North Dakota State University
Assistant Professor of Practice
The North Dakota State University Department of Communication (https://www.ndsu.edu/communication/) is seeking outstanding applicants for an assistant professor of practice position focusing on Strategic Communication beginning August 2025. The position will support our Strategic Communication major, minor, and certificate programs and will require teaching four courses per semester.
Description & Details: The new faculty member will be responsible for teaching courses in the strategic communication major based on department needs and their background. Strategic communication course offerings include but are not limited to principles of strategic communication, research methods for strategic communication, media analysis and planning, advertising creative strategies, health campaigns, advertising campaigns, public relations campaigns, case studies in public relations, specialty writing, and media writing courses. The department is home to a variety of student organizations including PRSSA, AD Club, The Spectrum newspaper, and a student radio (KNDS) and television station (BIN). In addition, departmental faculty are expected to teach and/or develop courses in their specialty areas.
North Dakota State University is a research intensive, student focused, land-grant university. The Department of Communication is part of the College of Arts & Sciences. NDSU has a student enrollment of more than 12,000. The Department of Communication has approximately 250 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate students. We offer four undergraduate majors including agricultural communication, journalism, management communication, and strategic communication. Our department offers bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. Our department welcomes diverse applicants including people of color, single or married, partnered, female, international, LGBTQAI, and people with disabilities.
This individual will also be expected to serve the strategic communication major, advise graduate and undergraduate students, support the graduate program, and conduct service at the departmental, college, and university-level. Service to the industry and academic community is also valued. The position is a nine-month full-time faculty position. Faculty must adhere to policy outlined in the faculty policy manual. https://www.ndsu.edu/policy/.
The new faculty member:
- will have a 4/4 teaching load, which will normally include multiple sections of the same class
- receive support for travel to conferences
- may have a leadership role in the development of new strategic communication courses.
Responsibilities:
- Teaching courses in strategic communication.
- Contributing to the strategic communication major.
- Advising undergraduate students.
- Serve as advisor of a department student organization.
- Conducting service at the departmental, college, and university-level. Service to the industry and academic community is also valued.
Work Schedule: Nine month position, 3-year contract, renewable.
Advertised Salary: The position offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package.
- Minimum Qualifications:
- Will have a terminal degree in communication or related field by August 15, 2025.
- Teaching experience with good evaluations.
- Excellent, effective oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Completed Ph.D. in a strategic communication or related field.
- 2+ years of professional experience in strategic communication.
- Experience teaching in person and online classes
- Evidence of ability or plan to teach a variety of courses across the strategic communication curriculum, particularly with an ability to teach media planning, advertising creative strategies, and/or campaign planning.
- Ability to serve as liaison with the industry and community organizations, especially those who have industry experience and can offer connections between the teaching and practice of strategic communication and emerging technologies.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. Ability to contribute to the diversification of our faculty and foster an inclusive climate.
- Vision and ability to help develop the strategic communication major and possible certificate offerings at our university.
Applicant Materials Required:
- Cover letter: Explain how you can contribute to the department. Please include details about education, teaching, research or scholarship and professional experience including what classes you are qualified to teach, classes you have taught (instructor of record), and the level of professional experience. Information about how you would foster inclusivity is also valued.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Contact information for three references. (Letters of recommendation may be required for finalists.)
- Transcripts: An unofficial transcript for the Ph.D. degree is required with application; finalists who are invited to interview in person will be expected to provide official transcripts for their Ph.D.
- Syllabus for a strategic communication course, with preference for a topic in Media Planning or Creative Strategies.
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Other Documents (Optional):
- Quantitative teaching evaluations.
Screening will begin 3/17/25.
For questions or inquiries contact:
Dr. Justin Walden
Chair, Search Committee Department of Communication
North Dakota State University – Dept 2512 PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
NDSU OFFERS EXCELLENT BENEFITS!
Full time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
- Health Insurance coverage with 100% of the premium paid for by NDSU for Single or Family Plan
- Option of a PPO/Basic Plan or High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account
- Benefits begin the first of the month following date of hire
- Wellness benefits are included for healthy lifestyle participation
- Superb Retirement Plan
- Employer Contributions range from 7.5% – 12.26% based on position
- Basic Term Life Insurance
- Tuition Waivers for Employee (three classes per calendar year)
- Tuitions Waivers for Spouse/Partner & Dependents (eligible for 50% waiver)
- Paid Leave – including Annual leave, Sick Leave and 10 paid Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Optional benefits include: Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-term care insurance, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care) and Supplemental Retirement Plans
- More Detailed Information Here: Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU
About Us:
North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.
NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.
NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
EO/AA Statement:
NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, .
Diversity Statement:
NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that supports a community in which diverse populations and perspectives will know and learn from one another. NDSU values candidates who are committed to our core values of respect, inclusivity, community, creativity, excellence, impact, innovation, integrity, resilience, responsiveness, and transformation. Successful candidates will be committed to and help advance our strategic goal to create and maintain an open and respectful environment to promote inclusivity and diversity as a cornerstone of education, research, and outreach.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or .
