Associate Professor

Job Summary

The Department of Communication Studies and Storytelling at East Tennessee State University seeks an Associate Professor of Communication Studies. This position carries full-time, tenure-track status beginning August 15, 2027, as an academic year appointment pending continued availability of funds. 

We seek a colleague with a demonstrated emphasis in Organizational Communication, and a record of teaching, service, and research appropriate for the rank of Associate Professor. We are especially interested in candidates who have a secondary interest in one or more of the following areas: Crisis and Risk Communication, Social Media & Digital Communication, Applied Communication, or Political Communication. We are open to candidates who use any Communication Studies research methodology. Our new colleague must demonstrate respect and value for the use of narrative and storytelling in teaching and scholarship, although their research may or may not incorporate narrative.  

• Teaching (60%)—The expected teaching load is a 3/3. This faculty member will primarily teach in our undergraduate Communication Studies major and minor programs but may have opportunities to teach graduate courses for our Graduate Certificate in Storytelling. They will be expected to teach existing undergraduate courses in Organizational Communication, Business and Professional Communication, and Communicating in Groups. The successful candidate will also have the ability to teach one or more of the following undergraduate courses currently in our catalog: Communication Theory, Professional Communication & Technology, Advanced Public Speaking, Speaking for Social Change, and/or Communication Ethics. We are especially interested in candidates who are willing to develop new courses in Organizational Communication and at least one of the following areas: Crisis and Risk Communication, Social Media and Digital Communication, Applied Communication, and/or Political Communication. Our new colleague will serve on undergraduate honors thesis committees and hold regular office hours for students. Teaching formats may include in-person, hybrid, and online teaching. Summer and winter teaching opportunities are optional and available depending on need. The successful candidate must demonstrate a record of teaching in breadth and quality that is commensurate with the rank of Associate Professor. We are especially interested in candidates interested or experienced in community-engaged learning. 
• Service (20%)—Applicants should make clear their ability to step into service obligations expected of an Associate Professor. Service duties will include coordinating our undergraduate internship program and potentially growing and supporting our undergraduate Communication Studies Association and/or coordinating the teaching of one of our oral communication general education courses. All faculty advise undergraduate students on their program of study. We are particularly interested in candidates who have strong organizational skills, demonstrated ability to work in collegial and collaborative environments, and experience in community-engaged work. In addition to the duties described above, tenure-track faculty members contribute professional service to the college, university, discipline, and/or community. 
• Research & Creative Activity (20%)—Tenure-track faculty contribute to the mission of the Department of Communication Studies & Storytelling through a program of research and/or creative activity that leads to publication, peer-reviewed performances, and/or competitively selected performances. Applicants must show how their existing record of scholarship is consistent with the university’s expectations for the rank of Associate Professor.

The Department of Communication Studies & Storytelling serves just over 90 majors and minors at the undergraduate level, as well as hundreds of students enrolled in general education courses in oral communication. The award-winning ETSU Speech & Debate Team and the Storyteller Collective are also housed within the department. The department currently has 12 full-time faculty members with areas of expertise across communication and storytelling fields. 

Required Qualifications 

• Candidates must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in communication studies or other related field. 
• Emphasis in Organizational Communication
• A record of teaching breadth and quality appropriate to the rank of Associate Professor.
• A record of peer-reviewed publication or performance and/or grant-funded research appropriate for the rank of Associate Professor. 
• A record of service to academic departments, college, university, discipline, and/or community commensurate with the rank of Associate Professor. 
• Secondary specialization or interest in one or more of the following: 
  • Crisis and risk communication
  • Social Media and Digital Communication
  • Applied Communication
  • Political Communication 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Interest or experience in directing a Communication Studies internship program 
• Interest or experience in community-engaged work and/or teaching

Compensation & Benefits 

• Salary - $67,000 
• For information on benefits please visit www.etsu.edu/human-resources/benefits/. 

Application Instructions 

• Exempt positions are only required to be posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. The closing date for this posting is subject to change without notice to applicants. Applicant review will begin on October 5, 2026 and we will be accepting applications until October 15, 2026. 
• Please include the following items in your application: 
  • Curriculum vitae 
  • Minimum 3 professional references on your CV who will submit letters of recommendation by October 15th 
  • Cover letter that specifically addresses the job summary and the required and preferred qualifications listed in this posting 
  • Evidence of teaching excellence and demonstration of breadth of teaching experience (e.g., type of course, level of instruction, and frequency)
  • 1–2-page research and/or creative activity agenda and 1-2 page document that speaks to the quality of the applicant’s scholarship as appropriate for Associate Professor status;  
  • 1-2 page document describing the applicant’s history and quality of service at previous institutions;
  • Transcripts must be submitted to be considered for review; unofficial transcripts or a copy of the transcript is acceptable for application purposes. Official transcripts may be required upon hire. ABD candidates should provide documentation in the application materials that the Ph.D. degree will be conferred prior to August 15, 2027.

ETSU is an equal opportunity employer.

University Overview

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an institution with over 14,000 diverse students highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, ETSU serves as a hub for community, discovery, and service. Aligned with the institution's mission, we value efforts to engage in teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and service that involve community partners and address significant societal needs in our region and beyond. Recognized in 2024 as a Great College to Work For, recent strategic initiatives prioritize the institution’s focus on community engagement.

Disclaimer: The Job Summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work individuals perform in this classification. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require different tasks to be performed as assigned to reflect changes in the position. Employees must be able to perform the position's essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.