Department: Elliott School of Communication

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: $70,000 - $75,000

Work Schedule: Schedule may vary depending on course offerings; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University seeks a full-time, 9-month, tenure-eligible assistant professor in the Integrated Marketing Communications area, the largest concentration in the school. We are looking for collegial candidates with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service for an appointment beginning August 2, 2027, with a salary range of $70,000 to $75,000 (maximum). Specifically, we seek scholars who bring special expertise in Integrated Marketing Communications (Public Relations and Advertising). The successful candidate will have opportunities to teach in both the graduate and undergraduate program depending on needs of the school, including courses in a new professionally oriented graduate degree in communication that complements our traditional MA academic track. IMC courses may include media analytics, strategy, social media, account management, measurement and evaluation techniques, and skills classes. Graduate courses may include quantitative research methods, communication theory, and IMC graduate seminars. Candidates will be expected to develop a productive research program and provide service to the university and the profession.

Wichita State University is located in the heart of the largest media market in the state. We are committed to applied learning, which is supported by the broad network of alumni and other supporters working in the metro area. The Elliott School of Communication includes 10 full-time faculty, 12 GTAs, and two administrative staff. We are an integrated communication program, offering a common core of classes before students choose from three emphasis areas: integrated marketing communication, journalism and media production, and comm studies. Additionally, the ESC includes The Research Partnership, a full-service marketing research agency that contracts for a wide range of services including focus groups, phone, mail and online surveys, one-on-one interviews, and mystery shops for local and national government agencies, nonprofits, and large and small businesses. ESC faculty are encouraged to take advantage of our research facilities and participate, as desired, in our ongoing projects.

Tenure track faculty members typically teach 6 courses per academic year. Tenure track faculty are expected to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online) and to incorporate applied learning into the course design, whenever possible. The successful candidate will establish and maintain a sustainable research program in the communication disciple that results in peer-reviewed scholarly publications. Tenure track faculty are expected to contribute service to the department, college, university, and the profession. The workload for this position is 60% teaching, 30% research, and 10% service.

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiatives, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Teaching: Develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in IMC. This includes designing curriculum and instructional materials, delivering high-quality instruction in various modalities (in-person, online, or hybrid), and assessing student learning. The faculty member will mentor and advise students, including supervising research projects or theses as appropriate, and incorporate applied learning opportunities (e.g. projects with industry or community partners) into the coursework whenever possible.

Research/Scholarly Activity: Establish and maintain an active research program in communication. This includes publishing peer-reviewed scholarly work and disseminating results in academic venues. Excellence in scholarship should be demonstrated by a record of research accomplishments that follow the departmental tenure and promotion guidelines.

Service: Participate in service activities within the department, college, and university, as well as in professional organizations. Service duties include committee work, curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment, and community outreach. The faculty member will contribute to the governance and strategic initiatives of the department and may also engage in service to the broader profession (e.g. reviewing for journals, involvement in academic societies).

Required Education and Experience:

• Terminal degree in direct field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• PhD in Communication must completed prior to August 2027.
• Teaching experience at the collegiate level.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
• Demonstrated potential to establish an independent and productive research program.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to work collaboratively and collegially with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A record of scholarly productivity appropriate to career stage.
• Experience teaching qualitative methods and/or media analytics.

Additional Information:

Please complete the Faculty Profile including the names and contact information of three (3) references and upload the following documents:

1. Cover letter of interest
2. Curriculum Vitae

Review of candidates will begin on November 2, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

If you have questions, please contact search chair and ESC director Dr. Lisa Parcell at lisa.parcell@wichita.edu.

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%