Assistant Teaching Professor in Communications

Paylocity; Elizabethtown (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Elizabethtown College invites applications for an Assistant Teaching Professor in Communications – Public Relations (non-tenure track). The nine-month, on-campus role supports a diverse student body within the School of Public Service and reports to the Dean. Start date: August 1, 2027.

Responsibilities include teaching Public Relations and related courses and advising student agencies. Ideal candidates hold a Master’s in communications or a related field with professional PR experience; a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, public relations or related field with significant professional communications experience.
• Professional experience in public relations or strategic communications is required.
• Ph.D. in communications or related field is preferred.
• Previous teaching experience with evidence of student-centered approach.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses including Public Relations, PR Writing, Advanced PR, Organizational Communications, Feature Writing, and Senior Capstone.
• Advise Jay Firm, the student-run public relations and strategic communications agency.
• Advise and mentor students, and supervise student research projects.
• Provide service to the program and participate in college-wide councils and committees.
• Support marketing and recruitment of undergraduate students to the program.

Skills

Public relations

Teaching

Communication skills

Mentoring students

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Master’s degree in communications or related field

Ph.D. in communications or related field (preferred)

Job description

Description

Elizabethtown College is seeking applicants for an Assistant Teaching Professor in Communications – Public Relations (non-tenure track).

The Communications program is housed within the School of Public Service whose mission is grounded in the motto of Elizabethtown College, Educate for Service. Our programs empower students to use their knowledge, expertise, and communication skills to solve pressing problems in their communities and around the globe.

This is a full-time, nine-month, on-campus position reporting to the Dean of the School of Public Service. The preferred start date is August 1, 2027. The College is looking to hire innovative faculty prepared to support our increasingly diverse student body. The School of Public Service faculty are committed to preparing students for lifelong learning, service, and professional outcomes. Approximately 30% of Elizabethtown College students are first-generation college students.

We are looking for a Public Relations specialist with the ability to cover a range of courses within the program. Primary teaching responsibilities will include: Public Relations, PR Writing, Advanced PR, Organizational Communications, Feature Writing, and Senior Capstone. This position also serves as faculty advisor to Jay Firm, a student-run public relations and strategic communications agency.

Candidates who have an interest in sports communications and sports PR are especially encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates will possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a commitment to collaboration. Experience with or demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, and support students from historically underrepresented groups is preferred. We prefer candidates with the ability to contribute to the diversity of our department and institution, whether through personal experience, teaching, scholarship, or service.

Job Duties:

Specific job responsibilities include teaching within the curriculum, participating in effective marketing and recruitment of undergraduate students to the program, advising and mentoring students, advising student research projects, providing service to the program, and making significant contributions to college-wide councils/committees.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in communications, public relations or a related field with significant professional communications experience. Professional experience in public relations or strategic communications is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Ph.D. in communications or related field is preferred

Previous teaching experience with evidence of student-centered approach

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, a narrative of practical experience, and contact & email addresses for three references. Summaries of previous teaching evaluations, if available, should be provided.

• The cover letter should detail your specific interest in being part of the Elizabethtown College community and how you will contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
• The teaching statement should detail a philosophy of teaching and emphasize strategies you will use to engage students.
• The narrative of practical experience should highlight how relevant work history and ongoing professional activity will enhance the teaching and advising of students.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a successful candidate is found. Inquiries can be addressed to Dr. April Kelly ([e-mail])

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.