Department of Communications
College of Communications
Assistant/Associate Professor
Fall 2026

The Department of Communications at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track assistant or associate professor position in advertising, with an appointment to begin in fall 2026. We are looking for excellent candidates to teach some courses in our advertising core, which includes principles, writing, media planning, creative strategy and execution, and campaigns. Additionally, teaching in advertising electives or department areas of high need and demand, such as digital media and graduate courses.

The successful candidates must teach, engage in scholarly and/or creative activities, 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 an equal opportunity employer and a minority-serving institution, with a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. CSUF earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2021 and 2024, joining a distinguished group of colleges and universities recognized for their commitment to the success of Latine/x students. CSUF has a diverse student population of over 43,000 students, including international students from 73 nations. CSUF is firmly committed to student success by equipping students to achieve academic excellence, career success, and economic mobility. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences. We are seeking to recruit and retain faculty who can teach and mentor our students to achieve their academic and career goals while advancing the University’s strategic plan objectives. CSUF strives to retain all faculty by providing resources to build meaningful connections and community within and across disciplines. The campus community is designed to foster an inclusive environment that enables students, staff, administrators, and faculty to thrive.

Position
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. 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 the start of appointment
• Minimum two years of professional experience in advertising
• Ability to teach a broad range of advertising courses, including a combination of principles, writing, creative strategy, account planning, and campaign courses
• Ability to interact effectively both orally and in writing with a wide and culturally diverse range of students and colleagues
• A well-articulated research and/or creative agenda in advertising and/or digital media

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of successful teaching
• Four years of professional experience in advertising
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-impact programs emphasizing student mentoring and professional engagement
• Contact with industry leaders and the ability to expand university-industry partnerships
• Ability to contribute in the areas of curriculum development, accreditation self-study, and assessment of student learning
• Ability to organize, advise, and generate interest in an active student-run organization
• Experience or interest in integrating AI tools in a professional advertising environment

Application
A complete online application must be submitted electronically to be considered. To apply, please visit http://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/Faculty.php, choose full-time faculty, search for the position 552253, 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 (no more than 500 words):
  • Inclusive excellence is a strategic framework that recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in achieving organizational success and high-quality learning and teaching. It's a way of thinking and acting that integrates these values into all aspects of an institution, from curriculum and pedagogy to recruitment and hiring. Essentially, it means that excellence is not just about achieving high standards, but also about ensuring that all members of the community have the opportunity to thrive and contribute (Williams et al., 2005).
  • With the Inclusive Excellence Statement, we aim to learn about the applicant’s perspective on their past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting and engaging with a diverse student population. This statement should showcase the candidate's professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to teach and create an academic environment supportive of all students, including but not limited to those of diverse ages, abilities, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, languages, religions, and sexual orientations.
  • Cal State Fullerton serves a student body that reflects the rich cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic mosaic of Southern California.  Please provide concrete examples of how you, as a faculty member, will support our students in one or more of the following areas, which fall under the areas of awareness and understanding, experience and commitment, and future plans.
    1. Your contributions (past, present, or future) to embedding perspectives that are reflective of the student population into your teaching and/or scholarship.
    2. Your experience in service activities that are reflective of a diverse student population.
    3. Your experience and commitment to mentoring and providing opportunities to a diverse student body inside and outside the classroom environment. 
    4. Your experience integrating creative activities that are inclusive of the identities of our student body and communities.
• 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 instructions 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 submit a transcript of a terminal degree. Please have these ready should you proceed to the next phase of this search.

Please direct all questions about the position to: Robert Meeds at rmeeds@fullerton.edu or call 657‐278‐2177.

Application Deadline
To be assured full consideration, all application materials must be received by November 21, 2025. The anticipated appointment date is August 2026.

Compensation
The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range for the Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification is $6,851 to $6,985 per month.

The Associate Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,825 to $14,523 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year).

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/.

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017, are subject to a 10-year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton, is not currently sponsoring faculty positions for H-1B employment visas. At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the United States. For information on the University policy on support for non-immigrant probationary faculty visa acquisition, please visit the Faculty/Staff Visas and Permanent Residency page: https://hr.fullerton.edu/risk-management/faculty-staff-visas-permanent-residency/default.php

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. The employee must be able to accept on-campus instruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. The CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States.