Associate/Full Professor & Chair of Communication Studies

The Department of Communication Studies at St. Mary's University is hiring an associate or full professor with tenure to serve as chair starting June 1, 2023. 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 annually with expectations of summer work supported by a stipend for chair responsibilities. Anticipated start date is June 1, 2023. Evaluation and promotion in this position will be based on the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service.

The successful candidate will lead retention efforts, teach and mentor graduate and/or undergraduate students and may advise M.A. theses or projects; develop curriculum/courses/programs that serve a diverse student population; and pursue a peer-reviewed research program appropriate to the discipline. Teaching responsibilities may include graduate and undergraduate courses in areas such as journalism, strategic communication, public relations, research methods, and communication theory. Chair responsibilities may include strategic enrollment management, departmental assessment, support for accreditation, budgeting, academic planning, management of and consultation with faculty and staff, advocacy for the department, strategic development of existing and new programs; and promotion of a culture of excellence, respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Additional responsibilities include advising graduate and/or undergraduate students; recruitment and retention initiatives; university, departmental, and disciplinary service and committee work. All faculty serve on a variety of assigned and voluntary committees.

The successful candidate will have an earned Ph.D. or equivalent in Communication Studies or closely related field from an accredited college or university at the time of appointment.

University Profile

St. 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: . 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 Profile

The 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

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies or closely-related discipline
• Strong record of scholarship appropriate for an Assistant or Associate Professor of Communication Studies
• 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 and an established ability to engage with students at all levels
• Ability to oversee the department's budgets, class schedules, course offerings, teaching assignments, office assignments, and staff

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and/or knowledge of best practices in student retention
• 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 leading and supporting faculty and/or experience in faculty development
• Experience in departmental and university service
• Previous experience as a department chair or comparable university leadership with experience in areas such as supporting a collective vision, budgeting, curriculum development or revision, departmental assessment, and scheduling
• 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

Special Consideration May Be Given To

• Candidates with experience in securing grant funding
• Candidates with experience in Health Communication
• Candidates with experience in service-learning and/or community engagement

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin immediately with full consideration given to applications received by January 20, 2023 and will continue until position is filled. Start date: June 1, 2023. 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.