Assistant/Associate Professor Sports Communication and Strategic Communication

Illinois State University•Normal, IL

74d•$74,000 - $87,000

About The Position

The School of Communication at Illinois State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position specializing in sports communication and strategic communication, beginning August 2026. We seek a teacher-scholar whose research and teaching bridge sports communication and strategic communication. In this role, the successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in sports and strategic communication; maintain an active and impactful research agenda; advise and mentor graduate students; contribute to curriculum development; and build connections with community and industry partners while engaging in service to the department, college, and university. Responsibilities include scholarly research/publishing, effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, and service. The normal teaching load is nine credit hours per semester. The individual in this position is thus expected to teach 3 courses each semester in the School of Communication. The School of Communication typically serves approximately 700 undergraduate and 40 graduate students, offering degrees in Communication Studies, Journalism, Mass Media, Sports Communication, and Public Relations along with a top-rated master's degree in Communication. The School has research and graphics computer labs, a Communication Innovation Center (CIC), WZND LPFM 103.3 (student radio), and high-definition television station TV-10 with live newscasts. A variety of active student co-curricular organizations are promoted, including Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Association for Women in in Communication (AWC), Lambda Pi Eta, a nationally ranked forensics program, and Student Television Workshop. The School is also home to The Vidette, a renowned student-run news organization. We are a collaborative group of individuals who value collegiality and enjoy working together. Illinois State University: https://illinoisstate.edu/, was founded in 1857 as Illinois' first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in seven colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State's Metrics of Excellence at https://illinoisstate.edu Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance's International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens' high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability's top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online's list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State's campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Requirements

Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Communication, Media Studies, Public Relations, Sports Marketing, or a closely related field. ABD considered, with degree completion by August 2027.
An emerging or established research record relevant to sports communication and/or strategic communication field
Expertise in both sports communication and strategic communication
State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for teaching positions.

Responsibilities

scholarly research/publishing
effective undergraduate and graduate teaching
service
teach undergraduate and graduate courses in sports and strategic communication
maintain an active and impactful research agenda
advise and mentor graduate students
contribute to curriculum development
build connections with community and industry partners while engaging in service to the department, college, and university