Texas Tech University

 

Assistant Professor of Practice in Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management
Requisition Number 36768BR                            

Position Description:

The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, Assistant Professor of Practice to begin September 1, 2024.

About the University:

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School.  The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.

About the College:

The College of Media & Communication (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/) at Texas Tech University serves approximately 2,300 undergraduate majors in five departments, 300 M.A. students in three programs, and 35 Ph.D. students. The college’s enrollment and credit hours have grown consistently for the last seven years; the number of full-time faculty has almost tripled; the area for college facilities has increased more than 40%. CoMC is the #1 rated research unit in the TTU system per the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking). Its private and state grants initiatives have skyrocketed in recent years, achieving its 2025 grants goals in fall 2020. It maintains high standards for teaching, even as its reputation as a media research center expands. CoMC metrics for student retention and graduation rates are near the top at Texas Tech in many categories. The college is proud that Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine recently ranked it 19th nationally for graduating Hispanic/Latinx students, and individuals and teams in the college have won awards for their dedication to diversity and inclusion (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/diversity/). Junior faculty hires from top doctoral programs in recent years reflect this ascendance.

In addition to Hispanic and international communication, research strengths among college faculty include strategic, science/health, gaming/AI, leadership, interpersonal/organizational, and political communication as well as social scientific research methods. The college’s Center for Communication Research offers state-of-the-art facilities for studying audience responses to media messages (www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/research/ccr/). The Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic and International Communication studies and offers programs in Hispanic and international/intercultural communication (comc.ttu.edu/research/hihic).

About the Department/School/Area:

The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management (PRSC; https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/programs/publicrelations/) is home to more than 400 undergraduate face-to-face and distance students, with 15 full-time faculty and several adjunct instructors. The department trains students how to manage integrated communication programs, campaigns, and resources to effectively and ethically advocate for the organizations and causes that our students are passionate about. It combines the diverse expertise of both professional and research faculty members to create a rigorous curriculum that develops students’ proficiency in communication, leadership, media relations, global communication, diversity, ethics, data analysis, new technology, critical thinking, and strategic planning so that they are “client ready.”

About Lubbock:

Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

Major/Essential Functions:

At Texas Tech University, the Professor of Practice title is used to recruit individuals with exceptional backgrounds and achievements in academic, business, government, or other professional practice. Primary responsibilities normally will be to teach in an area of expertise, mentor students in professional and career preparation, and liaise with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program.

In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with diverse student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

Required Qualifications:

  1. A master’s degree in public relations, strategic communication, or a related field, or a combination of work experience and the required number of graduate-level credit hours (18) to teach undergraduate courses in the state of Texas.
  2. Professional experience in applied strategic communication settings.
  3. Demonstrated commitment to maintaining professional currency.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

  1. 10+ years of professional experience in applied strategic communication settings.
  2. Experience teaching at the university level in public relations, social media, and/or strategic communication, and/or experience teaching in industry settings.
  3. Experience mentoring undergraduate student groups.
  4. Experience establishing industry-academic partnerships.

Safety Information:

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include the following documents in your application:

  1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Work samples or link to online portfolio
  4. Other document(s) directly related to required qualifications
  5. List of references

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Ioana Coman, Search Committee Chair, at , or 806-834-0936. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at or 806-742-3851.

Application Process

The deadline to submit applications is on March 31, 2024.

To ensure full consideration, please complete an online application at: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25898&siteid=5637#home

Requisition # 36768BR