"Assistant Teaching Professor, Communication"

The Communication Studies program has 11 full-time faculty and more than 250 majors. It also provides minors in Communication Studies, Environmental Communication, and International Communication; offers courses required by other majors in the School of Communication and across NAU; is a major contributor to NAU's General Studies program; and houses NAU's Speech and Debate team and Public Speaking Lab. The School of Communication also offers a Master of Arts in Communication, including an emphasis in Communication Studies.

The Communication Studies unit within the School of Communication at Northern Arizona University (NAU) is searching for an Assistant Teaching Professor to begin August 2026. This is a teaching-focused, non-tenure eligible position. Assistant Teaching Professors typically teach four courses each semester, hold a service assignment, and are fully participating members of the faculty in the Communication Studies program in NAU's School of Communication.

Responsibilities Include: This position includes teaching undergraduate classes in Communication and Communication Studies at the undergraduate level on the Flagstaff campus as well as online and/or in-person graduate classes in Communication and Communication Studies. A specific element of this position involves teaching quantitative research methods at the graduate level, along with related undergraduate courses such as introduction to research methods and empirical research methods. All NAU Communication Studies faculty are generalists in undergraduate teaching, contributing to the offering of a variety of courses such as Communication Analysis, Communication Theory, Interpersonal Communication, Group Communication, and our Senior Seminar (capstone), as well as a range of General Studies courses and electives for the major and minor in Communication Studies. In addition to a strong background in quantitative methods, specific ability to teach a survey of Environmental Communication adds strength to candidacy. At NAU, teaching and mentoring students is a core value. We place student success at the center of our academic and service planning, policies, and programs. Therefore, a desire and passion for teaching and mentoring is a key component of this position.

Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree in Communication (Communication Studies) and ABD status (advancement to doctoral candidacy by time of application). Minimum two years full-time teaching experience at the university level (four years of part-time and/or GA teaching experience will be accepted as equivalent to two full-time years). Experience in teaching the following six undergraduate courses: Empirical Research Methods, Introduction to Research in Communication Studies, Communication Theory, Communication Analysis, Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, and Teams, Leadership & Communication (group communication). A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications: PhD in Communication (Communication Studies) conferred by date of appointment. Record of producing and disseminating quantitative research (e.g., quantitative thesis, dissertation, and/or refereed publications). Experience advising master's theses or projects. Three years of full-time experience with departmental/university service. Experience working with diverse populations such that all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences are valued. Experience and success in fostering and creating a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning and working environment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Knowledge of the needs related to public education, learning management system, instructional design, effective pedagogy, team teaching, and innovative learning methodologies, best practices in teaching and learning in traditional and hybrid classroom environments, online course development and delivery, current trends in higher education and demographic trends, strategic planning, budget development, fiscal planning, and management techniques, and effective supervisory and leadership practices. Skills in program development, effective leadership, active listening, and strong interpersonal skills. Abilities to communicate effectively, develop and maintain good working relationships, facilitate learning in multiple modalities, offer content courses to augment department curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, teach a wide variety of courses, advocate for faculty, staff, and students in the department, recruit, advise, and mentor undergraduate or graduate students, teach and work effectively with members at all levels of the University, teach in specialized areas, engage with and lead collaborative multi- and inter-disciplinary teams, work in a collaborative environment with faculty, staff, and students, demonstrated ability to teach an undergraduate survey of Environmental Communication, demonstrated ability to teach three or more of the following undergraduate courses: Interviewing, Mediation & Conflict Management, Relational Communication (advanced interpersonal), Political Communication, Nonverbal Communication, Persuasion, Social Movements, Rhetorical Criticism, ability to teach Quantitative Research Methods at the graduate level, ability and willingness to teach online and in-person graduate classes, and organize and coordinate others in developing, implementing, and evaluating short- and long-term goals, standards, curriculum, and programs.

Compensation: Budgeted salary is $60,000 for a 9-month teaching contract. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.