(01/11/2021) Job Market – Drake University, USA :Assistant Professor of Public Relations/Strategic Political Communication

Des Moines, IA
Assistant Professor of Public Relations/Strategic Political Communication
School of Journalism and Mass Communication

The Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track position of assistant professor of public relations and strategic political communication, beginning in Fall 2022.  Drake’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication is accredited by ACEJMC and offers seven award-winning undergraduate majors: advertising, digital media production, public relations, strategic political communication, magazine media, multimedia journalism, and an online bachelor’s completion degree in communication. The School also has a successful online Master of Arts in Communication program with tracks in brand communication, communication leadership, and public policy and advocacy. The successful applicant will join a collegial, welcoming and supportive community of 16 full-time faculty and staff, and more than 400 undergraduate and graduate students. We are looking for an innovative colleague who can help lead our School in preparing our students for the rapidly changing media landscape. Professional public relations/political communication experience is required. Evidence of teaching effectiveness in an active, engaged classroom is preferred. Master’s degree is preferred and required for a tenure-track position. We are open to hiring an experienced professional with a bachelor’s degree for a consecutive-term appointment, on condition of completion of a master’s degree within three years. Those with at least three to five years of broad and deep experience in real-world situations relevant to the discipline in which the faculty member would be teaching are encouraged to apply. Depending on skills and interest, teaching assignments may include these undergraduate courses, both on campus and online: public relations principles; introduction to strategic political communication; PR writing, planning, research methods; organizational public affairs, and campaign strategies.  The qualified applicant will also teach online graduate classes in leadership strategies, applied theory and research, innovation and change, social responsibility, public affairs and speechwriting. Course load is three courses or nine credit hours per semester. Duties also include research and professional activity, academic and career advising for students, advising a student organization, and service to the University and community.

The Drake SJMC is a forward-thinking community of scholars with a focus on active, collaborative learning and applied scholarship. Drake University is located in Des Moines, Iowa—a vibrant city that is nationally recognized for its quality of life and a wealth of opportunities for professional, social and civic engagement. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV or resume including three references, and a diversity statement to Hiretouch, Drake’s HR portal. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2021, and continue until the position is filled. Please contact Dr. Kelly Bruhn, APR (kelly.bruhn@drake.edu), or Professor Jennifer Glover Konfrst, APR (jennifer.gloverkonfrst@drake.edu), search committee co-chairs, with questions.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is committed to developing educated professionals. Our School couples hands-on training in professional skills with a strong liberal arts education. We strive to create a community of scholars that represents the complexity of the human experience in regards to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, gender identification, religion, age and physical abilities. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all our faculty, staff, students and visitors, and celebrating our differences through the lens of the First Amendment value of freedom of expression.