POSITION TRACKING NUMBER:  F006

SCHOOL/COLLEGE:  College of the Arts

DEPARTMENT: Communication Studies

LOCATION:  Azusa Campus, Orange County Regional Campus

ABOUT APU:

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive, evangelical, Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. As a leading Christian university in California, Azusa Pacific University grounds rigorous academics on a solid spiritual foundation. With an intentional focus on scholarship, faith integration, diversity, and internationalization, APU provides high-quality academic programs within a tight-knit community of disciples and scholars. APU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 Doctoral University, recognizing APU’s high level of research activity. A leader in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, APU is committed to excellence in higher education. Offering more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs on campus, online, and at seven regional locations across Southern California, APU continues to be recognized annually as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.

The College of the Arts (COTA) consists of 34 academic programs within eight academic departments: communication studies, theatre, design, art, and cinematic arts, music performance, music studies, and commercial music. It is home to 1,000 graduate and undergraduate students, excluding minors, and supports in-person, low residential, and online degree programs on the Azusa Campus and at regional campuses in Orange County, Murrieta, and the Inland Empire.  

DESCRIPTION: 

The Azusa Pacific University College of the Arts, Department of Communication Studies invites applications for a full-time faculty position serving as the Director of the MA in Strategic Communication. The primary responsibilities include management and administration of the graduate online degree, teaching graduate courses in his/her area of specialization, and possibly teaching undergraduate courses across the public relations, communication studies, and journalism programs.

The Department of Communication Studies houses three undergraduate majors - public relations, journalism, and communication management - one graduate program in strategic communication, and one regional center-based degree completion program in digital media. It is home to 10 full-time faculty, nearly 18 part-time/adjunct faculty, and approximately 190 major and minor students. The department engages a nationally competitive forensics team, a national honors society (Lambda Pi Eta), the APU PRSSA chapter, and a student-run PR agency. As part of the journalism program, the department supports a convergent/integrated media environment. “ZuMedia” includes a digital and traditional student newspaper, digital and traditional magazine, a broadcast/online studio, and a podcast/radio station.  

SPECIALIZATION: Strategic Communication and/or Public Relations

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

This full-time faculty member will serve as program director of the online MA in Strategic Communication degree. Ideally the program director is in residence but based on the circumstance of the candidate and the needs of the program there may be consideration of remote work. The program director will ensure academic excellence, coordinate the curriculum and faculty assignments of the program, promote partnerships that support student learning and enrollment growth, and oversee graduate student academic advising. In addition, this faculty member will teach graduate courses in the degree and may teach undergraduate courses across the department with consideration given to specialization.    

In particular, the graduate program director will:

• Advance the APU mission, vision, and strategic plan.
• Work with the department, College of the Arts, and University Graduate and Professional Center to recruit and retain excellent graduate students.
• Ensure instruction is conducted with academic integrity and rigor through a robust program of assessment.
• Ensure program compliance with accreditation standards.
• Potentially supervise assigned support staff.
• Participate in faculty recruitment and evaluation.
• Collaborate with key campus and industry partners.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with communication industry corporations and professional organizations.
• Coordinate graduate class scheduling with the College of the Arts Graduate Studies Office and the Graduate and Professional Center. 
• Coordinate full-time and adjunct faculty teaching assignments in the graduate program.
• Manage the budget of the graduate program.
• Support student success and retention by working with other team members, faculty and advisors, while maintaining confidentiality of vital information.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chair and/or Dean.
• May be needed to work at alternative regional campuses.

Other duties include advising students, participating on committee assignments at the department, college and university levels, carrying out a program of scholarly research, and participating in all faculty meetings. Commitment to the university’s faith statement is required of all candidates.

LEVEL: Associate or Full Professor

QUALIFICATIONS:  

Ph.D in Communication (or related field), experience developing or leading a graduate program, and a commitment to teaching excellence, scholarship, and service.

EXPERIENCE:  

Prior experience teaching at the collegiate or university level required, experience teaching at the graduate level preferred. 

WORKLOAD:  Full-time faculty position.

HIRE DATE: Applications will be reviewed starting November 1, 2021. The start date for the position is Fall 2022.  

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to integrate Christian values in all aspects.
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Ability to collaborate with other faculty and staff and maintain collegial relations.
• Self starter, ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

Candidates must align with Azusa Pacific University's Christian identity. Faculty members are expected to sign a Statement of Faith (available at http://www.apu.edu/about/believe), to adhere to the policies outlined in the Faculty Handbook, and to integrate the Christian faith in teaching and scholarship.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation.

Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Azusa Pacific University conducts background checks on all final candidates.

Required Skills Required Experience

• Organization and time management