Assistant Professor of Communication

This position may include a combination of day, evening, weekend, extension site and online or hybrid assignments.

District Values

Southwestern Community College District (SWCCD) is committed to meeting the educational goals of its students in an inclusive environment that promotes intellectual growth and develops human potential. We are the leader in equitable education that transforms the lives of students and communities.

SWCCD employees are collegial and collaborative. They demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and respect when interacting with students, colleagues, leadership and members of the Jaguar community. Our employees actively honor and respect diversity to foster a safe and welcoming community where all are inspired to participate and realize a sense of belonging.

Incumbents exhibit an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, and employees, including those with physical or learning disabilities, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.

THE COLLEGE

Southwestern Community College District (SWCCD) is not just a college district; it is a vibrant hub of higher education serving the diverse communities of Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, National City, and Coronado. Our strategic location in south San Diego County places us in a unique position to provide exceptional services to a binational community along the United States-Mexico International Border.

As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution and eligible Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (ANNAPISI), SWCCD places immense value on equity, inclusion, diversity, and culturally responsive classroom instruction and support services. We understand that each employee and student bring a unique set of experiences and perspectives to our campus, and we are committed to creating an environment that welcomes and celebrates this diversity.

The College is dedicated to providing quality academic programs, comprehensive student support services that ensure equitable access, and clear pathways to student success. These efforts include professional development opportunities, employee-led affinity groups, proud commitment to DACA students, and supportive employee onboarding practices.

OUR STUDENTS

SWCCD currently enrolls approximately 32,000 students annually. SWCCD is a very diverse college with an ethnicity/race make up of 58% Hispanic students, 19% Caucasian students, 6% Filipino students, 5% African American students, 2% Asian students and 3% multi-ethnicity. Approximately 56% of the college’s students are under the age of 24 with 28% ages 25 to 39. Approximately 53% of students receive some form of financial aid, 39% are full-time students and 61% part-time students. The college has approximately 1,500 employees.

OUR VALUES

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, academic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. We seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. Successful candidates will be expected to exhibit responsiveness and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, cultural, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, religious, and ethnic and racial backgrounds of community college students and employees, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

1. Critically self-assess their individual impact, through teaching practices and student engagement, on closing equity gaps and holds themselves accountable to upholding and delivering equitable practices.
2. Reframe deficit language and take individual and collective responsibility to look at their own practices as a vehicle to eliminate inequities.
3. Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human differences.
4. Strategically encourage and build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity efforts.

Southwestern Community College District seeks faculty who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals.

Under the direction of the Dean, the School of Arts, Communication, Design and Media is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Communication. This position requires a candidate skilled in teaching communication courses. The School is particularly interested in candidates who have training and/or experience in, and a commitment to, teaching a wide range of communication classes, including argumentation and debate, public speaking, oral communication, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, mass communication, and oral interpretation.

Master’s Degree in Speech, Speech Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Rhetoric, Communication, Communication Studies, Speech Communication, or Organizational Communication.

OR

Bachelor’s Degree in any of the above AND Master’s Degree in Drama/Theater Arts, Mass Communication, or English.

• Additional assessment is required for applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States. Applicants must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and must submit a copy of the evaluation with the application.

An applicant who does not possess the minimum educational degree or holds a degree that does not match the exact degree title(s) listed under “Minimum Qualifications,” may have their educational preparation reviewed to determine if it is equivalent to the breadth and content of coursework typical of the required degree(s). Granting of equivalency is a District decision and may be considered if the applicant submits a Supplemental Equivalency Application by uploading the form with your online application. Applicants may include additional supporting documents to demonstrate their equivalency request.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Recent teaching experience, especially at the community college level.
• Experience in teaching Communication Studies courses using non-traditional approaches.
• Experience teaching argumentation and debate courses at the college level.
• Familiarity with computer-assisted technology as related to public speaking applications.
• Experience in curriculum development and maintenance.
• Experience assessing student learning outcomes.

Candidates must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities. Experience working in a community with a similar diversity pattern as is found in the service area for Southwestern College is desirable.

A short teaching demonstration may be required of those invited for an interview.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Subject matter preparation:

1. Experience in teaching general education/non-major students.
2. Experience in teaching Communication Studies courses.

Evidence of ability and effectiveness as a faculty member:

1. Understanding of the role and purpose of the community college.
2. Ability to evaluate one’s andragogy and its effectiveness in facilitating student learning.
3. Ability to use teaching methods that engage racially, ethnically, academically, and culturally diverse students; promote critical thinking and emphasize cooperation and collaboration.
4. Sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.
5. Experience in equitable teaching practices.
6. Commitment to collegiality and collaboration by working as a team with faculty and staff enhancing instruction, curriculum, and student success; as well as in the planning of class schedules and teaching rotations.
7. Knowledge and practice of culturally responsive pedagogy and andragogy that supports student-centered, self-reflective, and student-capable approaches which includes a wide range of institutional delivery systems.
8. Ability to teach online courses effectively.
9. Commitment to professional responsibilities and associations outside of the classroom through contributions to the department, division and college activities.

Upon initial employment, full-time faculty members are placed on the salary schedule based upon years of experience and education. Initial salary placement can range from $70,277.00-$105,742.00 per year.

Faculty members are encouraged to continue their professional development through additional study qualifying them for advancement on the salary schedule. For the current salary schedule and information on salary placement visit our website at www.swccd.edu.

Academic employees participate in the State Teachers’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE (Subject to change):Any application received after the initial screening deadline is not guaranteed a review.

December 18 – March 1, 2026

Position advertised; District receives applications

March 1, 2026

Initial screening deadline for guaranteed consideration. Position is open until filled.

March 9-27, 2026

Reviewing of applications.

March 30-April 3, 2026

Closed for Spring Break.

April 6-17, 2026

Search Committee interviews candidates

April 20-30, 2026

Top finalist interviews

May, 2026

Successful applicant name submitted to Governing Board for approval.