Limited- Term Lecturer

Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department:

About the Department of Advertising and Public Relations

The Department of Advertising and Public Relations is a Top Five Outstanding Education Program ranked by PRWeek in 2024, 2025 and 2026. We have a dedicated team of award-winning teachers and internationally and nationally recognized scholars. As a hub for interdisciplinary research and professional development, AdPR houses the Brain, Body, and Media (BBAM) Lab, the Center for Advanced Computer-Human Ecosystems, the Center for Health and Risk Communication, the Crisis Communication Think Tank, and the SEE Suite for Social Media Engagement & Evaluation. AdPR is the proud home of Talking Dog, a student-led full-service advertising and public relations agency that fosters growth for both clients and members through next-generation perspectives. AdPR offers two undergraduate certificate programs, the Public Affairs Communications Certificate program in collaboration with the School of Public and International Affairs and the Strategic Health and Risk Communications Certificate program in collaboration with the College of Public Health. AdPR also offers diverse study abroad and field study programs in New York City, Washington D.C., Japan, and Cannes, France.

About the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication

UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. The college offers M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. degrees, and it offers undergraduate degrees in advertising, entertainment and media studies, journalism, and public relations. The college hosts student chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the American Advertising Federation (AdClub), the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Women in Media, the Online News Association, the National Press Photographers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Association for Women in Sports Media. Learn more about the Department of Advertising and Public Relations and the Grady College at www.grady.uga.edu.

About Georgia

Georgia is well known for its quality of life, and for outdoor, urban, cultural and arts activities (www.exploregeorgia.org). Athens, the home of UGA, is consistently rated as one the nation’s best college towns and is a vibrant, diverse place to live (www.visitathensga.com). The University of Georgia is a land/sea grant institution located approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, in close proximity to major media outlets, global agencies, national and international government and nonprofit organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and the world’s busiest international airport. More information about UGA is available at www.uga.edu.

Posting Type: External

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Advertised Salary: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Anticipated Start Date: 01/01/2027

Job Posting Date: 07/30/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application Deadline and Materials:
Screening of applications will begin on September 11, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following:

• a cover letter
• a curriculum vita
• the names, emails, and phone numbers of three references

Questions regarding the search should be directed to Dr. Michael Cacciatore, the search committee chair, at mcacciat@uga.edu.

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Limited Term Faculty (EX)

Faculty Rank: Lecturer

Contract Type: None (position not eligible for annual contract)

Tenure Status: Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications: Applicants should have a terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in mass communication or a related field or discipline.

Position Summary:

The Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication invites applications for a limited-term (2-year) lecturer position to begin in January 2027. This is primarily a teaching position with a 4/4 teaching load (12 credit hours per semester). Limited-term lecturers may be renewed annually for a maximum of two years. Any request for reappointment beyond the second year requires pre-approval by the Provost.

The primary responsibility for this position will be teaching core courses in public relations, such as Public Relations Communications, Crisis Communication, and Introduction to Public Relations, with the possibility of teaching other undergraduate core courses as needed. This hire will teach multiple sections of Public Relations Communications, the department’s required writing course. The course teaches students to communicate effectively across multiple platforms with an array of stakeholders and audiences at the local, national, and international levels.

Additional Requirements:

Candidates without a terminal degree will be considered but will require a terminal degree exception prior to appointment. Any applicants without a terminal degree are required to have a minimum of three to five years of recent industry experience, including writing for multiple platforms, and/or recent university teaching experience in addition to a nonterminal degree.

Information about UGA Lecturer rank and guidelines can be found here.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification:

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• A demonstrated commitment to teaching and student mentoring.
• An understanding of traditional and digital public relations writing styles, across a variety of industry and agency settings.
• An understanding of the evolving career pathways in public relations, advertising and communication.
• Competency in high-level copy editing, regarding both grammar and AP Style.
• A willingness to update their own knowledge and skills, as well as their teaching, to keep pace with industry evolutions.
• Demonstrated potential for online instruction.
• It is also preferred that the applicant has network connections in the public relations industry.

Physical Demands:

Sitting, standing, walking, talking. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? : No

Does this position require a P-Card? : No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? : No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes

Credit and P-Card policy:

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy:

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.