University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Tenure-track Assistant Professor Public Relations/Strategic Communication

ATTENTION:

The Department of Communication in the College of Arts & Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the area of Public Relations/Strategic Communication. This is a full-time, nine-month appointment beginning in August of 2025.

JOB DETAILS:

The successful candidate will demonstrate ability to teach courses including, but not limited to, advertising or public relations principles, public relations tactics, public relations case studies, campaign planning, and/or advertising and public relations research. Strong preference will be given to candidates who also demonstrate the ability to teach any of the following courses: advertising media planning, advertising copywriting and design, social media optimization, and new classes on the role of artificial intelligence in PR, journalism, or advertising. The successful candidate will have opportunities to teach graduate courses and to propose and teach public relations, advertising, and strategic communication courses in areas of the candidate’s particular expertise. Excellence in teaching; commitment to a communication, mass communication, or journalism research agenda; and a willingness to participate in academic advising and other university service are expected. Normal teaching responsibility is four courses per semester. The department embraces a diversity of research methodologies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Communication, Mass Communication, Journalism or related area (ABD candidates may apply but must have their degree completed by the contract start date in August 2025; if not, they will be hired on a one-year contract with the understanding that their degree will be completed before January 2026 in advance of their first scheduled review)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and teach public relations, advertising and/or strategic communication courses
• Demonstrated potential to pursue a rigorous program of research
• Ability to contribute service to the department, the college, the university, and the community

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience in public relations, advertising or strategic communication

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Full-time teaching responsibilities include teaching four courses per semester. Course assignments may include, but are not limited to: courses in the undergraduate Public Relations and Advertising programs, as well as courses in the department’s fully online graduate program
• Research expectations include publications and conference papers
• In addition, faculty members serve as advisors/mentors to students and are encouraged to engage students in undergraduate research or other scholarly and creative activities
• Service responsibilities include committee service at the departmental, college, and university levels and participation in community organizations relevant to the candidate’s expertise and interest
• Faculty at UW-W may be required to teach online and/or in a hybrid format or courses in the evenings
• Faculty may also elect to teach New Student Seminar or University Learning Communities or participate in other programs geared toward improving student success

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:

The Department of Communication is the largest department in the College of Arts and Communication and one of the largest at the University. The department serves more than 600 students who major in one of our seven emphases and their corresponding minors: Advertising, Broadcast/Print/Web Journalism, Corporate and Health Communication, Electronic Media, International Journalism, Media Arts and Game Development, and Public Relations. The department’s graduate program serves a diverse population of recent undergraduates and returning professionals.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs – online and in person – from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities – a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater’s campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.

Belonging and mattering are central to the university’s culture, and UW-Whitewater strives to maintain an environment where individual and collective efforts are valued and celebrated. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $53,000.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System’s comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

Applications received by November 3, 2024 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or .

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Professor Corey Davis
Search and Screen Committee Chair
262-472-5026

TO APPLY:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter/letter of interest
• Curriculum Vita
• Name and contact information for three professional references (letters of recommendation may be solicited at a later time)
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Copies of Teaching Evaluations
• Copies of unofficial graduate transcripts (official transcripts will be required if offered the position)

This Job ID is 21291.

A potential applicant who is NOT currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System, click here:

UW-Whitewater External Applicants

A current employee of the University of Wisconsin System, click here:

UW-Whitewater Internal Applicants

Before you get started with the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) by selecting the link below.

Apply Online FAQ’s

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Assistant Professor of Journalism & Mass Communication, Political Science, &/or Psychology

• Location: Madison, Wisconsin

• Department: COLLEGE OF LETTERS AND SCIENCE/JOURNALISM & MASS COMMUNICATION-GEN

• Category: Faculty

• Employment Type: Faculty-Full Time
• Employment Type: Onsite

• Application Period Opens: Aug 27, 2024, at 12:50 AM CDT

• Job Number: 304352-FA

Job Summary:

As part of a group hire supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the College of Letters and Science at UW-Madison, The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Department of Political Science and the Department of Psychology seek two full-time Assistant Professors beginning August 18, 2025, with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in research and teaching and an emphasis on communication, social identity and civil society. Each successful candidate’s tenure home will be in one of the three participating departments, or some combination of the three, in consultation with the candidates. As such, the selected candidate will teach a range of undergraduate and graduate courses in one of three, or some combination of the three, departments/schools: the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Department of Political Science and/or the Department of Psychology. The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science, that values, prioritizes, and actualizes evidence-based and student-centered teaching and (undergraduate student) mentoring. They will contribute to an inclusive, fair, and equitable environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students and members of the broader community.

We seek to strengthen our cutting-edge research, teaching, and practice concerning issues of communication, social identity, and civil society. We are particularly interested in scholars studying one or more of the following issues: 1) communication ecologies, social structure, and civic life; 2) political discourse, contentious politics, and democratic health; and 3) social identity, social and racial injustice, and conflicts over political power and social respect. The successful candidate will join a community of productive scholars who value a wide variety of conceptual, methodological, and analytical perspectives including, but not limited to: quantitative observation, qualitative fieldwork, content analysis, survey analysis, experimental research, computational analysis, archival research, field interventions, translational and implementation work, and emerging artificial intelligence techniques.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate, as a member of the College of L&S, will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college’s commitment to equity among all aspects of their teaching, mentoring, research, and service. In addition to developing and maintaining a robust research portfolio in the area(s) of communication, social identity, and civil society, the successful applicant will mentor highly motivated master’s and doctoral students in this area of high demand and societal impact. Successful candidates will be expected to participate in the research mission of the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal at UW-Madison. The standard teaching load is four courses per academic year, typically including one graduate seminar per year. University and professional service is required appropriate to career stage.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
PhD
A Ph.D. in communication, political science, psychology, or related field is required by the start of the appointment.

Qualifications:

Successful candidate must engage in high-quality research and teaching commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will demonstrate experience with fostering or the ability to foster an inclusive and equity-centered teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental, and research environment where all can thrive.

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Anticipated Begin Date:

AUGUST 18, 2025

Salary:

Negotiable

ACADEMIC (9 months)

Additional Information:

The faculty members across the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Department of Political Science and the Department of Psychology are also involved in teaching an innovative undergraduate curriculum and oversee three of the nation’s top graduate programs. The University of Wisconsin-Madison enjoys outstanding intellectual resources, teaching and research laboratories, and multiple sources of research support. In 2022, UW-Madison ranked eighth in the world for communication and media studies, and top five in the U.S. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers leading doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate programs. The Department of Political Science is one of the oldest and most respected political science departments in the country, and offers doctoral and undergraduate programs. The Department of Psychology at UW-Madison is highly rated and is a leader in its field. The department is multidisciplinary, has a highly collaborative environment, and is one of the largest and fastest growing majors at UW-Madison. The Department of Psychology offers cutting-edge research, along with award winning students, staff, and faculty.

Highlighting UW-Madison’s leadership in interdisciplinary research in the areas of this search, the SJMC houses the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal, the Center for Communication and Democracy, the Center for Journalism Ethics, the Mass Communication Research Center, and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. SJMC faculty are also affiliates of Robert F. and Jean E. Holtz Center for Science & Technology Studies, the Center for High Throughput Computing, the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, and the Institute for Diversity Science. The Department of Political Science houses the Elections Research Center and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership. The Department of Psychology has affiliations with numerous centers, including, but not limited to the Center for Healthy Minds, the Health Emotions Research Institute, Harlow Center for Biological Psychology, the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, and Wisconsin Twin Research.

UW-Madison is known for its interdisciplinary, international character, something that is evident through the many affiliations our faculty maintain with other units on campus as well as collaborations around the world. Located at the nexus of four beautiful lakes, Madison, the state capital, consistently ranks among the top American cities for its quality of life. University employees enjoy a thriving entertainment, cultural, sports, and “foodie” environment.

The College of Letters & Science is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all of us – students, staff, and faculty – can thrive. Ours is a community in which we all are welcome. Most importantly, we strive to build a community in which all of us feel a great sense of belonging. There is no excellence without diversity in all its forms; diverse teams are more creative and successful than homogeneous ones. We are better when we are diverse and when we acknowledge, celebrate and honor our diversity. In acknowledging and honoring our diversity, we also assume a responsibility to support and stand up for each other.

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

How to Apply:

Telephone and email inquiries to discuss this position are welcome. Contact Professor Michael Wagner (608-263-3392 /). Additional search committee members are also available to answer questions. They are: Professor Dhavan Shah (SJMC, ), Professor Kathy Cramer (political science, ), and Professor Markus Brauer (psychology, ).

To apply, candidates should visit jobs.wisc.edu, search for position #304352 and click on “Apply Now.” Candidates will be required to submit 1) a cover letter detailing research interests, teaching qualifications, and any relevant professional experience; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) teaching evaluations or other evidence of teaching effectiveness, and 4) two samples of scholarly work. In addition, you will be asked for the names and contact information for three references. References will be contacted upon application submission and asked to upload a signed letter of reference. To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 15, 2024; applications will be accepted until position is filled.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer; we promote diversity and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students and encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, information regarding applications for this position must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality. Employment will require a criminal background check.

Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant’s dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring. Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant’s ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of application materials must be created by the applicant that may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.

Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed ‘Authorization to Release Information’ form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of ‘misconduct’ can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/

Contact:

Michael Wagner

608-263-3392

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Assistant Professor (FA040)

Department(s):

A48-COL OF LETTERS & SCIENCE/JOURN & MASS COM/JN & MASS

Employment Class:

Faculty

Job Number:

304352-FA

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.