Job Details

Assistant Professor of Communication (Strategic Communication)

Position Number: 7052931
Location: Columbus, GA
Position Type: Communications - Public Relations and Advertising

Assistant Professor of Communication (Strategic Communication)

Job ID: 296917
Location: Columbus State University
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions - and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Department Information

Department of Communication

Job Summary

The Department of Strategic Communication, Media, and Film at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication beginning August 2026. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment.

The Department has two tracks within the Bachelor's of Communication degree program: Media and Film track, and Strategic Communication track. This position will support the department's newly integrated Strategic Communication track, which brings together public relations and communication studies. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar who can prepare students for careers in communication-related professions, teach core courses in public relations and strategic communication, and contribute to curriculum development aligned with evolving industry standards and departmental priorities.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses such as Introduction to Public Relations, Writing Across Media, Public Relations Management, and Crisis Communication. Depending on expertise and program needs, the candidate may also contribute to graduate courses in areas such as Data Analytics, Client Relations, and Communication Ethics, as well as courses in communication theory, research methods, or related areas.

In addition to teaching, the selected candidate will contribute to student recruitment and retention efforts that strengthen enrollment in the Strategic Communication program. The candidate will also support curriculum development and program growth in ways that align with departmental, college, and university priorities.

The ideal candidate will maintain an active research agenda in Strategic Communication or a related area and show promise for sustained scholarly productivity through publications, conference participation, and other forms of professional engagement. Because the program values evidence-based practice and analytical literacy, the department is particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to instruction in quantitative research methods, analytics, and/or data-informed strategic communication.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the ability to foster community and industry partnerships, particularly in collaboration with the Department's Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Center. These partnerships should support experiential learning, strengthen connections between the program and the broader community, and enhance student success. The ideal candidate will value community-engaged work and be able to connect teaching, scholarship, and service in ways that increase the visibility and impact of the Strategic Communication track.

Responsibilities

Significant Duties & Responsibilities include: Teaching four courses (12 credit hours) per semester at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, developing new courses as needed, advising students, and providing meaningful service to the department, college, university, and profession.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications include: Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field by August 2026. ABD candidates may be considered, but the degree must be completed prior to the appointment start date.; Evidence of effective teaching.; Demonstrated ability to teach courses in public relations and strategic communication.; Demonstrated understanding of contemporary communication practice, including the strategic use of digital and social media.; Candidates with a master's degree in Communication or a closely related field may also be considered if they have substantial professional experience in public relations, strategic communication, or media relations, along with demonstrated college-level teaching experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications include: Experience teaching undergraduate public relations and/or strategic communication courses.; Ability to teach or support courses involving research methods, analytics, or data-informed communication.; Demonstrated success in building community or industry partnerships that support experiential learning.; Professional experience as a public relations or strategic communication practitioner.; APR accreditation or other relevant professional credential.

Required Documents to Attach

Letter of application
Curriculum vitae or resume
A recent sample of scholarship or creative/professional work
Three letters of reference
Unofficial or official college transcripts
Statement of teaching philosophy

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Youngrak Park, Hiring Manager, via email at park_youngrak@columbusstate.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.
Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.
Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.
Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.
Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.
Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties:

A credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage;
Pre-employment drug testing for positions with high-risk responsibilities.
Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive a Columbus State University fleet vehicle or other vehicle designated as a fleet vehicle. A successful drug screening will be required as a condition of employment a randomly thereafter.

*Applicants for positions of trust may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. *

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.

Background Check

Position of Trust + Education

Special Applicant Instructions

Visit Columbus State University's online Careers portal to drive your career with us! The online applicant system provides you with the ability to review job opportunities and apply to those that you are interested in and feel qualified for. Each job posting has a summary description of the position and required qualifications. All job applications must be submitted through the online portal system.

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=30000&JobOpeningId=296917&PostingSeq=1