Assistant Professor, Strategic Communication, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication

About the Job

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the College of Liberal Arts invites

applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position to begin fall semester 2027 (08/30/2027).

Appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year (August 20, 2027- May 28, 2028)

and will be at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor. Salary and start up package is competitive.

We are seeking an outstanding scholar with research and teaching experience that address contemporary

issues in public relations and the strategic communication professions. An ideal candidate should have a

research agenda that centers issues of public relations in the context of artificial intelligence and/or social

media. This agenda may relate to areas such as (but not limited to) corporate social responsibility, public

relations management, activist public relations, and crisis and risk communication. A preference will be

given to individuals with professional experience in public relations/communications. The School seeks

applicants whose research, practice, teaching, and service will further the undergraduate and graduate

curriculum in strategic communication, as well as contribute to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in

higher education and at the University of Minnesota.

The successful candidates for this position will show outstanding promise and/or evidence of sustaining a

vigorous program of original research and publication with potential for external funding; show promise

and/or evidence of excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and advising (both M.A. and

Ph.D.); and demonstrate the capacity and commitment to teach undergraduate courses in the areas of

strategic communication case analysis, strategic communication campaigns, management for strategic

communication, digital strategy for strategic communication, professional writing for strategic

communication, and other strategic communication skills courses. The ability to contribute to the graduate

curriculum in areas related to theory and research in public relations and advanced methods is preferred.

Professional experience and the capacity to contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of a

rapidly evolving AI and emerging-media focused professional curriculum is also preferred.

The faculty and staff at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication are committed to

building a culturally and socially diverse community. We believe it is a vital component of the distinction

and excellence of our research and academic programs. We are eager to welcome a colleague who

supports and enhances the School's efforts toward inclusion, equity and the creation of a place where all

constituents can thrive.

Faculty in the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the College of Liberal Arts are

expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research that includes publication, develop and teach

undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; and contribute service appropriate for the rank of

appointment to the school, college, University, and profession. For more information see:

• The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass

Communication

• The Workload Principles and Guidelines for Regular Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Mass Communication, or relevant

discipline by the date of appointment. Demonstrated experience or ability to teach professionally-oriented

undergraduate public relations/strategic communication skills courses. Demonstrated scholarly output

relevant to the field of public relations/strategic communication in the context of artificial intelligence

and/or social media.

Preferred Qualifications: Professional public relations/strategic communication experience and the capacity to

contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of a rapidly evolving emerging-media focused

professional strategic communication curriculum, including an understanding of advanced research

methods. Evidence of the ability to work to support all students.

Candidates will be evaluated according to a) overall quality of their academic preparation and scholarly

work, b) relevance of their scholarly research to the departments academic priorities and fields of inquiry,

c) evidence of commitment to teaching and skills as a teacher, and d) strength of recommendations.

About the Department

About the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota is part of the

College of Liberal Arts and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Journalism and Mass

Communication. The Hubbard School offers three undergraduate majors in Strategic Communication -

Advertising and Public Relations, Professional Journalism, and Media and Information; and minors in

Media and Information, Sports Media and Promotion Minor, and Digital Media Studies. The Hubbard

School offers an academic M.A. and Ph.D. in Mass Communication and a Professional M.A. in Strategic

Communication.

Housed in Murphy Hall, a state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research of journalism, strategic

communication, and emerging media studies, the Hubbard School is home to the Silha Center for the

Study of Media Ethics and Law, the Minnesota Journalism Center, the Strategic Communication Hub,

Hubbard Digital Hub Studios, and the Digital Information Research Center/Sevareid Library. Hubbard

facilities also include the Murphy Hall conference center, multimedia classrooms, and

psychophysiological communication research labs, and a focus group room, which is used to support

graduate-level experimental research. A 2025 Murphy Hall renovation enhances the dedicated office,

meeting, interview, and event spaces available for the Silha Center. For further information, please visit

the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass communications website, at: https://hubbardschool.umn.edu/

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is

the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20

interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff

spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over

twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000

undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400

graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our

increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational

commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of

underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting,

and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and

viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand

and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $90000 - $110000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

Priority will be given to completed applications received by Oct. 21, 2026 but applications will be

reviewed until the position is filled

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.