Assistant Professor, Strategic CommunicationPublic Relations School of Communication Studies

Working Title: Assistant Professor Strategic Communication/Public Relations - School of Communication Studies

State Role Title:N/A

Position Type:Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Arts and Letters

Department: 100017 - School of Communication Studies

Pay Band:N/A

Pay Rate:Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only positionNo

Is this a grant-funded positionNo

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated positionNo

Beginning Review Date:10/26/2026

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginias beautiful Shenandoah Valley the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington D.C. and Richmond VA.

JMU is a selective public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21000 undergraduate and 1800 graduate students with over 1000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts science and technology and professional disciplines at the undergraduate masters and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The School of Communication Studies at James Madison University invites applications for a tenure-track Strategic Communication / Public Relations faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor. Employment begins in August 2027. We seek an innovative scholar and educator whose teaching research and professional experiences advance the study and practice of strategic communication and public relations.

We welcome candidates who combine strong scholarly potential excellent teaching and professional or applied expertise and who can contribute to the Schools undergraduate public relations curriculum and graduate strategic communication program.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant program with an active and award-winning PRSSA chapter and student-run public relations firm. The Schools Public Relations program has also been recognized by the PRWeek Awards including an honorable mention for Education Program of the Year. These opportunities provide an exceptional environment for faculty to connect scholarship teaching mentoring and professional practice.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will:
- teach a variety of public relations courses at the undergraduate level including but not limited to public relations writing theory research methods and/or capstone courses.
- teach strategic communication courses at the graduate level.
- incorporate experiential project-based client-based and/or community-engaged learning where appropriate.
- maintain an active research program that contributes to the scholarly study of public relations and strategic communication.
- publish scholarly work in appropriate peer-reviewed outlets and present research at professional and scholarly conferences.
- pursue interdisciplinary research and external funding opportunities as appropriate to the candidates research agenda.
- mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.
- contribute to the Schools student professional development activities including opportunities associated with PRSSA and Bluestone Communications our student-run public relations firm.
- participate in appropriate School College University professional and community service.

We welcome candidates whose research advances the study of public relations and strategic communication through diverse theoretical methodological and interdisciplinary approaches. Expertise in digital and social media emerging communication technologies artificial intelligence analytics or other evolving areas of public relations practice and research is especially welcome.

Preference will be given to candidates whose research and teaching expertise complements and expands the Schools strengths in organizational communication sports communication health communication nonprofit communication public affairs and related areas.

Qualifications:

A PhD in Communication or a related field is required; ABD applicants with the degree near completion will be considered with the requirement that the degree be conferred by August 2027. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of teaching excellence and possess a record of continued or promising scholarly productivity.

Preferred qualifications include:
- professional experience in public relations strategic communication corporate communication nonprofit communication public affairs agency practice or a related field.
- experience teaching public relations writing research methods campaigns theory capstone digital/social media analytics or related courses.
- expertise in digital and social media emerging communication technologies artificial intelligence analytics or other evolving areas of public relations practice and research.
- experience pursuing external research funding or demonstrated potential to develop externally funded research.
- experience with experiential client-based community-engaged or applied teaching and scholarship.

Additional Posting Information:

Candidates should complete the online application and upload the following:
-A letter of application that describes your research agenda and its trajectory the public relations and strategic communication courses you are prepared to teach and how your scholarship teaching and/or professional experience would contribute to the Schools undergraduate and graduate programs
-Evidence of teaching effectiveness (uploaded under Other Document #1)
-A copy of unofficial transcripts
-Curriculum vitae
-Names phone numbers and email addresses for three academic references

Questions should be addressed to Dr. Chang Wan Isaac Woo () the search chair.

JMUs Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information please visit of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age color disability gender identity or expression genetic information national origin parental status political affiliation race religion sex sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access inclusion and diversity for all students faculty staff constituents and programs believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: .

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at or You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office located at 752 Ott Street Harrisonburg VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.