Posted September 27, 2025
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management
Requisition Number: 42303BR
The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor to begin September 1, 2026 (official on-duty date is mid-August 2026).
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in public relations or a closely related communication field. Applicants who are ABD must complete their degree before the official start date.
- Professional experience in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field.
- Evidence of acceptance of conference papers or peer-reviewed publications in public relations or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least three years of professional experience in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field.
- A record of successful teaching as the instructor of record for university-level courses in public relations or a closely related field in strategic communication.
- Experience teaching across a variety of modalities (face-to-face, online, hybrid).
- A record of high-quality, peer-reviewed research in public relations or a closely related field.
- A record of seeking and securing external research funding.
- Experience mentoring graduate students.
- A record of community-engaged scholarship and outreach.
Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management
The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management (PRSC; https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/programs/publicrelations/) is home to more than 440 undergraduate students, including both face-to-face and distance students, with 16 full-time faculty members. The department trains students to manage integrated communication programs, campaigns, and resources, enabling them to effectively and ethically advocate for the organizations and causes they are passionate about. It combines the diverse expertise of both professional and research faculty members to create a rigorous curriculum that develops students’ proficiency in communication, leadership, media relations, global communication, culturally proficient communication, ethics, data analysis, new technology, critical thinking, and strategic planning so that they are “client-ready.”
College of Media and Communication
The College of Media & Communication (CoMC) (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/) at Texas Tech University serves approximately 2,400 students across its six undergraduate- and five graduate-degree programs. CoMC offers a student-centered learning environment with high standards for teaching and engaged learning, while benefiting from the resources of an R1 research university. College metrics for undergraduate student retention and graduation rates are near the top at Texas Tech across many categories, and CoMC graduate-student enrollment is at record-high levels.
In addition to traditional spaces for offices, classrooms, and computer labs, the College’s 120,000-sf building includes an esports lab, student-run agency suite, a commercial-range FM radio station, 2,000 square feet for student organizations and graduate-student offices, and several multimedia production spaces equipped with industry-grade equipment and software. At 13,000 square feet within the building, the CoMC Center for Communication Research (CCR) is the country's premier academic research facility for the study of communication, cognitive and affective processing of information, and media effects. The CCR’s labs and equipment can be used for audience testing, content analysis, experimental surveys, eye-tracking, focus groups, psychophysiological measurements, and robotics/AI integration.
The College has rebuilt its research infrastructure and made strategic hires resulting in all-time highs in external funding applications and grant awards. Further strengthening the University’s stable budget environment, state taxpayers in 2023 approved a $3.9 billion research endowment, the Texas University Fund (TUF), that brings $44 million annually to Texas Tech to support faculty research and scholarly/creative activities. Interdisciplinary research strengths across the College’s departments include computational communication, sports communication/media, organizational/corporate communication, and crisis/risk/health communication. Faculty affiliates of the Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic & International Communication engage in teaching, research and community outreach related to Hispanic and international/intercultural communication (comc.ttu.edu/research/hihic).
With strong campus-wide enrollment growth and experienced academic leadership, the College continues an upward trajectory in alignment with the University’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, its $1.2 billion comprehensive campaign, and its charted path toward membership eligibility by 2035 in the Association of American Universities (AAU).
Texas Tech University
Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.
Application Process
The search committee will begin reviewing applications on Oct. 13, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Apply online at: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25898&siteid=5637#jobDetails=898255_5637
Requisition # 42303BR. Please include the following documents in your application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Teaching, Research, and Service Statements.
- A sample peer-reviewed journal publication, book chapter, or conference paper.
- Other documents directly related to the required qualifications.
Candidates who are invited for Zoom interviews will be asked for the names of three references. References will not be contacted without notifying the candidate.
Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Ioana Coman, Search Committee Chair at Ioana.Coman@ttu.edu. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at hrs.recruiting@ttu.edu or 806-742-3851.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.