2024 Communication Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Professor

Wenzhou-Kean University

Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), located in Wenzhou, China, one of three Sino-American universities along with NYU Shanghai and Duke Kunshan University, is approved by the Ministry of Education of China. Launched in 2012, WKU offers a unique model of higher education in partnership with Kean University, a comprehensive, public research university in the state of New Jersey that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Wenzhou is one of the most vibrant and economically advanced developed cities on China’s East Coast, located one hour by plane and three hours by high-speed train from Shanghai. WKU sits on approximately 500 beautiful acres and currently enrolls about 4,600 students, and it is now amid a period of rapid growth that will bring enrollment to 7,500 students within the next five years. 

All instruction is in English and all curriculum is provided by Kean University. In addition to its current 18 undergraduate programs, WKU has been approved by the Ministry of Education for offering eight Master’s and three Doctorate programs. WKU highly values research-powered teaching and learning, and the average number of faculty publications and the Field-weighted Citation Impact are among the best of leading Chinese academic institutions. 

Wenzhou-Kean University currently offers the following degree programs: Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), Biotechnology Science (M.S.), Computer Information Systems (M.S.), Instruction and Curriculum (M.A.), Global Management (M.B.A.), Architecture (M.Arch.), Educational Administration (M.A.), Psychology (M.A.), Finance (B.S.), Accounting (with emphasis on international standards and practices) (B.S.), Global Business (B.S.), Marketing (B.S.), Management (Business Analytics option/ Supply Chain & Information Management option) (B.S.), Economics (B.S.), Graphic Design (B.F.A.), Interior Design (B.F.A), Industrial Design (B.I.D.), Architectural Studies (B.A.), Computer Science (B.S.), Mathematical Sciences (Supply Chain and Management Information option and  Analytics Option) (B.A.), Biology (Cell and Molecular option) (B.S.), Chemistry (B.S.); Earth Science (Environmental Science option) (B.S.); English (English in Global Settings option) (B.A.); Psychology (General option/Forensic Psychology option) (B.A.); and Communication (Public Relations option) (B.A.). In addition, WKU has a substantial commitment to the teaching of ESL/EFL.

About the Job:

The School of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts is seeking vibrant candidates to teach a full range of undergraduate Communication courses including, but not limited to: Social Media, Media Relations, Journalism, Speech Communication, Business & Professional Communication, Media Production, Public Relations and upper level Communication electives. 

A tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor is a full time, 10-month employee who teaches 24 credits per academic year. Course releases (6 credits per academic year) are available in the first two years of tenure-track to develop research projects or grant proposals and may be available on a competitive basis after the initial two years of appointment. Start-up grant will be provided to launch student-engaging research programs. 

Tenure-track appointment requires publications in internationally impactful and peer-reviewed journals. Applications and securing external research grants are highly desirable.

Tenure-track faculty develop and teach courses related to their academic specialty and research interests, in addition to required Communication major courses and General Education courses as needed. Candidates will be expected to participate in the full range of faculty responsibilities, including high quality teaching, research, advising, student learning support, curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment and retention, office hours, senior project supervision, internship opportunities, research experience for undergraduates, and service to the university and/or professional community. 

Teaching experience with non-native speakers in a foreign country is a plus. Teaching assignments and related responsibilities may include day, evening, and online courses. Interest or experience in using advanced instructional technologies to improve the teaching/learning process is highly desirable. 

All faculty positions are full-time assignments, effective for the start of the Fall 2024 semester. The positions are renewed every three years. Tenure track faculty are considered for tenure and promotion on the 6th year of appointment. 

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in Communication Studies or related field is required; ABD can be considered with completion prior to the effective date of employment. Successful candidates will have strong recent publication records or show potential in producing high quality publications and scholarship. A minimum of two years of teaching experience in a college or university setting is preferred. Fluency in English is required.

Faculty positions at WKU offer:

Annual salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience with the range from $70,000-$76,000 for Assistant Professors; $75,000-$80,000 for Associate Professors. Salary of extraordinary candidates shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. The University will provide start-up grants (up to 80,000 RMB) to support the tenure track candidates to start their research programs. A well-rounded healthcare coverage, academic travel up to $2,000, housing options and subsidy up to $3,000, home traveling up to $6,000 (2 international round-trip airfares), a reimbursement to cover relocation expenses up to $1,000, shuttle bus to campus for work, and up to 8% front-load retirement benefits within accordance with completion of years of service with the University. WKU tuition waiver up to 80% for spouse/dependent children of faculty for undergraduate programs, and tuition discount of private/international kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools for children of faculty. A collegial environment. The opportunity to teach high quality students with more than 70% of WKU graduates admitted to the graduate programs of highly ranked universities globally.  

Application Information:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled. Candidates should send cover letter, CV, statement of teaching philosophy, a research statement describing research interests, past accomplishments in research, and future research plans, unofficial transcripts, and the email contact information of three professional references. Please send all materials to the Search Committee Chairperson at wkucomm@wku.edu.cn. Three current letters of recommendation will be required before advancement. Official transcripts for all degrees are required before appointment.

Background Screening: 

Wenzhou-Kean University conducts background screenings on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background Screenings.