Assistant Professor of Communications (Digital Media)

Position: Assistant Professor of Communications (Digital Media: Game Design/3D Animation)

Type: Tenure-Track                  Academic Year: 2026-2027                  Available: Fall 2026 

Location:         Department of Communications

                        College of Arts and Humanities

                        California State University, Bakersfield

                        9001 Stockdale Highway

                        Bakersfield, CA  93311-1099

Contact: Requests for information about the position and application process should be directed to: 

Prof. Mary Slaughter, Search and Screening Committee Chair

     Email: mslaughter@csub.edu

     Tel: (661) 654-2152 

Deadline: Full consideration will be given to complete applications submitted by February 4, 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the committee until the position is filled. 

University Background: CSU Bakersfield, founded in 1970, is a regional, comprehensive university serving the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. CSU Bakersfield’s service area covers nearly 25,000 square miles and is home to a socially and ethnically diverse population. CSU Bakersfield is the only four-year degree granting institution within a 100-mile radius. Due to this, CSU Bakersfield has a vital role in educational obtainment, economic development, and quality of life within the region. The campus serves 9,800 undergraduate students and 1,750 graduate, credential, and post-baccalaureate students. CSU Bakersfield is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

The accolades recently received by CSU Bakersfield include: #18 in Top Public Universities in the West (U.S. News and World Report, 2025), #17 in Best Bang for the Buck for Western Colleges and #8 in Best Master’s University (Washington Monthly, 2025), #9 in Economic Mobility Index (Third Way, 2024), and #4 in California Mobility Index (College Future Foundation, 2024).

Commitment to Diversity: The Department of Communications within the College of Arts and Humanities at CSU Bakersfield is committed to academic and inclusive excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body. 

College Information: Comprised of seven departments (Art & Art History, Communications, English, History, Modern Languages & Literatures, Music & Theatre, and Philosophy & Religious Studies), the College of Arts & Humanities at California State University, Bakersfield, provides thriving academic degree programs to approximately 1,000 students as well as core areas of General Education for the approximately 11,000 students at the university. In addition to classroom instruction, the departments in the College host art exhibits, dramatic productions, and concerts, as well as “The Runner” (the Student Newspaper) and student broadcasting programs. Departments often invite distinguished visiting artists and speakers to present to university-wide audiences. Students benefit from high-impact practices in the College, including direct experience with the arts and humanities in public cultural settings through the Beyond the Classroom program. The College also offers three M.A. programs (English, History, and Spanish). Lastly, the College houses the Institute for Basque Studies, the Public History Institute, and the Institute for Religion, Education, and Public Policy (all of which also link to the broader community in Kern County).

Department Information: The Department of Communications has approximately 200 majors and is growing. Professors come to know students well and mentor them for success. We offer a B.A. degree with concentrations in in Digital Media, Journalism, and Public Relations. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.csub.edu/comm. 

Position Description: Applications are invited for a tenure-track position in Digital Media with an emphasis on Game Design and 3D Animation at the Assistant Professor level, beginning in August 2026. We are looking for a creative practitioner who brings dedication to