Lecturer or Assistant Teaching Professor, public relations and business communication

The Department of Communication Studies ( https://communication.charlotte.edu/)has 27 full-time faculty with areas of emphasis in public relations, organizational communication, health communication, media and technology studies, and rhetoric, culture, and social change. The department serves approximately 850 majors and minors and 25 master's students. The department's primary mission is to provide high-quality instruction to its undergraduate and graduate students, and to contribute significantly to the understanding of communication issues as they affect people's lives, especially in the Charlotte metropolitan region. Through teaching, scholarship and service the department is committed to serving UNC Charlotte students of all backgrounds.

The Department of Communication Studies is located within the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences houses 15 departments, 18 interdisciplinary programs, and 6 applied centers. We offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs with extensive honors and early-entry options. The College plays a pivotal role in delivering on the university's goals in the areas of research excellence, student success and experience, and community engagement. Through their scholarship and teaching, the College's 350+ faculty members seek to deepen our understanding of complex problems and lead the university in interdisciplinary collaboration.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte ( https://www.charlotte.edu/) is the second largest institution within the University of North Carolina system. This past Fall, UNC Charlotte enrolled 31,091 students and experienced record growth with its incoming first-year and graduate programs. UNC Charlotte is also the fastest growing institution in the UNC System, comprising seven academic colleges offering 171 undergraduate majors in 77 programs leading to Bachelor's Degrees, 65 Master's Degrees, and 24 Doctoral degrees. UNC Charlotte is proud to have 3,545 passionate and committed faculty and staff members and more than 120,000 living alumni.

The Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for a Lecturer or Assistant Teaching Professor in public relations and business communication beginning August 11, 2025. Required qualifications include a master's degree (for Lecturer rank) or terminal degree (for Assistant Teaching Professor rank) in public relations, business communication, or related areas of communication. Preferred criteria include: education in public relations and/or business communication; at least three years of experience in public relations or business communication (including teaching and/or professional experience); evidence of successful teaching in public relations and/or business communication; evidence of effectiveness in online teaching; evidence of professional engagement (including but not limited to involvement in one or more relevant professional associations); and knowledge of AP style. Candidates who can teach a course in digital design may mention this in their application.

The department seeks a committed teacher who can situate themselves within the university's Strategic Plan ( https://strategicplan.charlotte.edu/full-plan-and-glossary), which has a particular focus on engaging a student body that includes many first generation, transfer, military, veteran, working, and non-traditional students. Finalists will be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage, include, and eliminate barriers to learning for UNC Charlotte students, and how their educational approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their entry pathway into the university.

Successful candidates will teach undergraduate courses in public relations and business communication. Public relations courses may be taught in both in-person and/or online formats. Business communication courses will be taught predominantly online (in asynchronous or synchronous formats). Public relations courses may include Principles of Public Relations, Public Relations Writing, Public Relations Ethics, Communication Campaigns, and topics courses in public relations within the Department of Communication Studies. The Business Communication course is offered within the curriculum of the Belk College of Business. Successful candidates will teach four classes in the fall semester and four classes in the spring semester. The successful candidate will also serve on faculty committees.

Preferred criteria include: education in public relations and/or business communication; at least three years of experience in public relations or business communication (including teaching and/or professional experience); evidence of successful teaching in public relations and/or business communication; evidence of effectiveness in online teaching; evidence of professional engagement (including but not limited to involvement in one or more relevant professional associations); and knowledge of AP style. Candidates who can teach a course in digital design may mention this in their application.

The review of applications will begin December 16, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants must apply electronically at https://jobs.charlotte.edu/, position #5303. Please upload a cover letter responding to the qualifications listed above, a current CV, a teaching philosophy, and contact information for three references. Contact Dr. Dan Grano (dgrano@charlotte.edu), chair of the Department of Communication Studies with questions.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte maintains an Affirmative Action Plan prepared in accordance with Executive Order 11246 and the Consent Decree.

The candidate chosen for this position will be subject to a criminal background check and will be asked to provide official transcripts of their highest earned degree.