Assistant Professor of Public Relations

Assistant Professor of Public RelationsThe College of Fine Arts and Communication invites applications for a tenure-track, nine-month Assistant Professor in Public Relations in the Department of Mass Communication. Preferred start date: August 2027.Qualifications:Ph.D. in Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Mass Communication, or a related field.ABD applicants will be considered, but appointment will be at the Instructor rank, and all doctorate degree requirements must be completed by February 1, 2028.Demonstrated success or potential to teach public relations courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.Demonstrated potential to develop a strong body of scholarship.Applicants whose teaching draws from professional experience in strategic public relations or related fields are encouraged to apply.Responsibilities:Research-active faculty teach six classes over a nine-month academic year with undergraduate classes averaging 20 students and graduate classes averaging approximately 15 students.Undergraduate teaching may include Public Relations Writing, Corporate Communication Management, Strategic Public Relations Campaigns, Principles of Strategic Public Relations, Social Media and Strategic Communication, and other public relations courses.Graduate teaching may include Practice of Public Relations and Organizational Communication, Social Media Content Strategies, Qualitative/Quantitative Research Methods in Communication, Social Media Analytics, Crisis Communication, Media Relations, or other courses aligned with the applicant's scholarship and expertise.Applicants whose innovative research expands the department's scholarly reach and opens new avenues for curriculum development in public relations, sports communication, and related fields are welcome.Applications from scholars whose work explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, sports sponsorships, sustainability, and strategic communication, including implications for society, health, technologies, consumer outcomes, and media effects, are encouraged.The Department of Mass Communication offers an undergraduate major in Mass Communication with tracks in Advertising, Strategic Public Relations, and Digital and Broadcast Journalism. At the graduate level, the department offers a Master of Science in Communication Management. The department annually enrolls more than 400 majors served by 21 full-time faculty and over 20 part-time faculty and will be housed in the new state-of-the-art Smith Hall in 2027.Application Process:Review of applications begins on September 14, 2026, and continues until the position is filled.Please direct inquiries to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Hyang-Sook Kim, at View email address on click.appcast.io initial applications, submit: a cover letter summarizing qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, an unofficial copy of graduate transcripts, and the names and contact information of three references.Candidates who advance to the next stage of the process will be required to submit: a teaching effectiveness portfolio that includes a teaching philosophy, as well as potential or demonstrated evidence of teaching effectiveness supporting TU and departmental goals, a research statement, three letters of recommendation (submitted separately), and official transcripts prior to hire.Salary and Benefits: Targeted salary range: $67,000–$70,000. TU offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health, life, and retirement plans as well as tuition remission. Learn more about faculty benefits here. TU also offers a variety of employee perks and discounts, which can be found here.Background Check: A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the selected candidate, and the results may impact employment.COVID-19 Statement: The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for faculty, staff, and students as a reasonable and necessary means of protecting community health and safety.