Messiah University
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
The Department of Communication in the School of the Arts, Culture & Society at Messiah University invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Public Relations to begin August 2025.
Position Summary: The assistant professor position supports the teaching of undergraduate courses within Public Relations curriculum. This is a term-tenure track position.
Responsibilities: Depending on areas of expertise, the successful candidate will teach a range of introductory and upper-level courses in public relations (for example, Principles of Strategic Public Relations, Writing for Strategic Public Relations, Event Planning, Strategic Public Relations Campaign, Communication Design, and Fundraising). The candidate will also serve as academic advisor to students enrolled in the public relations major as well as serve as Faculty Advisor to the University’s PRSSA chapter. In addition, the candidate will be expected to contribute to the Department’s core curriculum as well as to the University’s general education program by teaching the Fundamentals of Oral communication course and other general education offerings.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. in public relations, strategic communication or a related field is required. Professional experience in public relations or a communication-related field is a plus. Evidence of excellence in teaching is expected, as is evidence that the faculty member can support the University’s mission and identity as a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Candidates who are selected for further consideration will be asked to submit a teaching philosophy statement, a statement of faith, a sample syllabus, and three letters of recommendation.
The Program: Messiah’s public relations major helps students to further their knowledge in public relations with the flexibility to take courses in specialty areas that interest them most. Learning to apply theories effectively and ethically in a wide range of public relations specialties, students graduate with hands-on experience and the foundation needed to pursue public relations or communication-related careers in the non-profit, corporate, healthcare or education world or further their education through graduate studies.
The Department: The Messiah University Department of Communication values a holistic, liberal arts approach to our discipline. We adapt to trends and developments in communication as we stress the intellectual development, spiritual awareness, moral integrity and global citizenship of our students. The department’s mission is to educate students to become more competent, creative, and compassionate communicators in the realms of rhetorical, relational, mediated, and visual communication. Fostering connections between Christian faith and the study of communication in personal, vocational, and public life, we believe that communication can be used to solve human problems, promote meaningful relationships, bridge cultural divides, produce effective messages, and improve the quality of human life.
The University: Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences and has a student body of more than 2,600 undergraduate students including over 21% of under-represented and 2.1% international students from 29 countries and nearly 800 graduate students.
The University is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. Messiah University is a teaching institution that emphasizes instruction but values research and public service. Strong support is given to faculty development in teaching and scholarship.
Diversity: Messiah University’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” The University has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee they will contribute to the advancement of this position through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service and public engagement.
Compensation: Salary and rank commensurate with qualifications and experience
Applications/Nominations: Application materials will be reviewed beginning February 1, 2025, and will be accepted until the position is filled. Please provide current curriculum vitae and transcripts as well as a letter of interest that clearly explains how your Christian faith represents a strong fit with the mission of Messiah University, which is “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.”Additional documents required for application to this position are listed in the online job posting. Paper applications will not be accepted. To submit an application and supporting materials see: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/28514
Messiah University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, or veteran’s status in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs. Consistent with our nondiscrimination statement, the University does not tolerate abuse or harassment of employees, students or other individuals associated with the University. This includes, but is not limited to, vendors, contractors, and guests on the basis of, but not limited to, any of the above categories.
