Assistant Professor of Communication - Public Relations -

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Communication at Western Carolina University seeks a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor with a primary focus in public relations and strategic communication. This nine-month position begins in August 2027, teaching three undergraduate courses per semester and engaging in scholarship, advising students, and departmental service.

Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field with 18 graduate hours in communication and prior teaching

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field; 18 graduate hours in communication.
• Prior teaching experience; ABD considered with expected Ph.D. within one year of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Teach three undergraduate courses in communication each semester.
• Advise students and the WCU PRSSA chapter.
• Engage in scholarly activities and department, institutional, and regional service.

Skills

Public relations

Crisis communication

Digital communication

Education

Ph.D. in Communication or related field

Job description

Assistant Professor of Communication - Public Relations - #000555

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance.

• Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.
• Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.
• Optional disability plans are also available.
• Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses.
• Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.
• Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately.
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC.

The Department of Communication at Western Carolina University ( WCU ) is seeking a full-time, tenure-track, assistant professor of communication position with a primary focus in public relations and strategic communication. This is a nine-month position with an expected begin work date of August 2027.

Duties will include teaching three undergraduate courses in communication each semester, engaging in scholarship, advising students, advising WCU’s PRSSA chapter, and engaging in departmental, institutional, and regional service. In addition to teaching public relations courses, the successful candidate may have opportunities to teach professional development and other communication courses based on their areas of expertise and departmental needs.

Housed within the College of Arts & Sciences, the Department of Communication offers a B.S. degree in Communication with concentrations in broadcasting, health communication, interpersonal & cultural communication, journalism, and public relations. With approximately 250 communication majors and minors, the department also offers a minor in communication, a minor in journalism, and serves approximately 2,000 freshmen and transfer students each year in the liberal studies Foundations of Communication course that is required of all students. The department has a strong interdisciplinary focus, and provides a variety of communication courses in areas such as conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, family and close relationships, television production, intercultural communication, international reporting, and crisis communication to other colleges at WCU including programs in health sciences, social justice, construction management, international studies, environmental science, motion picture studies, special education, and emergency and disaster management.

The Department of Communication is known for its engaged teaching and learning, and the department prides itself on its students’ involvement in service learning, community engagement, and undergraduate research projects. Applicants are encouraged to visit the WCU website (www.wcu.edu) and read the university’s mission, vision, and core values.

WCU is committed to the Boyer model of scholarship, stewardship of place, integrated learning, and engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

This position will support courses within the Department of Communication’s major offerings. Applicants must have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in public relations. An ideal candidate will be knowledgeable in other areas such as crisis communication, as well as the impact and application of technology and digital communication on the field of communication and public relations. In addition to teaching within the major’s core and advanced-level courses, applicants will be required to engage in academic/student advising, mentor students, participate in student recruitment and curriculum development, and conduct scholarly activities and all other activities required for tenure.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess at the time of appointment a Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field with a minimum of 18 graduate hours in communication. Applicants must have prior teaching experience. Degrees must be from an accredited institution. ABD applicants will be considered with the expectation of conferral of a Ph.D. within one year of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants with a Ph.D., who have previous university-level teaching experience, are proficient in public relations, who have professional experience and the ability to network and make connections within the public relations industry, who have a demonstrated track record of academic publishing, and who have knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods are highly desired. Research and/or teaching interest in additional communication areas such as sport, health, or social media/new technology is highly desirable.

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Months Per Year

Number of Months Per Year 9

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).