Asst Prof in Journalism + Communication na Ohio Wesleyan University

The Department of Journalism and Communication at Ohio Wesleyan University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in Communication beginning August 2026. We seek an outstanding teacher-scholar committed to engaging undergraduates who works in the areas of strategic communication, crisis and risk communication, health communication, and social media, with special emphasis on global perspectives.  

New faculty at OWU benefit from strong institutional support, including the opportunity to apply for start-up funding, a pre-tenure sabbatical, and extensive opportunities for student-faculty collaboration through the Summer Scholarship Research Program and our signature experience, The OWU Connection. The department is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community with wide-ranging teaching and research interests, supported by faculty development and mentoring from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation.

This position is part of a faculty cluster hire designed to expand our curriculum and strengthen our community of teacher-scholars. Faculty in this cohort will join a college deeply committed to flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity. New faculty have opportunities for mentoring, professional development, and collaboration across the Ohio Five and GLCA consortia.

Responsibilities:

• Teach three courses per semester in core Communication subjects including but not limited to Communication Theory, Public Speaking, Research Methods, and Persuasive Communication
• Integrate communication theory from the classroom with hands-on, applied learning opportunities to prepare students for careers in communication
• Integrate into teaching current tools, strategies, and trends employed by professionals across sectors such as marketing, media, health, and technology
• Contribute to the department’s commitment to elevating global perspectives and OWU’s inclusive curricular mission, and work with students of varied backgrounds both inside and outside the classroom 
  • Engage in research and scholarship related to candidate’s area of expertise
  • Engage in service and academic advising/mentorship of undergraduate students
  • Advise students’ extracurricular activities related to departmental social media and content creation
  • Enhance and expand the department’s existing media presence and digital outreach

Factors contributing to success

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Communication (or a closely related field) in hand by August 2026
• Record of scholarship in communication using social science methodologies (i.e., quantitative and/or qualitative methods)
• Evidence of academic preparation relevant to the instructional assignment, including communication theory, social science research methodologies (quantitative and/or qualitative research methods), and applied areas such as social media strategy and analytics
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, academic excellence, inclusivity, and student success in their scholarship/creative activities, teaching, and/or service
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Application Requirements

Completed application packets will include:

1. Cover letter
2. Current CV
3. Names and contact information for three professional references
4. Teaching and Student Engagement Statement: Please provide a statement that articulates your teaching philosophy. In your response, address your ability to teach a broad range of courses and to employ pedagogical approaches that support students with varied perspectives and experiences leading to their success. Describe how you connect students with opportunities, resources, and networks that expand their access to your field of study. Include examples of outreach, advising, or program activities that have supported students whose pathways into the discipline may not follow a traditional trajectory.
5. Research statement: a statement outlining the central aims of your current and future research program you would like to develop at Ohio Wesleyan.

Please submit all materials via www.owu.edu/joinOWUfaculty, where you will find additional information about working at OWU. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and additional materials are not required for the initial submission. They may be requested in later stages of the search process. 

Review of applications will begin on October 15th, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

About Ohio Wesleyan

Located in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, Ohio Wesleyan is a selective residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,600+ students from across the nation and around the world. The college’s signature program, the OWU Connection, empowers students to complete research, community service, careers, and study abroad, teaching students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book Colleges That Change Lives and was recently listed as the No. 1 liberal arts college in Ohio for social mobility by U.S. News and World Report. OWU is located in Delaware, OH, a lively college town just 30 minutes from Columbus, the 14th most populous city in the United States and part of the fastest growing, most economically vibrant areas of the Midwest. Columbus, known increasingly as the “Silicon Midwest,” was named by LinkedIn as one of the top 10 U.S. cities in which to launch your career

To achieve our mission, we continually strive to foster a campus community where every individual is respected, supported, and able to flourish. We affirm the worth of all persons and welcome people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Ohio Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity institution and seeks applications from individuals who will contribute to, and help strengthen, our commitment to academic excellence, mutual respect, and the shared pursuit of knowledge.