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Title Information

Faculty TitleAssistant Professor

Job Class Code10031

FLSAExempt

Position Information

Posting NumberFRGV1879

Working TitleAssistant/Associate Professor in Communication (Instructional Communication OR New/Social Media) / College of Liberal Arts

Number of VacanciesVaries

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 ( UTRGV ) invites applications for an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor with Tenure to begin Fall 2026. The Department of Communication is in the College of Liberal Arts, the largest college at UTRGV , and offers degrees in Communication Studies and Mass Communication with tracks in Advertising & Public Relations, Broadcast and Journalism.

The department seeks applicants with an area of specialization in instructional communication OR new/social media.

INSTRUCTIONAL COMMUNICATION :The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong record of research and leadership regarding the role of communication in learning environments. They will be expected to contribute to curriculum development, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate and graduate student pedagogy.

NEW / SOCIAL MEDIA :The ideal candidate will possess substantial research experience in social media content creation and the application of AI technologies. They will be expected to teach and mentor students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, fostering an environment of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity. The candidate will develop courses in candidate’s area of specialization in social media and AI technologies along with teaching courses in the advertising/pr track. These courses may include (but are not limited to): Visual Communication, Creative and Media Strategies, Communication Campaigns, Media Planning and Copywriting and Art Direction, as well as courses in the candidate’s area of specialization.

Successful candidates must demonstrate a robust research agenda that advances the understanding of their specialty, and be capable of inspiring and guiding students in their own research endeavors. Responsibilities will include supervising master’s theses, non-thesis projects and undergraduate honors thesis.

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) .

Minimum Qualifications

-Assistant Professor: 1) Ph.D. in Communication Studies or Mass Communication or related field from an accredited university. ABD will be considered but must have earned doctorate degree conferred by August 31, 2026. 2) Demonstrated research and publication record for tenure appointment. Demonstrable potential for a strong research and publication record for tenure-track appointment. 3) Demonstrated teaching excellence for tenure appointment. Demonstrable potential for teaching excellence for tenure-track appointment. 4) Willingness to learn UTRGV’s online platform (Brightspace) and to occasionally teach online.

To be eligible for the rank of Associate Professor in the program candidates must be currently tenured at their current institution, and meet the department and institutional requirements for tenure.

-Associate Professor: Beyond the above requirements, requirements include a demonstrated ability to independently conduct programmatic research activities that meet the departmental and institutional requirements for the rank of Associate Professor; and high degree of teaching proficiency and commitment to professional service.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

For Instructional position:Ph.D. in Communication Studies or related field from an accredited university.

For New/Social Media position:Ph.D. in Mass Communication or related field from an accredited university

Preferred Qualifications

For Instructional position:Experience and/or interest in basic course direction/supervision of graduate students as speech coaches, teaching assistants, and stand-alone instructors.

For New/Social Media position:Experience in teaching Adobe Creative Suite programs such as Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Audition, as well as content management systems like WordPress and other creative content development software, expertise in digital communication strategies and analytics, including social media analytics, proficiency in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in communication contexts, and/or a strong background in quantitative research methodologies, particularly structural equation modeling and AMOS .

License or Certification Required?No

SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Desired Start Date09/01/2026

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 Date10/13/2025

Close Date01/15/2026

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/48837

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