Assistant Professor of Practice, Communication

Job description summary: The School of Communication (https://www.uakron.edu/schlcomm/) at The University of Akron, the Official University of the Cleveland Browns, invites applications for a non-tenure-track Assistant Professor of Practice position starting in August 2026. We would like to add to the range of education offered to our students with the inclusion of sport communication. Departmental summary: Located in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Communication has 14 full-time faculty members and approximately 460 undergraduate majors, 35 graduate students, and other students pursuing minors or certificates in Communication. The school offers B.A. programs in Communication Studies, Media Studies, Public Relations, and Organizational Supervision. The school also offers a 100% online M.A. degree in Strategic Communication with cognate areas in Health Communication, Crisis Communication, and Social Media as well as graduate certificates. The School is also planning to add Sport Communication to the undergraduate and graduate offerings. The candidate: Demonstrates quality of teaching, quality of research and scholarly activity, quality of professional, University, and community service, and professional conduct. Must have experience and credentials as outlined in academic unit guidelines for Assistant Professor, Practice. The Faculty of Practice is a full-time non-tenure track (NTT) faculty member with practical experience in industry, business, medicine, government, law, and/or other professional fields. The primary purpose of such a position is to share real-world knowledge with students in a classroom or experiential setting in support of degree, certificate, and/or licensure programs. Education/Experience Requirements and Responsibilities: The successful candidate must possess a master's degree by the start date in Communication, Media Studies, Journalism, or a closely related discipline. They must have teaching experience, the ability to teach undergraduate courses, an interest in experiential learning, and a commitment to online and in-person course development and delivery. Preferred Qualifications: Ph.D. in Communication with a research agenda that includes sport communication, and an ability to teach Sport Communication at the graduate level. Additional Position Information: Application Instructions: In order to be considered for this position, please attach the following documents - CV, cover letter, transcripts, teaching statement, evidence of effective teaching, and references. Application Deadline: January 6th, 2026. Compensation: The compensation for this position is commensurate with experience and qualifications. FLSA Status (exempt/nonexempt): United States of America (Exempt) Union Affiliation (if applicable): American Association of University Professors For assistance with your application or attachments, please contact the Human Resources representative listed: Iron Bones Email: ibones@uakron.edu ________________________________________________________________________ Background Check Statement The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus. As such, all offers of employment with The University of Akron are contingent upon verification of credentials, and satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional credit investigation and a pre-employment driving record search. Non-Discrimination Statement The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. State of Residence Statement It is the expectation of the University of Akron that all work performed as an employee of the University will be performed in Ohio. The University of Akron empowers our people to flourish by delivering an applied and community-connected educational experience and cultivating research excellence. Leveraging our passion and expertise, we create innovative academic opportunities, support the well-being of our students and employees, and prioritize community embeddedness and engagement to impact lives through transformative experience. Through this focus, UA aspires to be the leader in community-focused higher education. The University of Akron is a lifelong learning partner, recognizing and valuing diverse learning experiences and combining traditional classroom experiences with innovative and robust approaches. As Zips, we prioritize the well-being of our students and employees, cultivate a culture and community where all can flourish, and act as responsible stewards of our resources and infrastructure by leveraging data to differentiate our processes and systems. We leverage our urban campus as a responsive and reliable partner to identify and meet the needs of the region. We intentionally contribute to economic and workforce development and civic life through research, innovation and engagement to provide community-embedded experiential learning opportunities that will enhance the UA experience for all students. We welcome candidates who are passionate about shaping and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, experts, artists and leaders. For more information about The University of Akron or the Akron community please visit our About UA page. The University of Akron offers a competitive total compensation package comprised of a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, and paid leave of absences including time off for illness, vacation, and maternity or paternity leave. In addition, eligible employees and their dependents are provided tuition remission. All staff and eligible non-bargaining unit faculty have the option to request a Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA). The University of Akron participates in state retirement systems and offers alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions. Optional investment opportunities are available including deferred compensation programs (403(b) and 457(b)). Please visit our benefits home page for more information.