JMU seeks two tenure-track assistant professors in public relations

[Chang Wan Woo]

The School of Communication Studies at James Madison University invites applications for two tenure-track Public Relations faculty members. Employment begins in August 2022. We seek persons who can bring innovative teaching, engaged scholarship, and practical experiences to the classroom and intellectual climate of the School. The School has an active and award-winning PRSSA chapter and student-run PR firm. Its Public Relations program also received an honorable mention for Education Program of the Year at the 2009 PRWeek Awards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Applicants must be able to 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 as well as strategic communication courses at the graduate level. We also look for colleagues who are willing to advise the school’s PRSSA chapter and/or direct our student-run PR firm, Bluestone Communications.

The School of Communication Studies provides a solid foundation for faculty creativity, collaboration, research, and teaching. Our student and faculty diversity is rapidly increasing: we excel in global education and community engagement; and we have a demonstrated commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity. We are especially interested in applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in communication or a related field is preferred at the time of appointment and ABD applicants are encouraged to apply. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of teaching excellence and possess a record of continued or promising scholarly productivity.

Preference will be given to candidates who can mentor a diverse population of students and have experience teaching or researching issues of interest to students of underrepresented and minoritized populations. Candidates who have professional experience or can contribute to any of the following needs in the department would be ideal: organizational communication, health communication, sports communication, or the general education communication course.

Review of applications will begin on March 31st and continue until the positions are filled. Applicants must apply online at https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/11589 where they can complete the faculty profile and upload the following documents: a letter of application; curriculum vitae; a copy of unofficial transcripts as document #1; student evaluations as document #2; and names, phone numbers and email addresses for three academic references. The cover letter should include a discussion of the candidate’s research interests, teaching experience and philosophy, and contributions or potential contributions to the diversity of the classroom, program, and university. Questions should be addressed to Dr. Chang Wan “Isaac” Woo (wo...@jmu.edu), the search chair.

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:
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

James Madison University is an equal opportunity employer 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, 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: (540) 568-6991.