Instructor - Public Relations
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Position Description
The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University invites applications for a senior public relations professional to join us as our Public Relations Executive in Residence (PRER) for the Spring 2027 or Fall 2027 semester. The PRER will hold the title of visiting professor and teach one online course in their area of expertise.
The PRER will teach an online, asynchronous course in Spring 2027 (mid-January to early May) or Fall 2027 (mid-August to early December). Instruction will take place primarily online with approximately 4 face-to-face meetings on campus in Lubbock, TX, to be scheduled in coordination with the department chair:
- three one-day visits during the semester, and
- a final three-day visit at the end of the semester.
During these visits, the PRER will:
- meet with students in the assigned class,
- guest lecture in other select PRSC courses,
- consult with students in RaiderComm, our student-run public relations firm, and
- collaborate on a community-engaged learning project with TTU students, PRSC faculty members, and a community-partner/nonprofit organization.
The PRER will receive:
- A teaching stipend
- Travel support
- A 10-hour/week graduate student teaching assistant
About the University
Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.About the College
The College of Media & Communication (CoMC) (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/) at Texas Tech University serves approximately 2,400 students across its six undergraduate- and five graduate-degree programs. CoMC offers a student-centered learning environment with high standards for teaching and engaged learning, while benefiting from the resources of an R1 research university. College metrics for undergraduate student retention and graduation rates are near the top at Texas Tech across many categories, and CoMC graduate-student enrollment is at record-high levels. In addition to traditional spaces for offices, classrooms, and computer labs, the College’s 192,000-sf building includes an esports lab, student-run PR agency suite, a commercial-range FM radio station, 12,700 square feet for student organizations and graduate-student offices, and several multimedia production spaces equipped with industry-grade equipment and software. At 13,000 square feet within the building, the CoMC Center for Communication Research (CCR) is the country's premier academic research facility for the study of communication, cognitive and affective processing of information, and media effects. The CCR’s labs and equipment can be used for audience testing, content analysis, experimental surveys, eye-tracking, focus groups, psychophysiological measurements, and robotics/AI integration. The College has rebuilt its research infrastructure and made strategic hires resulting in all-time highs in external funding applications and grant awards. Further strengthening the University’s stable budget environment, state taxpayers in 2023 approved a $3.9 billion research endowment, the Texas University Fund (TUF), that brings $44 million annually to Texas Tech to support faculty research and scholarly/creative activities. Interdisciplinary research strengths across the College’s departments include computational communication, sports communication/media, organizational/corporate communication, and crisis/risk/health communication. Faculty affiliates of the Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic & International Communication engage in teaching, research and community outreach related to Hispanic and international/intercultural communication (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/research/hihic/). With strong campus-wide enrollment growth and experienced academic leadership, the College continues an upward trajectory in alignment with the University’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, its $1.2 billion comprehensive campaign, and its charted path toward membership eligibility by 2035 in the Association of American Universities (AAU).
About the Department/School/Area
The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management (PRSC; https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/programs/publicrelations/) is home to more than 440 undergraduate students, including both face-to-face and distance students, and 15 full-time faculty members. The department trains students to manage integrated communication programs, campaigns, and resources, enabling them to effectively and ethically advocate for the organizations and causes they are passionate about. It combines the expertise of both professional and research faculty members to create a rigorous curriculum that develops students’ proficiency in strategic communication, leadership, media relations, global communication, culturally proficient communication, ethics, data analysis, new technology, critical thinking, and strategic planning.Major/Essential Functions
At Texas Tech University, the Visiting Professor title designates a full-time, non-tenure-acquiring position of a limited duration, usually one semester or academic year. Visiting faculty are expected to perform instructional duties, engage with students, and participate in unit-level meetings and business. In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, applicants should have experience working with a breadth of student populations at the undergraduate level.Faculty Qualifications
- 5+ years of advanced professional experience in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field.
- At least 18 hours of graduate coursework in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field, or an equivalent record of outstanding professional experience that supports credentialing to teach at the undergraduate level.
- A record of leadership in a professional setting (firm, in-house unit, etc.) in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field.
Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:
- A master’s degree in public relations, strategic communication, or a related field.
- At least 5+ years of high-level (C-suite) professional experience in public relations or a closely related strategic communication field.
- Experience teaching at the university level or similar experience (e.g., training, mentorship, etc.).
- A record of community-engaged outreach.
Pay Statement
Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.EEO Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.- Organization: Texas Tech University
- Duty Point: TTU Online (remote duty point)
- Safety Information: Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
- Does this position work in a research laboratory?: No
- Job Type: Part Time
- Pay Basis: Monthly
- Travel Required: Up to 25%
- Grant Funded?: No
- Job Group: Instructors
- Salary Grade: 800
- Applications must be received by: 10/31/2026
Instructor - Public Relations · Texas Tech University System