Assistant Professor of Public Relations

[C25-094]

Assistant Professor of Public Relations

Department of Communication

Central Connecticut State University invites applications to join the Communication department as a full‑time, tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Public Relations beginning August 2026. We seek applicants who have an academic and/or professional background in the broad field of Strategic Communication, are interested in integrating new technologies and/or AI into existing Strategic Communication courses, and are able to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Public Relations/Promotions, Public Relations Strategies and Tactics, Social Influence, and Communication Campaigns.

The successful candidate will also be able to develop courses in a related area of interest (e.g., Political Communication, Sports Communication, Environmental Communication).

As we celebrate over 175 years of academic excellence and innovation, we invite you to be a part of our mission at Central Connecticut State University. Explore the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our students and the broader community — please visit CCSU to learn more.

The Carol

A. Ammon College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences (CLASS) prepares students for a complex and interdependent world as engaged and thoughtful global citizens. Through learning in the liberal arts tradition, we challenge students to be critical, creative thinkers; accurate, effective communicators; and knowledgeable members of society. Our graduates are innovative, intellectually curious, well‑read, and prepared for professional lives or further specialized study.

We achieve these goals through excellence in teaching; faculty and student scholarship; research and creative activity; and community engagement.

The Department of Communication is home to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies and Strategic Communication, as well as a Master of Science in Strategic Communication. The Strategic Communication Bachelor of Arts has two concentrations:
Public Relations/Promotions, and Organizational Communication.

The successful candidate will provide exemplary undergraduate and graduate teaching in the areas of public relations, strategic communication, and related fields.

Responsibilities include:

developing new courses, integrating technology and AI into curriculum, advising students, participating in departmental service, and engaging in scholarly activity that supports the departmental mission.

Education:

• All applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent in Communication or a related field (ABD candidates will be considered if they provide evidence of anticipated completion of doctorate by May 31 2026).

• Evidence of professional experience in public relations, marketing communication, social marketing, advertising, promotions, or a related area.
• Teaching experience in public relations, persuasion/social influence, communication campaigns, or related areas.
• Research experience in public relations, persuasion/social influence, communication campaigns, or a related area.

• Submit the following documents electronically by February 2, 2026
  :
  Letter of interest addressing the qualifications for this position; current resume; names of three current professional references with title, email addresses, and telephone numbers; recent teaching evaluations.
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. E‑mailed and mailed applications will not be accepted. Please redact any personally identifiable information (i.e., Social Security Number, date of birth, marital status, country of origin) from any documents submitted.
• Central is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas at this time. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Inquiries may be sent to Chris Pudlinski, Search Committee Chair, at 860‑832‑2701 or Pudlinski.

In accordance with the Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Collective Bargaining…