Idaho State University

Assistant Professor of Social Media, College of Arts & Letters (2786)

Pocatello – Main

Institution Information

Idaho State University, established in 1901, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research and teaching institution, with a culture built on trust, compassion, stability, and hope. ISU serves over 12,000 students in Pocatello, Meridian, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. Students and faculty at ISU are leading the way in cutting-edge research and innovative solutions. We are proud to offer exceptional academics nestled in the grand, natural beauty of the West. We invite you to apply to be a part of our University community!

Job Description

The Department of Communication, Media, and Persuasion at Idaho State University invites applications for an assistant professor (tenure-track) to teach and expand our rapidly growing concentration in Social Media; participate in the graduate curriculum; advise and recruit undergraduate students; and maintain an active program of creative activity and/or research. We are open to a wide range of approaches and backgrounds, and encourage applications from scholar-practitioners, visual artists and designers, and other interested individuals.

ISU is located in Pocatello, Idaho on the traditional homelands of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Nation and boasts many excellent recreational opportunities. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Employer, ISU has an institution-wide commitment to inclusion and encourages all qualified applications, particularly from individuals who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to the university.

Key Responsibilities

This faculty member will contribute to our existing programs in Social Media and Visual Communication while simultaneously helping to expand these programs to meet student and industry demands. The ideal candidate will incorporate and expand our curriculum in UI/UX design, AI/LLM for media content creation, video/image production for social media, or other specializations depending upon individual qualifications.

The faculty member is also expected to become an active, engaged member of the department’s collaborative faculty and conduct scholarly research or creative production in line with department and college expectations for tenure. Due to the nature of this position, a broad swath of scholarly and creative activities will be considered within department and college guidelines.

Practitioners and those who engage in non-traditional forms of scholarship are encouraged both to apply and to seek more information from the committee chair. Queries may be directed to Dr. Jasun Carr at .

The Department of Communication, Media, and Persuasion offers a variety of undergraduate programs ranging from design and public relations to multiplatform journalism and social media, in addition to a Master’s program.

The department is housed within the ISU College of Arts and Letters, and boasts an award-winning NSAC team, multiple top-of-the-line computer labs, a professional-caliber Sports Video crew, and an exceptional focus on experiential learning. As a college, we pride ourselves on being a community of scholars who make meaningful, professional contributions to our disciplines, departments, university, and community. This includes being passionate about providing outstanding learning opportunities for our students, many of whom are first-generation college students from Idaho. We also pride ourselves on our commitment to working supportively and collaboratively with other members of the department to achieve university goals to meet our collective mission. Our goal in the College of Arts and Letters is to work together in putting students first, and we expect all our faculty to embrace this core value.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Ph.D., MFA, or M.Des (or ABD with a confirmed completion date before August 2025) in Communication, Design, Visual Arts, Marketing, or a related field.
  • Commitment to undergraduate education in the communication/media discipline.
  • Ability and flexibility to contribute to the existing curriculum at undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Familiarity with online or hybrid teaching methods.
  • Evidence of an active record of scholarship and/or creative activity, including work that may be viewed as non-traditional.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Professional experience in advertising, design, social media, or a closely related media field.
  • Expertise in creative media, social networking, UI/UX design, AI, LLM, content creation, digital trends, and/or social advertising.
  • Experience supervising experiential or community-based learning.
  • Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or similar software packages.

Additional Information

You must submit your CV/resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references, including current contact information. Queries may be directed to Dr. Jasun Carr at .

Letters of recommendation, evidence of teaching effectiveness, existing/proposed sample syllabus, and examples of scholarly and/or creative work may be requested by the search committee at a later date.

Review of applications will begin January 6, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Salary will be between $63,000 – $67,000 per year, commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision; life insurance; disability plan; employee assistance program (EAP); excellent retirement options and company contribution; and generous paid time off/sick leave accrual. All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background investigation, provided by HireRight.

Posting Number: req2357

Type: Working 9 months per year

Position: Faculty Tenure Track

Division: Communication, Media, & Persuasion

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email .

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/5765452