Assistant Professor in Public Relations

Target Start Date: August 17, 2027

Application Deadline: October 31st, 2026 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

Position Description: The School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Public Relations beginning in August 2027. We seek a colleague with practical and scholarly expertise in public relations and strategic communication, including areas such as public relations writing, media relations, digital and social media, research and analytics, crisis communication, campaign planning, emerging technologies, or related fields. The successful candidate will teach in both our on-campus and growing SJSU Online Public Relations degree programs, with courses potentially including Principles of Public Relations, Public Relations Writing, Social Media Strategies, Public Relations Research, Strategic Communication Planning, and Campaigns. The School of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC) offers leading programs in advertising, public relations, journalism, and mass communications—all rooted in Silicon Valley’s culture of innovation. As an Adobe Creative Campus, and with a new VR and Emerging Technologies Lab in development, JMC provides students and faculty with opportunities to explore possibilities in media, AI, and immersive storytelling. Our award-winning student media and the student-run DBH Agency highlight our hands-on, collaborative approach, while faculty actively lead research and practice in emerging technologies The School of Journalism and Mass Communications and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve. We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines. We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Required Qualifications: Masters degree (MFA, MA, MS) in Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Mass Communication, Communication, or a closely related discipline by the start of the appointment. Candidates who are ABD may be considered, provided the degree is completed by the start of the appointment. Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications: PhD in Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Mass Communication, Communication, or a closely related discipline by the start of the appointment. Candidates who are ABD may be considered, provided the doctoral degree is completed by the start of the appointment. Experience teaching public relations courses in online (synchronous/asynchronous), hybrid, and in-person formats. Ability to teach core public relations courses, particularly public relations writing, crisis, research methods, digital and social media, strategic planning, and campaigns. Professional experience in agency, corporate, nonprofit, government, or community based public relations. A developed or developing research or creative agenda in public relations, strategic communication, digital media, artificial intelligence, or emerging communication technologies. Experience integrating artificial intelligence, social listening, media monitoring, digital analytics, multimedia production, or data visualization into public relations teaching, research, or professional practice. Experience with client-based projects, experiential learning, community-engaged learning, or other innovative teaching approaches. Evidence of scholarly, teaching, or professional achievement, including publications, grants, awards, accreditation, or industry recognition. Experience mentoring and advising students from varied educational, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Engagement with professional or scholarly organizations such as PRSA, PRSSA, AEJMC, ICA, or NCA. Breadth of experience that supports curriculum development, internship programs, student-run agencies, or partnerships with professional and community organizations.

Key Responsibilities: Teach undergraduate courses in Public Relations in both the on-campus and SJSU Online degree programs. Teach core and elective courses in areas such as public relations writing, research, media relations, digital and social media, strategic planning, crisis communication, and campaigns. Develop and maintain an active program of research, scholarship, or creative activity that contributes to the field of public relations or strategic communication. Design and deliver inclusive, engaging, and applied learning experiences appropriate to in-person and online instructional environments. Advise and mentor students regarding academic progress, internships, professional development, and career preparation. Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and ongoing program improvement. Cultivate relationships with public relations professionals, community partners, and professional organizations to support experiential learning and student opportunities. The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments. Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity—in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation—through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement. Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution. Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue. Conditional Offer The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position. San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University Located in the heart of Silicon Valley - one of the most innovative regions in the world - San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally. Equal Employment Statement San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu. Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu. Pursuant to California Education Code 89521, applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.