Professor of Practice - Public Relations

The Public Relations Department at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications invites applications for a full-time Professor of Practice (PoP) position beginning in Fall 2027.

We seek a public relations professional with substantial industry experience. Primary responsibilities include teaching, maintaining industry connections to keep the department and School current on professional practices and innovation, and service to the department, School, University, and community. This position offers an accomplished practitioner the opportunity to shape the next generation of public relations professionals, bring current industry challenges into the classroom, and help advance the department's curriculum and professional partnerships.

This position is part of a bargaining unit and is represented by a union, SEIU Local 200 United.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must hold a bachelor's degree. A master's degree is preferred.

An APR designation and at least 10 years of progressively responsible public relations experience, including substantial senior leadership experience, is preferred.

Job Specific Qualifications

Candidates should have extensive professional experience and a record of leadership in public relations, primarily in agency and corporate settings. The successful candidate will maintain and strengthen relationships with public relations professionals and organizations while building new connections. Areas of particular interest include executive counsel, financial communications and investor relations, and the effective and ethical application of artificial intelligence in public relations. Candidates should demonstrate success in advising senior leaders, exercising sound ethical judgment, and achieving measurable communications outcomes that advance organizational goals.

A strong commitment to teaching and student mentorship is essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to translate professional experience into engaging, rigorous instruction and to support students with varied backgrounds, experiences and career goals. Evidence may include college teaching, professional training and seminars, or structured mentorship of emerging professionals. Candidates are expected to bring diverse domestic and international perspectives to their teaching and demonstrate proficiency in digital and social media. A record of engagement with one or more leading professional communications associations, such as PRSA, Page, IABC, CPRE, or the Global Alliance, is preferred.

Public relations professionals with a strong passion for teaching and significant experience in public relations are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Teaching responsibilities may include courses in public relations campaigns and management, as well as financial communications and investor relations. Additional teaching opportunities may include ethics, writing, public relations principles or other areas aligned with the candidate's professional experience.

Professors of Practice teach six courses per academic year at the undergraduate or graduate level in our residential programs. Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may also have opportunities to teach in the School's online master's degree program or online undergraduate program in Strategic Communications.

Service responsibilities include mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students; advising and supporting the student-run agency Hill Communications; serving on department, School and University committees; contributing to curriculum development; and conducting community and industry outreach. Industry engagement should help create opportunities for client projects, guest speakers, professional mentorship and connections to internships and employment.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit the following documents for consideration:

1) Curriculum Vitae/Resume

2) Cover Letter that addresses the following:

• teaching/mentorship philosophy and experience, whether in classroom or professional settings;
• how you will create a classroom environment that is welcoming to all;
• how you will stay connected to industry for the benefit of students, as is expected for Professors of Practice

3) List of at least three references with knowledge of your work

4) Optional: Professional/creative work samples

For more information contact Professor Anthony D'Angelo, Search Committee Co-Chair, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University. Email: dangeloa@syr.edu

About the Newhouse School

The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University trains the next generation of communications leaders to enter a rapidly changing media industry and to shape its future. Called one of the "very best schools" in its field by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) in an April 2023 re-accreditation report, Newhouse has been lauded for providing an excellent educational experience due to its outstanding students, faculty, staff, leadership and facilities. The Newhouse School is committed to expanding academic excellence through experiential learning and professional opportunities for students and support for faculty research and creative activity.

Newhouse is home to approximately 2,150 undergraduates residentially and online, 230 residential master's degree students, 50 online master's degree students and 20 doctoral degree students. They are among the best in the country, having secured a place in the class through a highly competitive admissions process. The typical admitted first-year student has a 3.9 GPA.

The school's 250,000-square-foot, three-building complex is a leading-edge learning environment where students are exposed to top-notch tools and technologies used by professionals in the field. Features include Dick Clark Studios, a high-tech entertainment production facility that rivals many Hollywood studios; the Diane and Bob Miron Digital News Center, complete with a contemporary news set, a virtual studio that accommodates green screen production and state-of-the-art lighting systems and cameras; the Newhouse Startup Garage, a co-working space that provides services and resources for student startups and student creators; the Weiss Center, a student, faculty and industry-powered incubator that complements classroom curriculum through immersive, real-world application; and the Center for the Creator Economy, which builds real-world skills in media, entrepreneurship and digital strategy through a first-of-its kind academic initiative.

To learn more about the Newhouse School, visit https://newhouse.syracuse.edu.

About the Public Relations Department at Newhouse

The Public Relations program at Newhouse is one of the oldest and most highly regarded in the country and one of the few to offer PR education on all levels. Programs include:

• undergraduate (BS, Public Relations);
• master's (MS, Public Relations);
• Ph.D. (PR emphasis);
• executive education to mid-career executives;
• a public relations specialization in the online Communications master's program;
• a joint master's program in public diplomacy and global communications with the Maxwell

School of Citizenship and Public Affairs that emphasizes the interaction of communications

and international relations.

Current faculty in the department have professional experience in corporate, agency, government, not-for-profit and academic sectors. Research interests include crisis communication, ethics, gender and diversity, reputation and relationship management, digital communication and public diplomacy. Faculty hold positions of leadership in professional and academic organizations and are award-winning teachers and researchers.

The Public Relations Department is consistently ranked as a top program by PRSA and PRWeek, and holds a PRSA Certification in Education for Public Relations for its undergraduate and master's programs. In keeping with Syracuse University's commitment to be a community welcoming to all, the Department and the Newhouse School pride themselves on ensuring that its graduates are well versed in engaging with multiple audiences and perspectives.