What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor of Media Studies position at Utah Tech University?
Position Announcement
The Department of Communication at Utah Tech University (UT) in St. George, Utah, is seeking an enthusiastic and well-qualified individual for the position of Assistant Professor of Digital Media, with an emphasis in public relations and digital storytelling. The position requires a 4/4 teaching load, with instruction in the areas of public relations, social media, contemporary multimedia storytelling, cross-platform content creation and other courses as needed. The successful candidate will contribute to the Digital Media program while bringing depth in cross-platform strategic digital communication and content creation. The selected candidate will join a healthy and growing Communication Department. UT’s polytechnic mission emphasizes a human-centered approach to problem-solving. As such, UT is particularly welcoming to active learning modalities in our coursework. Similarly, we encourage and value faculty scholarship that involves student researchers, as well as scholarship that informs the faculty member’s teaching. More information about the department and its programs can be found online at https://communication.utahtech.edu/.
Responsibilities
- Teach up to 24 credits annually with an emphasis on public relations and digital media storytelling plus the equivalent of 3 credit hours or more of institutional service as defined by the department and school. Course topics include public relations, strategic communication, cross-platform storytelling, digital content creation, and using media strategically to inform, persuade, and build relationships.
- Assist in the continuing growth of communication programs, with the ability and willingness to adapt courses to effectively utilize existing and developing instructional technology.
- Willing to become certified in online instruction and teach one or more courses online. Special preference will be given to candidates with experience in online teaching.
- Perform defined campus-wide faculty duties, including holding office hours, attendance at department and division meetings, and service on committees, with adherence to department, college, and university policies and procedures.
- Engage in scholarship and/or creative activity appropriate to a teaching university. UT values both scholarship of discovery and scholarship of pedagogy within the context of our teaching mission.
- Assist in mentoring, supervising, and assisting part-time instructors (adjunct faculty).
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Doctorate degree in Digital Media, Public Relations, or related field or MFA plus 10 years of experience will also be considered. ABD will be considered if completion of degree will occur by July 1, 2027.
- Experience teaching and/or designing courses in digital media. Preference for candidates with expertise in digital media, digital communication, strategic digital media creation and management, public relations, digital storytelling, social media or related areas particularly as these areas intersect with contemporary public relations and strategic communication. Professional experience in public relations, digital media, social media, content strategy, or related fields is also preferred.
- Evidence of successful, student-centered teaching and with proficiency in instructional technology (finalists will complete a teaching demonstration to showcase competence).
- Ability to develop innovative curriculum and appropriate course content for face-to-face and online instruction.
- Eagerness and ability to engage with colleagues, staff and administrators to develop ways to improve the educational experience of Utah Tech students, both within communication and interdisciplinarily.
- Commitment to academic excellence, including utilizing computer-related technologies to enhance education methodology, and proficiency in curriculum design, program development, program evaluation, instruction, student guidance, and academic mentoring.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
- While teaching is the priority at UT, all tenure-track faculty at UT are expected to maintain a scholarly or creative agenda. We recognize and encourage diverse scholarly and creative pursuits. Faculty are free to pursue research, applied projects, or creative scholarship in the areas that inspire them, without being bound to a single methodological or topical focus.
Supplemental Information
POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time (9-month) tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service, with pay and benefits starting July 1, 2027. Annual salary of $58,000 with additional compensation available for optional summer/overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins November 9, 2026; position open until filled. Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references (including email addresses), transcripts, and a Student Success Statement (1-2 pages about the candidate’s teaching or other professional experience working with a wide range of student academic preparedness). Please upload all the requested documents when you submit your application. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and certification of required degrees and upon successfully passing a background check.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Utah Tech University is an open, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life." and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our University is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The area is renowned for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities.
Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 13,000 students. We offer over 250 programs, including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied, and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered, who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the University’s mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, comprehensive, polytechnic university.
Utah Tech employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must provide employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Utah Tech is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at hr@utahtech.edu or 435-652-7500.
Utah Tech University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services. For more information or contact information, please visit https://titleix.utahtech.edu/reporting-discrimination/.
For important information regarding academics, campus safety, student services, employment laws, and other regulatory requirements, visit Utah Tech University’s Right-to-Know https://utahtech.edu/right-to-know/ and Clery Act https://police.utahtech.edu/clery-act websites.
Salary : $58,000