Assistant Professor, Communications

University of Tampa; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tampa invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication to begin in August 2027. The position supports both undergraduate CSS and the MAPC graduate programs, with a 3-course per semester load and opportunities for leadership roles such as SPE 208 Course Director or Center for Public Speaking Director.

Ideal candidates will show a commitment to teaching excellence, scholarly productivity, and the ability to engage students in learning

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in Communication or related field by the time of appointment.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses including SPE 200, SPE 208 and SPE 308.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarly activity on campus.

Responsibilities

• Teach up to 3 courses per semester (12 credits) in CSS and MAPC programs.
• Engage in scholarly research and potential program leadership roles during the pre-tenure period.
• Contribute to department service and curriculum development.

Skills

Teaching

Research

Course leadership

Education

Ph.D. or terminal degree in Communication

Job description

R0011015

Tampa

Position Details

Job Description

The University of Tampa is a medium-sized, comprehensive, residentially based private institution of more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University is ideally situated on a beautiful 110-acre campus next to the Hillsborough River, adjacent to Tampa's dynamic central business district, which is a growing, vibrant, diverse metropolitan area. UT reflects this vibrancy; with 25 consecutive years of enrollment growth UT boasts 260 student organizations, a multicultural student body from 50 states and more than 100 countries, and "Top Tier" ranking in U.S. News and World Report.

The Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Letters at The University of Tampa invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position with teaching and research interests in business and professional communication to begin in August 2027. The total teaching load is 3 courses (4 credits each course = 12 total credit hours) per semester over two 15-week semesters per academic year.

This position will contribute to both the undergraduate Communication and Speech Studies (CSS) program and the graduate Master of Professional Communication (MAPC) program. Desired qualifications include readiness to teach undergraduate courses such as SPE 200 Oral Communication, SPE 208 Speech for Business and the Professions, and SPE 308 Group Communication, along with MAPC graduate courses, as well as a willingness to potentially serve in a programmatic leadership role during the pre‑tenure process, such as SPE 208 Course Director or Center for Public Speaking Director.

Faculty are expected to be teacher‑scholars informed by their area of study when teaching and mentoring students. The ideal candidate will be committed to excellence in teaching, have proven experience engaging students in learning by doing, and be available to have teaching availability during the day and the evenings. Tenure‑track faculty are additionally expected to maintain a productive scholarly agenda and be engaged on campus.

The Department of Communication is the largest in the College of Arts and Letters, with four undergraduate majors: Communication and Speech Studies; Journalism; Advertising and Public Relations; and Communication and Media Studies. The position sits specifically within the Communication and Speech Studies program and the hiring committee is composed of primarily CSS faculty members. The department also contributes to two interdisciplinary graduate programs, the MA in Professional Communication and the MA in Social and Emerging Media.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in Communication or another closely related field by the time of appointment.

This position is in beautiful Tampa, Florida. Salary and benefits are competitive. Applications will be reviewed by the committee, with first‑round interviews conducted via Zoom and final‑round interviews taking place on campus.

Any questions regarding the position may be directed to our Hiring Committee Chair, Dr. Stephen Kromka, via email at [e-mail].

Please detail what materials are required as part of the application (i.e. CV, Cover Letter, etc.):

• CV
• Cover Letter

In addition, applicant should be prepared to provide name and contact information for three (3) professional references.

The University delivers challenging and high-quality educational experiences to a diverse group of learners. The University has a strong core curriculum rooted in the liberal arts, an enduring commitment to internationalization that has garnered the Senator Paul Simon Award, and a practical, experiential approach to learning. The University offers more than 200 areas of study, including majors in our colleges of Arts and Letters, Business, Natural and Health Sciences and Social Sciences, Math and Education and 18 master's programs, and 3 professional doctoral programs.

The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) is a place where theory meets practice and expression meets experience. Guided by faculty who are talented artists and distinguished scholars, students come to CAL to study everything from fleeting snaps to enduring works of classic literature. The College is home to eight collaborative and innovative academic departments: Art and Design, Communication, English and Writing, Film, Animation and New Media, Languages and Linguistics, Music, Philosophy and Religion, and Theatre and Dance.

As a community of scholars and artists, the College of Arts and Letters engage in cutting‑edge creative work, technological innovation, critical scholarly practice, and dialogue with diverse communities. Faculty and students across CAL work with emerging technologies in cutting‑edge facilities including the stunning new Ferman Center for the Arts, the Bailey Art Studios and FabLAB, the historic Falk Theatre, the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values, and the Cass media production facilities.

The University of Tampa is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, or any other non-job-related criteria. The University of Tampa recognizes the importance of a multicultural community of students, faculty, and staff who seek to advance our commitment to diversity. The University invites applications from underrepresented groups and those who have academic experiences with diverse populations.

Submission Guidelines

To receive full consideration for a faculty appointment with The University of Tampa, please be sure to upload documents as required for this position at time of application submission. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made. Required documents should be submitted in the attachment box at the bottom of the "My Experience" page of the application before continuing through the application. Note: A maximum of five (5) documents may be attached to your application. If more than five (5) documents are required, please combine the additional documents into a single attachment so that you may continue through the application process.

Background Check Requirements

Finalists may be required to submit to a criminal background check.