Open-Rank Tenured/Tenure-Track Professor and Director of Fundamentals of Communication

About the role

The Department of Communication at Mason seeks an Open-Rank Tenured/Tenure-Track Professor to serve as the Director of Fundamentals of Communication. This position begins in the Fall semester of 2026.

Responsibilities

• Teach and conduct relevant communication research
• Serve as the Director of Fundamentals of Communication, overseeing COMM 101
• Advocate for COMM 101 on University-level General Education committees
• Operational management of COMM 101, including enrollment planning, grade compilation, and instructor scheduling
• Manage online learning platforms and personnel for COMM 101
• Support adjuncts, graduate teaching assistants, and faculty
• Coordinate instructor observation schedule and assess COMM 101
• Conduct research and publish in areas of expertise
• Write and submit grant proposals as appropriate
• Contribute service to the department, college, and university

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Communication or a related field, completed by the start of the contract date
• Experience in teaching the “Basic Course” or related courses in Communication
• Experience in training and development (including the development and instruction of online courses)
• Experience in conducting assessments
• Ability to teach graduate and undergraduate courses based on applicant expertise and department needs
• An active research program that may include but is not limited to the scholarship of communication pedagogy
• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Communication or a related field
• Excellent teaching and advising experience
• Commitment to collegiality and collaboration
• (ABD candidates will be considered, but must have a completed doctoral degree for appointment as a tenure-track Assistant Professor)