Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural Communication

The School of Communication and Journalism (COJO) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural Communications to begin no later than August 2024. We seek a dynamic teacher-scholar who will enhance our culture of excellence through collegiality, innovation, and collaboration, with the ability to provide engaging instruction to students across our academic programs. This is a new position designed to support our growing academic program in Agricultural Education, Communication & Leadership – Communication Specialization. Undergraduate teaching responsibilities may include but are not limited to intro to agricultural communication, advertising principles, public relations principles, public relations writing, and basic media writing. This position will also support our online Masters of Mass Communication program by teaching online graduate courses. This faculty position would also have the opportunity to develop new courses specific to agricultural communication. The successful candidate will contribute to curriculum development, foster and further develop local, regional, and national industry relationships, assist with programmatic assessment, advise student clubs or organizations, and contribute to COJO’s research portfolio through active research and scholarship focused on agricultural communication or the candidate’s area of interest. This is a nine-month, full-time, on-campus, benefit-eligible position and reports to the School of Communication and Journalism Director. South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to this land-grant mission of access. RESPONSIBILITIES:Teach on-campus undergraduate courses (i.e., intro to agricultural communication, advertising principles, public relations principles, public relations writing, basic media writing, and other courses related to the candidate’s specialization) and online graduate courses (i.e., cross-platform storytelling, social media strategies, and other courses related to candidate’s specialization). Maintain an active research and scholarship program by disseminating peer-reviewed scholarship and/or creative activity.Provide discipline-related service to the School, College, and University as well as local, regional, and national-level service, given the land grant mission of SDSU.Foster and further develop local, regional, and national industry relationships.Mentor and advise graduate and undergraduate students completing independent research projects (e.g., theses, student organizations such as the Public Relations Student Society of America or Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow).MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Doctorate in Agricultural Communication, Strategic Communication, Public Relations, or closely related field completed by the first day of employment. Potential for success in teaching at a college or university. Potential for a promising program of research and scholarly activity. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and across differences. Excellent written communication skills.Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to excel in undergraduate and graduate teaching at a college or university. Ability or experience with undergraduate or graduate student advising or mentorship.Potential for and interest in grant-funded research.Discipline-related professional or industry experience.Knowledge of the application of domestic and global diversity concepts germane to agricultural and/or strategic communication.  Ability to contribute to our public relations program through teaching and service. BENEFITS:South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.APPLICATION PROCESS:South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site.  To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted.  Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.   Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.    South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.