Assistant Professor, Agricultural Communication

Assistant Professor, Agricultural Communication

Job No: 559762

Work Type:
Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track

Location:

Central California:
Cal Poly
- San Luis Obispo Campus

Categories:
Bargaining Unit:
Unit 3 - CFA
- California Faculty Association, Appointment Type:
Tenured/Tenure-Track, Time Basis:
Full Time, Job Search Category/Discipline:
Faculty
- Agriculture

The Agricultural Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full‑time, academic year, tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communication starting approximately August 12, 2027. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The primary responsibility of this appointment is to prepare future professionals in agricultural communication through student‑centered teaching, applied learning experiences, and industry‑engaged scholarship.

The successful candidate will contribute primarily to undergraduate instruction in agricultural communication, with an emphasis on strategic communication, journalism, marketing and brand communication, public relations, science communication, and foundational communication theory within agricultural and natural resource contexts. Teaching responsibilities may include courses in areas such as social media strategy, public relations writing, crisis communication, audience analysis, communication campaigns, and current issues in agriculture, as well as other courses as assigned and deemed necessary by the department.

Opportunities may also exist to collaborate with the Brock Center for Agricultural Communication and contribute to interdisciplinary instruction that supports other degree programs within the department.

The successful candidate will be expected to foster a learn‑by‑doing environment that emphasizes experiential learning, hands‑on skill development, and applied problem‑solving for the current communication market. Responsibilities may include supervising undergraduate senior projects, mentoring graduate students, advising student organizations and competitive teams, and supporting internships, field‑based learning experiences, and industry partnerships that connect students with agricultural communication professionals and stakeholders.

The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (e.g., research, grant writing, publications, presentations, and creative activities) as part of their professional development and contribute to advancing the field of agricultural communication via the Teacher‑Scholar‑Model. Scholarship should emphasize practical, applied research that addresses contemporary communication challenges in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities, particularly related to communicating complex issues to diverse public audiences.

The role also includes advising students, supporting co‑curricular activities, engaging in department, college, and university service, and collaborating with colleagues, industry partners, and community stakeholders to ensure that academic programs remain responsive to the evolving communication needs of California's agricultural industry.

Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring range:

• Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential…