Assistant Professor, Agricultural Communication

Cal Poly•San Luis Obispo, CA

1d•$90,948 - $105,156•Onsite

About The Position

The Agricultural Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communication starting approximately August 12, 2027. The primary responsibility of this appointment is to prepare future professionals in agricultural communication through student-centered teaching, applied learning experiences, and industry-engaged scholarship. The successful candidate will contribute primarily to undergraduate instruction in agricultural communication, with an emphasis on strategic communication, journalism, marketing and brand communication, public relations, science communication, and foundational communication theory within agricultural and natural resource contexts. Teaching responsibilities may include courses in areas such as social media strategy, public relations writing, crisis communication, audience analysis, communication campaigns, and current issues in agriculture, as well as other courses as assigned and deemed necessary by the department. Opportunities may also exist to collaborate with the Brock Center for Agricultural Communication and contribute to interdisciplinary instruction that supports other degree programs within the department. The successful candidate will be expected to foster a learn-by-doing environment that emphasizes experiential learning, hands-on skill development, and applied problem-solving for the current communication market. Responsibilities may include supervising undergraduate senior projects, mentoring graduate students, advising student organizations and competitive teams, and supporting internships, field-based learning experiences, and industry partnerships that connect students with agricultural communication professionals and stakeholders. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (e.g., research, grant writing, publications, presentations, and creative activities) as part of their professional development and contribute to advancing the field of agricultural communication via the Teacher-Scholar-Model. Scholarship should emphasize practical, applied research that addresses contemporary communication challenges in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities, particularly related to communicating complex issues to diverse public audiences. The role also includes advising students, supporting co-curricular activities, engaging in department, college, and university service, and collaborating with colleagues, industry partners, and community stakeholders to ensure that academic programs remain responsive to the evolving communication needs of California’s agricultural industry.

Requirements

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Communication or a closely related field. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment.
Demonstrated, or potential for, excellence in teaching.
Effective communication skills.
Interpersonal skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to be a team player.
Ability to interact well with peers, students, industry, government agencies, and the general public.
Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
Demonstrated, or potential for, an ability to secure external funding and publish research.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
Strong interests in undergraduate and graduate teaching.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.
Training and experience in communications, journalism, marketing.
Professional experience in effectively developing programs directed to communicating science to a wide variety of audiences.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching in a university or community college setting.

Responsibilities

Prepare future professionals in agricultural communication through student-centered teaching, applied learning experiences, and industry-engaged scholarship.
Contribute primarily to undergraduate instruction in agricultural communication, with an emphasis on strategic communication, journalism, marketing and brand communication, public relations, science communication, and foundational communication theory within agricultural and natural resource contexts.
Teach courses in areas such as social media strategy, public relations writing, crisis communication, audience analysis, communication campaigns, and current issues in agriculture, as well as other courses as assigned.
Collaborate with the Brock Center for Agricultural Communication and contribute to interdisciplinary instruction.
Foster a learn-by-doing environment that emphasizes experiential learning, hands-on skill development, and applied problem-solving.
Supervise undergraduate senior projects.
Mentor graduate students.
Advise student organizations and competitive teams.
Support internships, field-based learning experiences, and industry partnerships.
Participate in scholarly activities (e.g., research, grant writing, publications, presentations, and creative activities).
Contribute to advancing the field of agricultural communication via the Teacher-Scholar-Model.
Conduct practical, applied research that addresses contemporary communication challenges in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
Advise students.
Support co-curricular activities.
Engage in department, college, and university service.
Collaborate with colleagues, industry partners, and community stakeholders.