Job Description

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (The College) on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University (ASU) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Director of the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (HDSHC) with a concurrent appointment as tenured Full Professor. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2026.

Reporting to the dean of social sciences within The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the next Director will have a leadership style that aligns with the university's culture of invention and innovation, creates meaningful and enduring results and encourages a passion for the social sciences as interconnected, inclusive and impactful fields. The Director should cultivate a persuasive vision for the HDSHC’s future that reflects our highest aspirations for the school and its role in civil discourse within and across communities and throughout society.

About the Hugh Down School of Human Communication

The HDSHC is home to a dynamic group of faculty working to create innovative research and excellence in teaching through its efforts to address the complexity of human communication in the 21st century. The HDSHC’s mission aims to place communication at the center of human activity while creating a culture of belonging that values inclusive excellence. The HDSHC is comprised of 28 distinguished core faculty and offers BA, BS, MA and PhD degrees in Communication, and will soon launch an online masters degree in Health Communication. Our faculty are recognized for teaching and research excellence in areas of Human Communication including: health, intercultural, interpersonal, organizational, performance studies, critical/cultural studies and rhetoric. Online programs have experienced exponential growth and the school looks forward to continuing the upward trajectory. The HDSHC offers laboratory facilities, computer resources, project support, grant development support and a performance studio.

Learn more about the HDSHC and ASU at https://humancommunication.asu.edu/ andhttps://newamericanuniversity.asu.edu/, respectively. Learn more about what The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has to offer by visitinghttps://thecollege.asu.edu/faculty

About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.

Essential Functions

• Provide intellectual leadership for a unit addressing the complexity of human communication in the 21st century
• Oversee the management of HDSHC’s exceptional academic programs to improve student experiences and expand access
• Collaborate with stakeholders inside and outside of the HDSHC to advance the unit’s goals
• Recruit, retain, and mentor excellent faculty and staff
• Manage unit resources responsibly

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in Communication Studies or a closely related field
• A current appointment as Professor with tenure in an academic unit at ASU
• A record of effective mentoring
• Demonstrated experience in an academic leadership position

Desired Qualifications:

• An internationally recognized program of research, a strong record of external funding and experience supporting colleagues as they compete for funding
• Demonstrated experience with financial oversight and personnel management
• Excellent interpersonal and strong persuasive communication skills
• Ability to articulate the vision, mission and future aims of the HDSHC in relationship to The College and the University
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial approach to forming alliances and partnerships with other units and programs, as well as outside organizations and external stakeholders
• A broad outlook and approach to new trends in Human Communication that capture a new learning paradigm of the communication process in post-pandemic higher education
• An interest in and commitment to fundraising and an ability to present a compelling story to potential donors, funding agencies, and external constituencies

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed beginning February 7, 2026; if not filled, reviews will occur every two weeks thereafter until the search is closed. Candidates are required to submit the following for consideration at https://apply.interfolio.com/180550

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.