Instructor

About This Role

The A.Q. Miller School of Media & Communication at Kansas State University seeks applications for an Instructor of Communication and Director of Forensics position. The successful candidate will teach courses in Communication Studies with an emphasis on areas such as rhetoric, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and related areas that align with the current faculty focus. They will also demonstrate the potential to advance Kansas State University’s Next-Gen K-State | Land-Grant University goals.

What is expected:

• Teach a variety of undergraduate courses in the Communication Studies curriculum such as Rhetoric in Civic Life, Rhetoric of Social Movements, Theories of Human Communication, Criticism of Public Discourse, Organizational Communication, Intercultural Communication, Communication and Leadership, Persuasion, and other program electives based on the candidate’s interest area.
• Serve as the Director of K-State Speech, the AQ Miller School’s competitive intercollegiate forensics team. Duties include but are not limited to arranging and supervising tournament travel, student organization registration and compliance, budget management, and supervision of graduate coaching assistants.
• Support the growth and health of K-State Speech through recruitment and retention efforts, including outreach to high schools and other relevant organizations, as well as on-campus recruitment events. Recruit and retain undergraduate speech team competitors and graduate coaching assistants. Promote awareness about K-State Speech to relevant stakeholders through outreach and branding efforts.
•  Provide high-quality and pedagogically-sound coaching and instruction for students in competitive intercollegiate speech and individual events. Run weekly team meetings, prepare students for tournaments, and engage in necessary pre-season preparation.
• Foster a culture of excellence both on the K-State Speech team and within the broader culture of the AQ Miller School.
• Engage in alumni outreach and fundraising efforts to support the K-State Speech team, including coordination with relevant campus partners like K-State Foundation.
• Engage in school, university, and community service, as well as program of service and outreach with relevant forensics organizations. As appropriate, in alignment with the Miller School’s mission to serve the broader community, develop and support related experiences for high school students, other coaches, community members, etc.
• Support our accreditation efforts in alignment with standards outlined by our accrediting body, ACEJMC (the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications).
• Work effectively as a team member, embracing and actively contributing to the collaborative and engaged culture of the AQ Miller School of Media & Communication.
  
  

About Us

The A.Q. Miller School is a powerful media and communication destination on campus and online for education, research and community engagement at Kansas State University. Students major in Advertising and Public Relations, Communication Studies, Digital Innovation in Media or News and Sports Media; earn minors and certificates; or pursue an advanced degree that will prepare them for a scholarly or professional career. Our 30+ faculty and staff represent decades of experience in industry and education, train tomorrow’s communicators to be critical thinkers, astute information consumers, and creative, ethical and engaged leaders.

The A.Q. Miller School of Media & Communication at Kansas State University, created through the recent merger of Journalism and Mass Communications, and Communication Studies faculty, are united by a commitment to innovation, storytelling, and advocacy, with a focus on driving positive change and amplifying all voices. We are a growing and thriving School seeking driven and capable team members to build our next chapter.

The A.Q. Miller School of Media & Communication is fully accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. The school has recently introduced a wide range of new degree programs, micro-credentials, certificates, and courses. Our faculty is deeply committed to Kansas State’s land-grant mission, as outlined in the Next-Gen Land Grant strategic plan, with a strong focus on principles of community, access, and providing exceptional education and research for our student body. As the home for both the Huck Boyd National Center for Community Media and the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy, the School actively encourages and rewards public-facing and community-engaged scholarships in our tenure and promotion process.

The school offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in Advertising and Public Relations, Communication Studies, Digital Innovation in Media, and News and Sports Media, as well as master's degrees in Communication Studies and Mass Communications. Our interdisciplinary doctoral program in Leadership Communication further exemplifies our commitment to graduate education. Faculty expertise spans health and risk communication, rural communication networks, media law, political communication, data analytics, media economics, emerging media, media criticism, organizational communication, and beyond.

For more information, visit https://www.k-state.edu/media-communication/about/

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• An M.A. in Communication Studies or a closely related field.
• Prior experience with coaching and administration of a competitive intercollegiate forensics program.
• Familiarity with the culture and institutions related to intercollegiate forensics competition.
• Prior experience teaching courses similar to those in the Communication Studies Degree Program at the A.Q. Miller School of Media & Communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a dynamic and engaged faculty and staff team.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Communication Studies or a closely related field.
• Prior experience as a Director of Forensics at the collegiate level, including prior experience with budget management, travel logistics, and student organization registration and compliance.
• Record of competitive excellence in intercollegiate forensics competition.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching courses in the communication studies curriculum or closely related areas.
• Experience with student recruitment and familiarity with high school forensics organizations and culture.
• Commitment to community engagement and outreach activities.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

1. A cover letter outlining your qualifications in relation to this position, coaching philosophy, teaching philosophy, evidence of excellence in teaching, and professional goals.
2. A curriculum vitae that includes education and employment history and contact information for three references; and any additional materials, including online links, that relate to teaching, coaching, team administration, and professional productivity.

Application Window

Applications close on: April 1, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$60,000-$70,000 annually