Assistant Professor, Strategic Communication/Public Relations - School of Communication Studies

James Madison University; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Strategic Communication/Public Relations within the School of Communication Studies, beginning August 2027. The candidate should advance scholarly research, demonstrate strong teaching, and bring professional or applied expertise to the undergraduate PR curriculum and graduate program.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant program with an award-winning PRSSA chapter and opportunities to connect

Qualifications

• PhD in Communication or related field is required; ABD applicants near completion will be considered if the degree is conferred by August 2027.
• Must demonstrate evidence of teaching excellence and scholarly productivity.

Responsibilities

• Teach a variety of public relations courses at the undergraduate level, including public relations writing, theory, research methods, and capstone courses.
• Teach strategic communication courses at the graduate level.
• Incorporate experiential, project-based, client-based, and community-engaged learning where appropriate.
• Maintain an active research program contributing to scholarly study of public relations and strategic communication.
• Publish scholarly work in peer-reviewed outlets and present research at conferences.
• Pursue interdisciplinary research and external funding opportunities; mentor and advise students.

Education

PhD in Communication or related field

ABD near completion (degree conferred by Aug 2027)

Job description

Working Title: Assistant Professor, Strategic Communication/Public Relations - School of Communication Studies

State Role Title:N/A

Position Type:Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status:Full-Time

FLSA Status:Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division:College of Arts and Letters

Department:100017 - School of Communication Studies

Pay Band:N/A

Pay Rate:Commensurate with Experience

Is this a JMU only position?No

Is this a grant-funded position?No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?No

Beginning Review Date:10/26/2026

About JMU:

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Situated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The School of Communication Studies at James Madison University invites applications for a tenure-track Strategic Communication / Public Relations faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor. Employment begins in August 2027. We seek an innovative scholar and educator whose teaching, research, and professional experiences advance the study and practice of strategic communication and public relations. We welcome candidates who combine strong scholarly potential, excellent teaching, and professional or applied expertise and who can contribute to the School's undergraduate public relations curriculum and graduate strategic communication program.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant program with an active and award-winning PRSSA chapter and student-run public relations firm. The School's Public Relations program has also been recognized by the PRWeek Awards, including an honorable mention for Education Program of the Year. These opportunities provide an exceptional environment for faculty to connect scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional practice.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will:

• teach a variety of public relations courses at the undergraduate level, including but not limited to, public relations writing, theory, research methods, and/or capstone courses.
• teach strategic communication courses at the graduate level.
• incorporate experiential, project-based, client-based, and/or community-engaged learning where appropriate.
• maintain an active research program that contributes to the scholarly study of public relations and strategic communication.
• publish scholarly work in appropriate peer-reviewed outlets and present research at professional and scholarly conferences.
• pursue interdisciplinary research and external funding opportunities as appropriate to the candidate's research agenda.
• mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.
• contribute to the School's student professional development activities, including opportunities associated with PRSSA and Bluestone Communications, our student-run public relations firm.
• participate in appropriate School, College, University, professional, and community service.

We welcome candidates whose research advances the study of public relations and strategic communication through diverse theoretical, methodological, and interdisciplinary approaches. Expertise in digital and social media, emerging communication technologies, artificial intelligence, analytics, or other evolving areas of public relations practice and research is especially welcome.

Preference will be given to candidates whose research and teaching expertise complements and expands the School's strengths in organizational communication, sports communication, health communication, nonprofit communication, public affairs, and related areas.

Qualifications:

A PhD in Communication or a related field is required; ABD applicants with the degree near completion will be considered with the requirement that the degree be conferred by August 2027. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of teaching excellence and possess a record of continued or promising scholarly productivity.

Preferred qualifications include:

• professional experience in public relations, strategic communication, corporate communication, nonprofit communication, public affairs, agency practice, or a related field.
• experience teaching public relations writing, research methods, campaigns, theory, capstone, digital/social media, analytics, or related courses.
• expertise in digital and social media, emerging communication technologies, artificial intelligence, analytics, or other evolving areas of public relations practice and research.
• experience pursuing external research funding or demonstrated potential to develop externally funded research.
• experience with experiential, client-based, community-engaged, or applied teaching and scholarship.

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.