Associate Professor of Communication Studies/College of Liberal Arts

Title Information

Faculty TitleAssociate Professor

Job Class Code10021

FLSAExempt

Position Information

Posting NumberFRGV2055

Working TitleAssociate Professor of Communication Studies/College of Liberal Arts

Number of Vacancies1

LocationRio Grande Valley, Texas

Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position

Tenure StatusTenure Track

FTE1.0

Scope of Job

The Department of Communication at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley invites applications for a Associate Professor of Communication Studies with tenure beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year. The area of specialization is open. The successful candidate will maintain an active research agenda and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate’s area of expertise and may also contribute to graduate communication research methods and applied communication research. The candidate will contribute to curriculum development and assessment; support the department’s undergraduate and graduate programs and graduate certificates; advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; supervise master’s theses and professional projects; and provide service to the department, college, university, discipline, and community. The selected candidate will actively contribute to the programmatic and disciplinary leadership of the undergraduate BA program in Communication Studies.

About UTRGV :

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.

Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website (https://www.utrgv.edu/index.htm) .

Department/College Background

The Department of Communication is housed in the College of Liberal Arts, the largest college at UTRGV . The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with concentrations in Advertising and Public Relations, Journalism, and Media Production, and a Master of Arts in Communication. The department serves students across UTRGV’s distributed campus and is committed to excellent teaching, meaningful research and creative activity, graduate education, experiential learning, and engagement with the communities of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in Communication, Communication Studies, or a closely related field from an accredited university. Applicants must demonstrate an established program of research, a record of successful college-level teaching and service. To be appointed at the rank of associate professor in the program, candidates must meet the department and institutional requirements for tenure.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

A specialization in Communication Studies or a closely related communication field. The successful candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching and mentoring students at the undergraduate and graduate levels and the ability to contribute to the department’s Communication Studies and graduate curricula.

Preferred Qualifications

License or Certification Required?No

SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Desired Start Date09/01/2027

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date10/08/2026

Close Date11/08/2026

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Please Note

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/52558

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae

• Unofficial Transcripts

• List of 3 References

• Letter of Interest

Optional Documents

• Resume

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

• Teaching Philosophy

• Writing / Publication Sample

• Reference Letter 1

• Reference Letter 2

• Reference Letter 3

• Multi Media

• Certifications and Licenses

• Training Certificates

• Other Document

• Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness

• Unofficial Transcripts 2

• Unofficial Transcripts 3