Overview

The Department of Communication & Media in the College of Arts and Sciences at Utah State University seeks applications for the position of Department Head. The college is seeking an effective academic and administrative leader, distinguished by a collaborative spirit and a commitment to fairness, who will foster excellence in research, teaching, and outreach/service. This is a full-time, fiscal-year administrative position but will also allow for a continued faculty role. The anticipated begin date for this appointment is July 1, 2026. The anticipated review date is November 22, 2025, but the job posting will remain open until filled. 

  

The department consists of 33 full-time faculty and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Studies, Journalism & Communication, and Technical Communication & Rhetoric. The head will provide leadership and guidance for a highly motivated faculty and staff across the statewide system; will oversee all instructional, budgetary, and personnel matters; and will represent the multiple programs and manage the diverse needs of the department. The successful candidate will provide leadership while fostering an environment where differences are negotiated respectfully, will be a strong advocate for a vital and growing department, and will advise the Dean as a member of the college leadership team. The departmental faculty is well known for their excellence in research, teaching, and service. For more information about the department, please go to: https://artsci.usu.edu/communication-media/.

Responsibilities

The Department Head reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences with responsibilities including overseeing leadership of departmental degree programs; hiring, evaluating, and facilitating the mentoring of faculty and staff; nurturing new research and creative scholarly activities; managing department resources and budgets; strategic planning; fund-raising and development; promoting excellence, accountability, positive relationships within the department, with other departments, and across the university; and integrating the department’s programs across the statewide system. The Department Head also works with the Dean of Arts and Sciences as a member of the college executive team and will serve as a liaison with statewide campus leadership. 

Qualifications

Candidates must have a PhD in Communication Studies, Journalism & Communication, Technical Communication & Rhetoric, or an adjacent field representing the nature of the department, and an excellent academic record commensurate with the position of a tenured professor. 

  

Successful candidates will either be a Professor or an advanced Associate Professor. 

  

Successful candidates will be strongly committed to: 

• supporting and respecting all programs within the department; 
• effective and appropriate communication; 
• collaborative, participatory leadership 
• undergraduate and graduate teaching and research; 
• supporting and developing the department’s online and statewide programs and initiatives; 
• mentoring faculty through the tenure and promotion processes; 
• championing faculty scholarship by cultivating a supportive environment that mobilizes resources for research success; 
• demonstrating a commitment to ethical, engaged, and research-based pedagogy 
• promoting and supporting belonging and engagement among students, faculty, and staff across all programs and campuses; 
• maintaining some personal research and teaching activities. 

Successful candidates will also have the: 

• ability to manage complex budget and administrative responsibilities; 
• ability to think creatively in strategic planning for the programs, department, and college; 
• skills necessary to work effectively with other entities within the university (such as statewide campuses, other departments, and administration); 
• skills of effective leadership and communication; 
• appreciation for external funding and the willingness to help faculty pursue it; 
• willingness to facilitate development and alumni engagement activities; 
• ability to work with diverse communities and to build positive collaborations within the department, with other departments, and across the university, given the nature of our land grant institution and its relationship to appropriate external communities. 

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Current CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

A list of the names and contact information of three references to be entered into the candidate profile

Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

Statement of leadership philosophy to be typed/pasted at the end of your application under “Leadership Philosophy”

 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

College/Department Highlights

https://artsci.usu.edu/communication-media/.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

 

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

 

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

 

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

*updated 09/2025

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

 

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

 

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

matthew.pinner@usu.edu

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

 

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

cody.carmichael@usu.edu

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

 

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

 

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

 

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

 

*updated 10/2025