Department of Communications
College of Communications
Assistant Professor
Journalism and Digital Media
Fall 2025
The Department of Communications at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure‐track assistant professor position in journalism and digital media with an appointment to begin fall 2025. We are looking for excellent candidates who can teach core journalism courses, including writing, production, and/or principles and at least one additional area of specialization in existing journalism electives or areas of high need and demand: local government/investigative reporting, sports reporting, data journalism, magazine writing, editing and production, artificial intelligence, Spanish-language journalism and/or broadcast journalism.
The successful candidates must teach, engage in research and service, participate in assessment of student learning, and provide academic and professional mentoring to students in a nationally recognized ACEJMC and CEPR accredited program. Teaching assignments may include in-person and/or online undergraduate and graduate courses scheduled during the day and/or evening.
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a minority-serving institution, affirmative action, and equal opportunity employer. CSUF is firmly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum and fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences. Individuals advancing the University’s strategic diversity goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.
CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established affinity groups you can join to support your success.
CSUF faculty are committed teacher/scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, studios, and individually mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on departmental and university-wide committees. The primary responsibilities of the person in this position will include the development and teaching of introductory and core courses in the discipline and the development of courses in their area(s) of specialization. Specific courses that this person may teach include COMM 201, COMM 370 and additional courses in the area of interest. This person will also be responsible for producing scholarship and/or creative work commensurate with the requirements for tenure. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on committees, and participate in the broader university and disciplinary communities.
The Department of Communications is one of the largest and most diverse mass communications programs in the United States, situated in the second largest media market in the country. Nearly 1,500 students are enrolled in four concentrations (advertising, entertainment/tourism, journalism, and public relations) with nearly 50 full- and part-time faculty members. The Department operates international programs, a graduate program, numerous laboratory facilities, an internship center, award-winning student media, a student advertising and public relations agency, a week-long signature university event called COMM Week, and many other student organizations, clubs and competitions. For more information about the department, please visit: http://communications.fullerton.edu/comm
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in communications or a relevant discipline by start of appointment
- Minimum two years of professional experience in journalism, digital media, or related fields.
- Ability to teach digital reporting and writing and principles and history of American mass communication.
- Ability to successfully teach one additional area of specialization in existing journalism electives or areas of high need and demand: local government/investigative reporting, sports reporting, data journalism, magazine writing, editing and production, artificial intelligence, Spanish-language journalism and/or broadcast journalism.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current and relevant journalism or digital media hardware and software.
- Ability to interact effectively both orally and in writing with a wide and culturally diverse range of students and colleagues.
Preferred Qualifications
- Evidence of successful teaching
- A well-articulated research and/or creative agenda in journalism or digital media or related fields.
- Ability to contribute to the areas of curriculum development, accreditation self-study, and assessment of student learning.
- Demonstrated ability to lead high-impact programs emphasizing student mentoring partnerships.
- Contact with industry leaders and ability to expand university-industry partnerships
Application
A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To apply, please visit http://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/Faculty.php, choose full-time faculty, search for the position (543004), and provide the following required materials:
- cover letter in which you respond to the required qualifications
- curriculum vitae
- research statement
- teaching statement
- candidate statement on commitment to inclusive excellence
- This statement provides the candidate’s unique perspective on their past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice in their professional careers. This statement aims to help the department identify candidates with professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to engage in activities that could help CSUF contribute to its mission in these areas. The statement shall address one or more of the following criteria:
- The candidate has acquired knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty in higher education.
- The candidate has experience in and is committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations in higher education.
- The candidate has experience in and is committed to teaching and/or mentoring underrepresented students in a higher education environment.
- The candidate has experience integrating underrepresented populations and communities into scholarly and creative activities.
- a list of three references with relevant contact information
- Finalists must submit three letters of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit. On the References page of the online application, enter information and email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. At the appropriate time in the search process, they will receive a request via email along with information on uploading the letter. You can verify that CSUF has received each letter by logging back into your applicant portal.
Finalists will be asked to have a transcript or unofficial transcript of a terminal degree. Please have these ready should you proceed to this search phase.
Please direct all questions about the position to: Penchan Phoborisut at pphoborisut@fullerton.edu or call 657‐278-4729.
Application Deadline
To be assured full consideration, all application materials must be received by October 20, 2024. The anticipated appointment is August 2025.
Compensation
The Assistant Professor (2025) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $6,851 to $7,130 per month.
Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm).
Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.
CSUF Benefits
An excellent comprehensive benefits package includes health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner, and dependent fee‐waiver; access to campus child‐care; and a defined‐benefit retirement through the state system and optional tax sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.
Additional Information
Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.
CSU Policies
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self‐disclose.
Notice of Non-Discrimination based on Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator (http://www.fullerton.edu/titleix/about/notice.php).
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. It requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the State of California.