Assistant Professor of Visual Communication

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 17 Oct 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Assistant Professor of Visual Communication
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work? No
Posting Number 202200323F
Proposed Annual Salary Range 68,200 to 72,200
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Position Type Faculty
Work Hours/Week 40
Description of Work Unit
The department is a highly respected unit in the College of Liberal Arts. A strong professional skills curriculum serves 450+ majors in an ACEJMC-accredited undergraduate program. A fully online undergraduate program launched in 2018 and currently serves an additional 70 undergraduate students. Roughly 50 graduate students are enrolled in the residential M.S. program in Journalism and Media Communication, and a Ph.D. program in Media Communication. A professionally focused Master’s in Communication and Media Management (MCMM) is offered remotely and serves roughly 40 students at any given time.
Programs offer expertise in journalism, public relations, advertising, television, specialized media production, and writing. The department is the home of the Center for Science Communication and is an active partner in the Colorado School of Public Health and the Information Science and Technology Center (ISTeC)—a university-wide consortium involved in information technology education, research, and outreach. Additional partnerships connect the department with Student Media; External Relations; Music, Theater, and Dance; campus-based research superclusters; Sociology; Latin American Studies; Ethnic Studies; Women’s Studies; the School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SOGES), the College of Agricultural Sciences; and several other prominent university departments and initiatives. The department leads academic minors in Music, Stage, and Sports Production; Information Science and Technology; and Science Communication; and participates in minors in Film Studies and Media Studies. More information is available on the department’s website: journalism.colostate.edu.
Faculty members are highly active in research, publication, professional communication, and public service, as well as academic and professional communication organizations at the state, regional, national, and international levels. The Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education has recognized the unique character of the department’s master’s and Ph.D. programs as Western Regional Graduate Programs. The applied, remotely delivered MCMM master’s program offers additional teaching opportunities through both synchronous and asynchronous delivery.
With six dedicated computer labs, access to a television studio, and a wide range of production equipment available for student checkout, the department provides excellent computer, multimedia, and video production capabilities for teaching, research, and creative media production. Undergraduate students also benefit from an independent student media operation, a strong internship program, and close ties to Denver’s media community.
Tenure/Tenure Track? Yes
% Research 35
% Teaching 50
% Service 15
% Administration 0
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 10/17/2022
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date 08/16/2023
Position End Date
Position Summary
Colorado State University seeks an entry-level, tenure track assistant professor in visual communication. The successful candidate will carry a 2/2 teaching load, including undergraduate skills and conceptual courses in visual communication appropriate to the candidate’s background, and relevant theory, research methods, or advanced skills courses at the graduate level. Additionally, the successful candidate will advise M.S. and PhD students, carry out research related to visual communication, participate in service activities, and community engagement/outreach.
CSU is Colorado’s land-grant institution situated in the picturesque foothills of the Rocky Mountains, one hour north of Denver. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be received October 10, 2022
Some required qualifications include an advanced ABD status in a Ph.D. program in a relevant discipline by August 18, 2023, record of research with impact potential in visual communication, some professional experience applying creative production capabilities in visual communication, and potential for teaching excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Required Job Qualifications
  • Advanced ABD status in a Ph.D. program in a relevant discipline by August 18, 2023. The successful candidate must complete the Ph.D. within one year of appointment.
  • Record of research with impact potential in visual communication within journalism and storytelling, media production, and strategic communication contexts
  • Evidence of professional experience applying creative production capabilities in visual communication applicable to journalism and storytelling, media production, and strategic communication, or closely related area.
  • Experience and/or potential for excellence in teaching undergraduate visual communication courses in at least two areas that may include photography, video production and editing, layout and design, information design, data visualization, and/or video graphics and animation
  • Ability to advise M.S. and Ph.D. students and teach graduate courses with a focus on visual communication theory, research methods applicable to visual communication, and/or application of theory and research to visual communication skills.
  • A demonstrated ability to articulate how their research and teaching contributes to CSU’s Principles of Community (see https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/resources/principles-of-community/ ).
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Completed Ph.D. in a relevant field by August 18, 2023.
  • An established program of research that’s making impacts in visual communication within journalism and storytelling, media production, and strategic communication contexts
  • Evidence of proficiency with industry-standard software (e.g. , Adobe Creative Suite, iOS and/or Android visual creation and editing apps, Canva, etc.) and digital media including social, mobile, and legacy media
  • At least three years of post-baccalaureate media communication experience with an emphasis on visual communication
  • Demonstrated excellence in previous college teaching experience in visual communication
  • Background in funded scholarship or potential to attract extramural funding
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application materials include a letter of application with a statement of research focus, a curriculum vita, publications, or conference papers demonstrating scholarly engagement (3 maximum), a statement of teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, a diversity statement describing efforts to incorporate DEISJinto teaching and mentoring and a list of three references.
References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Search Contact Katie Abrams, [email protected]

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Teaching
Duty/Responsibility
The faculty member will teach a 2/2 course load including courses such as JTC211, Visual Communication; JTC335, Photography; JTC340, Video Editing; JTC371, Publications Design and Production; JTC417, Data Visualization Design; JTC440, Advanced Media Production; other advanced visual communication classes; and graduate-level classes in visual communication, such as JTC 544 Corporate and Institutional Media Production, JTC 661 Information Design, and special theory and methods topics courses in visual communication. 
Percentage Of Time 50
Job Duty Category Research
Duty/Responsibility
The faculty member will continue an established research/scholarly activities agenda consistent with media ethics and issues, journalistic practices and professional communication.
Percentage Of Time 35
Job Duty Category Service
Duty/Responsibility
The faculty member will work in conjunction with the department chair in providing service/administrative functions to the department, college, and university as needed.
Percentage Of Time 15

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