Assistant Professor of Communication - Public Relations

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC.

The Department of Communication at Western Carolina University is seeking a full-time, tenure-track, assistant professor of communication position with a primary focus in public relations and strategic communication. This is a nine-month position with an expected begin work date of August 2027.

Duties will include teaching three undergraduate courses in communication each semester, engaging in scholarship, advising students, advising WCU's PRSSA chapter, and engaging in departmental, institutional, and regional service. In addition to teaching courses in public relations, additional opportunities to teach professional development courses and other areas of communication depending on applicant areas of expertise and department needs are available.

Housed within the College of Arts & Sciences, the Department of Communication offers the B.S. Degree in Communication with concentrations in broadcasting, health communication, interpersonal & cultural communication, journalism, and public relations. With approximately 250 communication majors and minors, the department also offers a minor in communication, a minor in journalism, and serves approximately 2,000 freshmen and transfer students each year in the liberal studies Foundation of Communication course that is required of all students. The department has a strong interdisciplinary focus, and provides a variety of communication courses in areas such as conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, family and close relationships, television production, intercultural communication, international reporting, and crisis communication to other university colleges including programs in health sciences, social justice, building construction, international studies, environmental science, motion picture studies, special education, and emergency and disaster management.

The Department of Communication is known for its engaged teaching and learning, and the department prides itself on its students' involvement in service learning, community engagement, and undergraduate research projects. Applicants are encouraged to visit the WCU website (www.wcu.edu) and read the university's mission, vision, and core values.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

This position will support courses within the Department of Communication's major offerings. Applicants must have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in public relations. An ideal candidate will be knowledgeable in other areas such as crisis communication, as well as the impact and application of technology and digital communication on the field of communication and public relations. In addition to teaching within major's core and advanced-level courses, applicants will be required to engage in academic/student advising, mentor students, participate in student recruitment and curriculum development, and conduct scholarly activities and all other activities required for tenure.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must possess at the time of appointment a Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field with a minimum of 18 graduate hours in communication. Applicants must have prior teaching experience. Degrees must be from an accredited institution. ABD applicants will be considered with the expectation of conferral of a Ph.D. within one year of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Applicants with a Ph.D., who have previous university-level teaching experience, are proficient in public relations, who have professional experience and the ability to make connections within the public relations industry, who have a demonstrated track record of academic publishing, and who have knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods are highly desired. Research and/or teaching interest in additional communication areas such as sport, health, or social media/new technology is highly desirable.

Position Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin after October 5, 2026 and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover letter
3. Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher*
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
5. Statement of Research Philosophy
6. At least three professional references – include names, affiliations, email addresses, and telephone numbers

For questions or additional information please contact:
Dr. Scott Eldredge, Professor/Department Head, at saeldredge@wcu.edu
*All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

AA/EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35164