The Department of Communication Studies at St. Mary’s University is hiring a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor to teach in the department starting August 1, 2024. Preference will be given to candidates with disciplinary foci in journalism, strategic communication, and/or public relations.
This is a full-time appointment with a nine-month service period. Anticipated start date is August 1, 2024. Evaluation and possible renewal in this position will be based on the areas of teaching and service.
The successful candidate will teach and mentor undergraduate students and develop curriculum that serve a diverse student population. Teaching responsibilities may include undergraduate courses in areas including media production; journalism, strategic communication, and/or public relations; research methods; and communication theory. The successful candidate must promote of a culture of excellence, respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additional responsibilities include advising undergraduate students and recruitment and retention initiatives. The successful candidate will have an earned a Masters or Ph.D. in Communication Studies or closely related field from an accredited college or university at the time of appointment.
University ProfileSt. Mary’s University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence: www.stmarytx.edu/about. St. Mary’s is the oldest Catholic university in the Southwest and continues to advocate the Marianist mission. St. Mary’s enrolls approximately 3500 students in a diverse university with four schools, more than 40 academic programs including Ph.D. and J.D. programs, and numerous pre-professional programs. The successful candidate is expected to support and contribute to the University’s Marianist educational mission.
St. Mary’s University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates apply.
Departmental ProfileThe Department of Communication Studies is in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, which cultivates the whole person in the Marianist tradition through academically rigorous programs that foster creativity, promote justice and advance scholarship for the transformation of local and global communities. The Department serves approximately 100 students across a variety of programs including three BA programs, three undergraduate minors, one graduate MA program, and two graduate certificate programs.
Minimum Qualifications
•Masters or Ph.D in Communication Studies or closely-related discipline•Academic, creative and/or scholarly foci in journalism, strategic communication, and/or public relations
•Ability to teach visual communication and media production courses
•Commitment to actively supporting diversity, collegiality, and inclusiveness and working with diverse faculty and students
•Ability and desire to mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students in course mapping, career and academic success, and student research
•Clear evidence of effective teaching in and an established ability to engage with students at all levels
Preferred Qualifications
•Commitment to fostering innovation and a culture of research and teaching excellence•Clear evidence of inclusive pedagogical practices and/or a commitment to support students at a Hispanic Serving Institution
•Experience working closely with HURM student populations
•Experience working with student-led news media•Professional experience working in news media and/or strategic communication/PR
•Ability to teach quantitative research methods
Special Consideration May Be Given To
•Candidates with experience in securing grant funding
•Candidates with experience in service-learning and/or community engagement
How to ApplyReview of applications will begin immediately with full consideration given to applications received by April 15, 2024 and will continue until position is filled. Start date: August 1, 2024. To apply, applicants should submit the following: 1) cover letter specifically addressing the candidate’s required and preferred qualifications and reflecting qualities that lend themselves to serving as department chair; 2) curriculum vitae with the names of three professional references. Further materials upon request. For inquiries, please contact Amanda Hill at ahill5@stmarytx.edu. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a clear background check.