Assistant Professor of Communication, School of Communication & Mass Media

Job Details

PRIMARY DUTY: This position will teach courses in Communication, including an emphasis in one or more of the following areas: Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Interpersonal Communication, or Organizational Communication.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Teach 24-26 credit hours/year of communication courses during the fall and spring semesters
2. Advise students and work with student organizations
3. Participate in departmental and university governance
4. Teach one or more sections of the university’s general education hybrid communication course
5. Participate in research/scholarly activities that meet or exceed school standards
6. Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Ph.D. in Communication

Experience: Development and maintenance of a professional portfolio

Other: We are seeking energetic individuals committed to the shared vision of a multi-discipline professional school who will make a significant and ongoing contribution to our dynamic and progressive programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Typical classroom and office equipment

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED: Common classroom equipment and software

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to complete essential functions in a classroom setting

COMMUNITY: Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information, visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org.

UNIVERSITY: With an enrollment of about 9,000 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online. Founded in 1905 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions. Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data. Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree. Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster. The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program. For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled

DATE AVAILABLE: August 2026

TO APPLY: Please fill out a Northwest application online by clicking https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/nwmissouri to reach our employment opportunities listing. You will also need to submit the application materials listed below to be complete. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1127 or email ewilmes@nwmissouri.edu for more information.

APPLICATION MATERIALS: A complete application consists of: 1) a letter describing your teaching experience and suitability for the position; 2) a current curriculum vitae; 3) transcripts (copies acceptable); and 4) a list of at least three references with contact information.

INQUIRIES FOR THE POSITION CAN BE MADE TO:

Dr. Matt Walker, Chair, School of Communication and Mass Media

Phone: 660-562-1173

Email: matt@nwmissouri.edu