Professor of Media Communications

Hannibal-LaGrange; Hannibal (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hannibal-LaGrange University invites applications for an Open Rank Professor of Media Communications. This full-time faculty role teaches and advises students in Media Communication and Public Relations, leveraging the program's hands-on approach with partnerships and a campus news show.

Candidates should bring industry experience and be prepared to teach across communication disciplines. Experience in public relations, print or broadcast journalism, or digital media is valued, along with a

Qualifications

• Completed master’s or doctoral degree in communication, media communication, journalism, public relations or a closely related field OR a minimum of 18 graduate-level credit hours in communication, media, public relations, or a closely related field combined with relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to teach effectively at the undergraduate level. Commitment to the mission, values, and Christian identity of Hannibal-LaGrange University.
• Doctoral degree in a relevant field (preferred).
• Previous teaching experience in higher education (preferred).
• Professional or industry experience in public relations, journalism, broadcast journalism, radio, or digital marketing (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses across communication disciplines, which may include courses such as: Introduction to Media Communication/Public Relations, Introduction to Audio and Video Production, Public Relations Strategies and Tactics, Media Law, Advanced Public Speaking/Debate, Broadcast Journalism, and Introduction to Public Speaking.
• Contribute to the ongoing development, assessment, and refinement of curriculum ensuring academic quality, educational relevance, and alignment with professional industry trends.
• Mentor and advise students academically, professionally, and spiritually.
• Incorporate faith-learning integration through teaching grounded in a biblical worldview.
• Participate in university services including faculty meetings, campus visit days, committees, student learning assessment activities, and campus events.
• Support experiential learning opportunities such as internships, student media projects, or community partnerships that enhance student learning and community engagement.
• Maintain awareness of emerging communication technologies, platforms, and best practices.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned in support of the mission and academic goals of Hannibal LaGrange University.

Skills

Media theory

Public relations

Journalism

Communication skills

Organization

Education

Master's or Doctoral in communication

18 graduate credits with industry experience

Job description

Position Number: 1.2.10.1 Date: 10/13/26

Position Title: Open Rank Professor of Media Communications

Department: Media Communication Division: Arts & Humanities Number of hours per week for which this position is budgeted: 40

Number of months per year for which this position is budgeted: 12

Reports to: Vice President of Academic Administration

FSLA Requirement: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Open Rank Professor of Communications is a full-time faculty member responsible for teaching and advising students in both the Media Communication major and Public Relations major at Hannibal-LaGrange University. The Communication Studies program at Hannibal-LaGrange has a long history of producing award-winning storytellers in both national and state-wide competitions. Hannibal-LaGrange students have consistently placed in the Baptist Communicators Association competition as well as the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association competition.

The program offers practical hands-on training in a variety of fields to produce a well-rounded student who is ready to enter the workforce. Students gain practical experience through community partnerships with real nonprofit clients in the area. Students also produce a campus-based news show. Students have access to top-notch facilities and equipment such as a professional podcast studio, a news set, professional video equipment, and a mac lab.

The candidate for this position should have experience in the industry in either public relations, print journalism, broadcast journalism, or radio. The ideal candidate should also have full-time teaching experience at the college level.

In alignment with the University’s Christian mission and core values, the successful candidate will teach using a biblical worldview.

The candidate must possess a vibrant, personal Christian faith including a clear testimony of Christian conversion and be actively involved in an evangelical, preferably Southern Baptist, church.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach undergraduate courses across communication disciplines, which may include courses such as: Introduction to Media Communication/Public Relations, Introduction to Audio and Video Production, Public Relations Strategies and Tactics, Media Law, Advanced Public Speaking/Debate, Broadcast Journalism, and Introduction to Public Speaking.
• Contribute to the ongoing development, assessment, and refinement of curriculum ensuring academic quality, educational relevance, and alignment with professional industry trends.
• Mentor and advise students academically, professionally, and spiritually.
• Incorporate faith-learning integration through teaching grounded in a biblical worldview.
• Participate in university services including faculty meetings, campus visit days, committees, student learning assessment activities, and campus events.
• Support experiential learning opportunities such as internships, student media projects, or community partnerships that enhance student learning and community engagement.
• Maintain awareness of emerging communication technologies, platforms, and best practices.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned in support of the mission and academic goals of Hannibal LaGrange University.

DEPARTMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Academic Division
• Office of Academic Administration

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Broad knowledge of communication theory and practice, including one or more areas such as digital communication, print journalism, broadcast journalism, media production, public relations, radio, etc.
• Ability to integrate theoretical foundations with applied, experiential learning approaches that prepare undergraduate students for professional and service-oriented careers.
• Demonstrated commitment to effective undergraduate teaching, assessment, and student mentorship within a Christian higher education environment.
• Ability to integrate faith and learning through teaching grounded in a biblical worldview and consistent with the mission and core values of Hannibal-LaGrange University.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills are necessary for this position.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING

Required:

• Completed master’s or doctoral degree in communication, media communication, journalism, public relations or a closely related field OR a minimum of 18 graduate-level credit hours in communication, media, public relations, or a closely related field combined with relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to teach effectively at the undergraduate level. Commitment to the mission, values, and Christian identity of Hannibal-LaGrange University.

Preferred:

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
• Previous teaching experience in higher education.
• Professional or industry experience in public relations, journalism, broadcast journalism, radio, or digital marketing.

Disclaimer

* This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and/or other management as required. HLGU reserves the right to revise or change job duties, required skills, or qualifications as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.