Assistant Professor - Strategic Communication, Department of Emerging Media

OVERVIEW

The Department of Emerging Media in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas seeks applicants for a full-time, benefit-eligible, tenure-track faculty member in Strategic Communication at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning in September 2027.

The successful candidate will teach six courses (24 credits) or their equivalent per year in the practice and theory of advertising, public relations, and integrated strategic communication at the undergraduate level, including emerging practices in the discipline. The successful candidate will also work closely with undergraduate students by supervising student internships and coaching students for competitions, advising student clubs (Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), or the Advertising Federation), and/or mentoring undergraduate students participating in The Crest, our student-run media news outlet.

In addition to teaching, advising, and professional engagement, the faculty member is expected to perform service to the department, university, and community. The ideal candidate will show commitment to excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level, scholarly work and publication, professional experience, and ability to bring diverse perspectives to bear on the practice of strategic communication. The successful candidate will be part of an innovative faculty that also includes Journalism and Digital Media Arts in the department, with the opportunity and encouragement for the development of interdisciplinary courses. Please consult the Department of Emerging Media website for more information about our curriculum and programming.

About the University of St. ThomasThe University of St. Thomas is a dynamic, mission-driven university. Located in a residential neighborhood with easy access to two downtown metropolitan centers, we are Minnesota’s largest private university with eight schools and colleges, 150+ undergraduate majors/minors, and 55 graduate programs. Learn more about life as a faculty member at the Join the Faculty at University of St. Thomas website.

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment Without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition, the university of Saint Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good a successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission. Learn more about the University of St. Thomas mission and convictions at the Office for Mission website.

Salary and Benefits

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition remission benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous employer retirement contribution upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits
• Paid parental leave benefits

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $73,000.

The University of Saint Thomas has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the university may pay for position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements:Applicants must have a Ph.D. (U.S. or foreign equivalent) in advertising, public relations, strategic communication, mass communication or closely related field, or alternatively, ABD nearing completion of the Ph.D. may also be considered, with initial appointment at the rank of instructor.

How to Apply:

To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. 

The application process consists of several required steps, completed in the order outlined below.

Step 1.

You will first be asked to create an applicant profile. As part of creating your profile, you must upload the following materials: 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) that includes relevant teaching experience in advertising, public relations, strategic communication, or other closely related course topics.
• A one-page teaching philosophy that describes the candidate’s approach to inclusive pedagogy, effective teaching in emerging practices in strategic communications, and curriculum development.
• A sample course syllabus from a relevant course for which you were a teaching assistant or instructor of record
• A one-page description of the candidate’s research agenda that includes current and future scholarly plans.
• One scholarly writing sample.
• An unofficial copy of graduate transcripts from your terminal degree (a partial transcript will be accepted for ABD candidates).

Please upload only the documents specifically requested in the job posting at this stage. Do not upload any additional materials into other available fields.

Step 2.

After submitting your applicant profile, you will be directed to the job‑specific application. During this step, you will be asked to:

• A cover letter that addresses the following:
  • the candidate’s interest in the position,
  • highlights commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and/or undergraduate student mentorship relative to the position, and
  • approaches to engagement with the university’s mission and convictions
• Complete the voluntary EEO, Veteran, and Disability self identification forms

Step 3.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references who can speak directly to your teaching experience and qualifications.

• References will not be contacted without your permission
• Candidates who advance to the finalist phase will be asked to have their three references submit letters of recommendation.No other documents will be considered as part of the application.

Review of application materials will begin on September 18, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Please contact the search chair, Dr. April Eichmeier ([email protected].) if you have any questions. Finalists invited to campus will be expected to give a classroom lecture and a research presentation to the faculty.