure to begin Fall 2026. The Department of Communication is in the College of Liberal Arts, the largest college at UTRGV, and offers degrees in Communication Studies and Mass Communication with tracks in Advertising & Public Relations, Broadcast and Journalism.

The department seeks applicants with an area of specialization in instructional communication OR new/social media.

INSTRUCTIONAL COMMUNICATION:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong record of research and leadership regarding the role of communication in learning environments. They will be expected to contribute to curriculum development, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate and graduate student pedagogy.

NEW/SOCIAL MEDIA:
The ideal candidate will possess substantial research experience in social media content creation and the application of AI technologies. They will be expected to teach and mentor students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, fostering an environment of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity. The candidate will develop courses in candidate's area of specialization in social media and AI technologies along with teaching courses in the advertising/pr track.

These courses may include (but are not limited to):
Visual Communication, Creative and Media Strategies, Communication Campaigns, Media Planning and Copywriting and Art Direction, as well as courses in the candidate's area of specialization.

Successful candidates must demonstrate a robust research agenda that advances the understanding of their specialty, and be capable of inspiring and guiding students in their own research endeavors. Responsibilities will include supervising master's theses, non-thesis projects and undergraduate honors thesis.

About UTRGV:

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.

Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website.

Minimum Qualifications

* Assistant Professor:
1) Ph.D. in Communication Studies or Mass Communication or related field from an accredited university. ABD will be considered but must have earned doctorate degree conferred by August 31, 2026.
2) Demonstrated research and publication record for tenure appointment. Demonstrable potential for a strong research and publication record for tenure-track appointment.
3) Demonstrated teaching excellence for tenure appointment. Demonstrable potential for teaching excellence for tenure-track appointment.
4) Willingness to learn UTRGV's online platform (Brightspace) and to occasionally teach online.

To be eligible for the rank of Associate Professor in the program candidates must be currently tenured at their current institution, and meet the department and…