Position: Assistant Professor Communication Studies (Rhetorical Theory and Criticism)
Effective Date: August 17, 2027 (Fall Semester)
Salary Range: The Assistant Professor (2027-2028) classification salary is $74,652 to $158,688/year; $6,221 to $13,224/per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $86,000 to $90,000 per year; $7,167 to $7,500/per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). Salary offered is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Deadline: Review of applications to begin December 14, 2026. Position opened until filled (or recruitment canceled)
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). CSULB earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2023, joining a distinctive group of colleges and universities who have been recognized for its commitment to Latine/x student success. CSULB is committed to serving diverse students and has established and actively supports the Black Excellence Collegium, dedicated to promoting Black excellence and advancing Black Student Success, and El Concilio for Latinx Success at the Beach, whose mission is to build capacity and promote inclusive servingness across initiatives and efforts for the benefit of all students. The President’s Equity and Change Commission is dedicated to achieving inclusive excellence in our community and culture and throughout the university. CSULB’s Beach 2030 University Action Plans prioritize engaging all students; expanding access to higher education; promoting intellectual achievement; building community; and cultivating resilience.
College of Liberal Arts
Department of Communication Studies
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Communication at time of application or official notification of completion of the doctoral degree by August 1, 2027.
- Demonstrated potential or evidence of excellence in teaching at the college level
- Demonstrated potential or evidence of an ongoing, successful record of research, scholarly and creative activities, and publication
- Demonstrated potential or evidence of a research agenda that employs rhetorical methodologies
- Ability to teach courses in rhetorical theory and/or criticism and GE oral communication courses
- Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including Black/African American, Latine/x, Native American/Indigenous, low-income, first-generation, and minoritized students
- Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including low socioeconomic and first-generation students.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience teaching writing intensive courses
- A commitment to engaging students outside of the classroom through mentoring, internship supervision, program development, career guidance, and/or service learning
- Experience of successfully working with populations demographically and/or socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body
- Experience supporting students with minoritized identities or experience using inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies in a diverse higher education classroom
Duties:
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in rhetorical criticism and rhetorical theory, as well as courses in the candidate’s area of expertise. (Mode of instruction may include in-person, hybrid, online, and/or any combination thereof depending on department need).
- Engage in a systematic program of scholarship resulting in research, scholarship, and creative activities. CSULB recognizes and values research, scholarship, and creative activities (RSCA) across a continuum of diverse forms which create, apply, or expand knowledge or skills benefiting professional, local, state, national, or international communities. RSCA involves peer review and the dissemination of products and findings
- Advise and direct students in academic projects and scholarly activities
- Participate in service to department, college, university, and community
With just over 1,000 majors and 20 graduate students, the Communication Studies department at CSULB is the second largest in the College of Liberal Arts. We boast a nationally ranked forensics team, an internationally recognized performance troupe (InterACT), and the Center for First Amendment Studies that serves the CSU system. Our undergraduates are hardworking, diverse, and engaging. Our Master's students are intellectually curious and enthusiastic. Our faculty are research productive and innovative teachers. Together we have co-created a vibrant community of scholars.
CSULB seeks to recruit faculty who enthusiastically support the University’s strong commitment to the academic success of all of our students, including students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the People of California, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.
Information on excellent benefits package available to CSULB faculty is located here: CSU Employee Benefits
How to Apply - Required Documentation:
- A Student Success Statement about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population (maximum two pages, single-spaced). For further information and guidelines, please visit: Student Success Statement
- Letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications
- CV
- Names and contact information for three references (to be contacted for confidential letters of recommendation should you reach the semi-finalist)
- Finalists should be prepared to submit an official transcript (e-transcript preferred, if available)
How to Apply: Click Apply Now icon to complete the CSULB online application
Requests for information and process should be addressed to:
Jennifer Asenas, Department Chair
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Communication Studies
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-7679 or E-Mail: Jennifer.asenas@csulb.edu
Requests for information about the position should be addressed to:
Stephanie Hartzell, Associate Professor
stephanie.hartzell@csulb.edu
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
A background check (including a criminal records check and telephone reference check with most recent employer) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.
Pursuant to the CSU Out of State Employment Policy, hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California is prohibited effective January 1, 2022. By prohibiting employment outside of California, the CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States. Exceptions to the Policy are limited to approved and documented purposes for conducting CSU business outside of California.
All employees who assign and/or oversee work are responsible for ensuring that compliant work controls and procedures consistent with Federal, State and local regulations and University policies are implemented and maintained to provide for the protection of individuals and to safeguard the environment. Everyone is expected to comply with applicable Environmental Health and Safety regulations and University policies, programs and procedures. For more information, the systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/18172024/latest/ and questions may be sent to Environmental_Health_Safety@csulb.edu.
All university program and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law, CSULB provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. To access CSULB’s full statement on Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment, please visit Equity and Compliance