Lecturer/Assistant Teaching Professor of Communication Studies and Director of Forensics

The Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for a Director of Forensics and a Lecturer/Assistant Teaching Professor, 9-month teaching-track position beginning August 15, 2027. Required qualifications include an M.A. or Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a related area, along with the responsibilities of:

• Directing the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s competitive intercollegiate forensics team
• Teaching courses in the theory, research, and practice of communication studies
• Working effectively with a diverse student population of undergraduate and graduate students
• Service at the department, college, and/or university levels, as appropriate

The duties of the Director of Forensics include, but are not limited to:

• Arranging and supervising tournament travel, student organization registration and compliance, budget management, and supervision of graduate coaching assistants.
• Supporting the growth and health of UNC Charlotte Speech through recruitment and retention efforts, including outreach to high schools and other relevant organizations, as well as on-campus recruitment events.
• Recruiting and retaining undergraduate speech team competitors and graduate coaching assistants.
• Providing high-quality and pedagogically-sound coaching and instruction for students in competitive intercollegiate speech and individual events including weekly team meetings, preparing students for tournaments, and engaging in necessary pre-season preparation.

We welcome applications from candidates with interests in any of the concentration areas in the department: health communication; organizational communication; media and technology studies; rhetoric, culture, and social change; and/or public relations. The candidate will be expected to teach a minimum of three undergraduate courses per semester in addition to their duties as Director of Forensics, as staffing needs dictate, including foundational courses (e.g., Introduction to Public Speaking; Introduction to Interpersonal Communication; Introduction to Communication Studies) and other topics in the candidate’s area of specialty. Candidates with a background in performance studies, argumentation, and/or rhetoric and who have previous experience coaching Individual Events are preferred.

Successful candidates will teach undergraduate students in the Department of Communication Studies and, depending on interest and qualifications, may teach Master’s students in the department’s graduate program. Finalists will be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage, include, and eliminate barriers to learning for UNC Charlotte students, and how their educational approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their entry pathway into the university. The Department of Communication Studies (https://communication.charlotte.edu/) has 53 full- time faculty with areas of emphasis in health communication; organizational communication; public relations; media and technology studies; rhetoric, culture, and social change; and writing, rhetoric and digital studies. The department serves approximately 870 Communication Studies majors and minors and 25 Master’s students. The department’s primary mission is to provide high quality instruction to its undergraduate and graduate students and to contribute significantly to the understanding of communication issues as they affect people’s lives, especially in the Charlotte metropolitan region. Through its teaching, scholarship and service the department is committed to serving diverse populations.

The Department of Communication Studies is part of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHESS). As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, CHESS houses 14 departments, 13 interdisciplinary programs, and 7 applied centers. We offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs with extensive honors and early-

entry options. The College plays a pivotal role in delivering on the university’s goals in the areas of research excellence, student success and experience, and community engagement. Through their scholarship and teaching, the College’s 350+ faculty members seek to deepen our understanding of complex problems and lead the university in interdisciplinary collaboration. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (https://www.charlotte.edu/) is a doctoral, research-intensive urban university, located on an expanding modern campus. UNC Charlotte is an R-1 university, and the only research university in North Carolina’s largest metropolitan area.

As the second-largest institution in the UNC System, we transform lives, communities, and industries through accessible and affordable education, offering exemplary bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs. Our commitment to scholarship, innovation, and service drives our contributions to the ever-evolving needs of society. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on real-world applications, we prepare our graduates to excel in their careers and lead with purpose and integrity in a rapidly changing world. The review of applications will begin October 30, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must apply electronically at https://jobs.charlotte.edu/, position #005250 Please upload a cover letter responding to the qualifications listed above, a current CV, and contact information for three references. Contact Dr. Nance Riffe (nriffe@charlotte.edu, Search Committee Chair) or Dr. Erin Basinger (ebasinge@charlotte.edu, Chair of the Department of Communication Studies) with questions.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. In keeping with this commitment, UNC Charlotte ensures that persons of any background are invited, included, and treated equally in the terms and conditions of employment. The candidate chosen for this position will be subject to Criminal Background Check. The candidate selected for this position will be required to submit their official transcripts of their highest degree upon hire. For all open-rank positions, rank is dependent on education and experience.