Open Rank Professor of Media Communications

Open Rank Professor of Media Communications

POSITION NUMBER: 1.2.10.1 Date: 10/13/26

Position Title: Open Rank Professor of Media Communications

Department: Media Communication Division: Arts & Humanities Number of hours per week for which this position is budgeted: 40

Number of months per year for which this position is budgeted: 12

Reports to: Vice President of Academic Administration

FSLA Requirement: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Open Rank Professor of Communications is a full-time faculty member responsible for teaching and advising students in both the Media Communication major and Public Relations major at Hannibal-LaGrange University. The Communication Studies program at Hannibal-LaGrange has a long history of producing award-winning storytellers in both national and state-wide competitions. Hannibal-LaGrange students have consistently placed in the Baptist Communicators Association competition as well as the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association competition.

The program offers practical hands-on training in a variety of fields to produce a well-rounded student who is ready to enter the workforce. Students gain practical experience through community partnerships with real nonprofit clients in the area. Students also produce a campus-based news show. Students have access to top-notch facilities and equipment such as a professional podcast studio, a news set, professional video equipment, and a mac lab.

The candidate for this position should have experience in the industry in either public relations, print journalism, broadcast journalism, or radio. The ideal candidate should also have full-time teaching experience at the college level.

In alignment with the University’s Christian mission and core values, the successful candidate will teach using a biblical worldview.

The candidate must possess a vibrant, personal Christian faith including a clear testimony of Christian conversion and be actively involved in an evangelical, preferably Southern Baptist, church.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach undergraduate courses across communication disciplines, which may include courses such as: Introduction to Media Communication/Public Relations, Introduction to Audio and Video Production, Public Relations Strategies and Tactics, Media Law, Advanced Public Speaking/Debate, Broadcast Journalism, and Introduction to Public Speaking.
• Contribute to the ongoing development, assessment, and refinement of curriculum ensuring academic quality, educational relevance, and alignment with professional industry trends. • Mentor and advise students academically, professionally, and spiritually. • Incorporate faith-learning integration through teaching grounded in a biblical worldview. • Participate in university services including faculty meetings, campus visit days, committees, student learning assessment activities, and campus events.
• Support experiential learning opportunities such as internships, student media projects, or community partnerships that enhance student learning and community engagement. • Maintain awareness of emerging communication technologies, platforms, and best practices. • Fulfill other duties as assigned in support of the mission and academic goals of Hannibal LaGrange University.

DEPARTMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Academic Division
• Office of Academic Administration

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Broad knowledge of communication theory and practice, including one or more areas such as digital communication, print journalism, broadcast journalism, media production, public relations, radio, etc.
• Ability to integrate theoretical foundations with applied, experiential learning approaches that prepare undergraduate students for professional and service-oriented careers. • Demonstrated commitment to effective undergraduate teaching, assessment, and student mentorship within a Christian higher education environment.
• Ability to integrate faith and learning through teaching grounded in a biblical worldview and consistent with the mission and core values of Hannibal-LaGrange University. • Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills are necessary for this position.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING

Required:

• Completed master’s or doctoral degree in communication, media communication, journalism, public relations or a closely related field OR a minimum of 18 graduate-level credit hours in communication, media, public relations, or a closely related field combined with relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to teach effectively at the undergraduate level. Commitment to the mission, values, and Christian identity of Hannibal-LaGrange University.

Preferred:

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
• Previous teaching experience in higher education.
• Professional or industry experience in public relations, journalism, broadcast journalism, radio, or digital marketing.

Disclaimer

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and/or other management as required. HLGU reserves the right to revise or change job duties, required skills, or qualifications as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.