Assistant Professor Tenure-Track of Communication Studies

Job Title

Assistant Professor Tenure-Track of Communication Studies

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

Communication Studies

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

The Department of Communication Studies, within the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. We seek a dedicated faculty member with a passion for teaching, research, and student mentorship, committed to creating engaging learning environments and contributing to the advancement of the communication field.

This is a 9-month tenure-track position located on Tarleton's main campus in Stephenville, Texas. Summer appointment is dependent upon need and funding availability. Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching requirements indicate. May be required to teach at other campuses or online at the institution's discretion.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching, maintain an impactful research program, actively mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute to the essential operations of the institution. They should have a research and teaching background in public speaking, human communication interactions, communication theory, communication law, and various interpersonal communication contexts. Additionally, their research and teaching focus should align with interpersonal communication, with interests in areas such as individual and organizational use, perception, and sense-making of AI technologies, as well as the role of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and user-experience design (UX) in strategic and social communication.

This position offers the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations and shape both undergraduate and graduate programs. The candidate will support the department's instructional needs by teaching across different modalities (online, face-to-face, hybrid) and levels, with the expectation of developing innovative courses that align with departmental goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

60% Teaching and Service:

• Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum.
• Develop course syllabi, select instructional materials, and design assessments such as exams, quizzes, papers, etc.
• Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.
• Engage students in active learning, foster critical thinking skills, and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
• Provide academic support and guidance to students through office hours, feedback on assignments, and mentoring.
• Adhere to university policies, academic integrity standards, and accreditation requirements related to teaching responsibilities.
• Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Engage in ongoing professional development activities to stay current in the field, improve teaching skills, and explore new instructional strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues, departmental faculty, and university staff to coordinate course offerings, share resources, and contribute to program development and improvement.
• Participate in institutional service roles including but not limited to, college committees, advisory committees, student/faculty recruitment, and mentoring of new and part-time faculty.
• Willingness to assist in Tarleton State University Strategic Plan, Tarleton Forward 2030.

40% Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity:

• Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant's academic discipline.
• Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge/creative expression in the applicant's discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.
• Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.

Minimum Requirements:

• Earned doctorate in Communication or a closely related field from an accredited university.
  • Candidates who are ABD (with only the dissertation defense remaining) will be considered if the conferral date is before the appointment start date.
• Demonstrated ability or potential for teaching excellence in communication studies.
• History of or potential for teaching courses such as interpersonal communication, communication law and ethics, global communication, organizational communication, and computer-mediated communication.
• Record of or potential for interdisciplinary collaborations in scholarly activities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or potential for success in grant writing.
• Evidence of teaching across different modalities (online, face-to-face, hybrid) and at various levels (undergraduate and graduate).
• Potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration on research and creative projects.
• Experience or potential for collaborative research with students.
• Proven ability to develop and teach courses in communication tailored to departmental needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and understanding of disciplinary subject matter at a level adequate for graduate-level instruction; written and oral communication skills sufficient to conduct effective teaching and research activities; ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty in a professional, collegial, and collaborative manner.

Commensurate with experience

The target base annual salary is $56,400 - $60,000 commensurate with experience and may be negotiable based on funding availability and candidate experience/skillset in relation to the minimum requirements of this position. Tarleton State University offers a career filled with purpose and opportunity in addition to competitive wages. As part of the Tarleton family, the following benefits are also available to full time and qualifying part time employees:

Educational Benefits - employee perks that help enrich, grow, and foster career and professional development:

• Family Education Benefit (Tuition Scholarship) - scholarship opportunities for Tarleton employees, their spouses, or their dependents available after 6 months of continued full-time employment. Click the link to learn more about this incredible Texan benefit!
• Doctoral Educational Assistance - Full-time budgeted employees at all A&M System Universities, Agencies, and System Offices are qualified for reimbursement of tuition and mandatory fees. Eligibility: This program is applicable to the pursuit of a first doctorate degree only to full-time, budgeted employees who have been in a position no less than 2 long semesters. Click the link for additional details!

Employee Health, Wellness, and Financial Planning

• Fully covered employee health insurance
• Reimbursement of Insurance Premium Deductions! The State of Texas contributes to eligible employees' insurance coverages as of the 1st day of the month following 60 days of employment in an eligible position. For those who elect coverage PRIOR to the first of the month after 60 days of employment, Tarleton State University will reimburse employees the State contribution towards health coverage during those first 60 days.
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement and Insurance programs

Paid Leave

Tarleton employees enjoy one of the greatest PTO packages in the area!

• Paid sick leave
• Holiday pay
• Vacation
• Longevity pay
• Paid Birthday Leave - Tarleton State University awards all leave-eligible employees paid time off for their birthday!

Other

• Complimentary tickets to all Athletic and Performing Fine Arts events
• Tarleton Employees enjoy two complimentary general admission tickets for athletics and performing fine arts events on campus! Join Texan Nation on the bleachers or in the auditorium.
• Employee Wellness Release Time
• Staff Gym Membership Discount with Campus Recreation
• and other Tarleton Discounts

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a completed application for consideration. Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Application Procedure:

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents, and Submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via the "Submit" action.

Employment applications must include (required):

• Completed online application
• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• At least 3 current professional references and their full contact information
• Unofficial transcripts

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered. Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. "See resume" is not an acceptable entry in the job application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree-granting institution prior to a letter of appointment being issued.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.