Assistant Professor of Communication

Utah Tech University•St. George 84770, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Communication at Utah Tech University (UT) in St. George, Utah, is seeking one creative and passionate teacher/scholar for a tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Communication, with an emphasis in Leadership and Organizational Communication, to begin Fall 2027 semester. The position requires a 4/4 teaching load per academic year, and the successful candidates will be expected to teach courses related to student leadership, organizational communication, and/or professional communication. We invite applicants who teach and develop research on leadership and organizational communication across theoretical and paradigmatic approaches (qualitative, critical, quantitative), with interest areas in including, but not limited to, compassionate leadership, student-led organizing, community leadership and organizing, organizational support, ethics in leadership, public relations, strategic communication (across local/global contexts), and organizational justice and activism. Special consideration will be given to the applicant with a strong commitment to student mentorship and success. Special consideration will also be given to the applicant with a with a desire to reinvigorate the department’s current curriculum and design new courses related to the candidate’s specialty area(s). The primary consideration for tenure at UT is teaching, with expectations of university- and college-level service beginning at the second year of employment. Maintaining an active research trajectory is highly desired. Utah Tech University is establishing itself as a regional, comprehensive university with an “open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic” mission and the Communication Department plays an important role in fulfilling the university’s mission.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Communication or related field required.
A specialty that addresses the intersection of leadership and organizational communication is highly desired.
ABD may be considered if completion of degree will occur by July 1, 2027.
Have experience teaching and/or designing courses related to organizational communication, professional communication, leadership, and other core communication classes such as communication theory and research.
Demonstrate excellence or potential in instructing college-level courses, utilizing a variety of teaching techniques and strategies.
Demonstrate willingness to participate in college and departmental student recruitment and retention initiatives.
Have experience in curriculum development.
Ability to collaborate in a collegial, team-oriented workplace.

Nice To Haves

Sufficient experience in teaching, and working with, students with diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Demonstrate willingness to integrate active learning and other innovative pedagogical approaches in the classroom (see the University’s “active learning, active life” mission online).
Prior experience serving on committees or participating in service-related activities.
Research trajectory or agenda that would enhance departmental or university recognition via representation in journals and/or at conferences.
Previous online teaching experience and/or using online learning platforms.

Responsibilities

Teach 24 credits per academic year (with potential for overload) in Communication.
Course assignments include Leadership and Performance Teams, Organizational Communication and System Dynamics, Professional Relationships, Persuasion, and Ethics in Communication as well as introductory communication courses within the department curriculum.
Provide regular institutional service as outlined in Regent and University policy.
Consult with department chair and college dean in creating and proposing new curriculum.
Work with other faculty in program management, including furthering development and campus promotion of the Communication field, department, and programs.
Adhere to department, college, and university policies and perform campus-wide faculty responsibilities.
Develop and maintain a scholarship agenda in area of expertise that is appropriate to a teaching university like Utah Tech.