Search Postings

Title: Assistant/Associate Professor Sports Communication and Strategic Communication
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: School of Communication
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The School of Communication at Illinois State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position specializing in sports communication and strategic communication, beginning August 2026. We seek a teacher-scholar whose research and teaching bridge sports communication and strategic communication. In this role, the successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in sports and strategic communication; maintain an active and impactful research agenda; advise and mentor graduate students; contribute to curriculum development; and build connections with community and industry partners while engaging in service to the department, college, and university.

Responsibilities include scholarly research/publishing, effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, and service. The normal teaching load is nine credit hours per semester. The individual in this position is thus expected to teach 3 courses each semester in the School of Communication.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The School of Communication typically serves approximately 700 undergraduate and 40 graduate students, offering degrees in Communication Studies, Journalism, Mass Media, Sports Communication, and Public Relations along with a top-rated master’s degree in Communication. The School has research and graphics computer labs, a Communication Innovation Center (CIC), WZND LPFM 103.3 (student radio), and high-definition television station TV-10 with live newscasts. A variety of active student co-curricular organizations are promoted, including Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Association for Women in in Communication (AWC), Lambda Pi Eta, a nationally ranked forensics program, and Student Television Workshop. The School is also home to The Vidette, a renowned student-run news organization. We are a collaborative group of individuals who value collegiality and enjoy working together.

Illinois State University: https://illinoisstate.edu/, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in seven colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at https://illinoisstate.edu 

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Assistant Professor $74,000 – $80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Associate Professor $80,000 – $87,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Required Qualifications

1) Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Communication, Media Studies, Public Relations, Sports Marketing, or a closely related field. ABD considered, with degree completion by August 2027.
2) An emerging or established research record relevant to sports communication and/or strategic communication field
3) Expertise in both sports communication and strategic communication
4) State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for teaching positions.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2026

Required Applicant Documents

1) Detailed letter indicating fit to the position and concise philosophies about teaching and research
2) Curriculum vitae
3) Evidence of teaching effectiveness (syllabi, evaluations, etc.)
4) A statement of research interests
5) Contact information for three references

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin Dec. 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Steve Hunt
skhunt2@ilstu.edu
Please include Sports Communication Faculty Search in the subject line.

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.