Assistant Professor of Practice in Mass Communication (Journalism)

Date Posted	September 19, 2023
Industry	Academia
Specialty	Not Specified
Required Education	Master's Degree
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

The Department of Mass Communication at Sam Houston State University invites applications for an assistant professor of practice in journalism to advise the award-winning Houstonian student newspaper.

The ideal candidate has experience advising student media and/or running a digital-first newsroom and a desire to coach and guide enthusiastic student journalists. With more than a century of history, The Houstonian has a long tradition of thorough reporting and innovative journalism. Extending that legacy could include developing and expanding newsletters, social media and podcast publications as well as fostering collaboration with student radio and television newsrooms, journalism classes and the growing Bearkat Student Media footprint.

The 4/4 courseload would blend hands-on “practicum” courses coaching Houstonian students with existing journalism courses on news reporting, public affairs reporting, copy editing and/or mobile and social media journalism. New classes could also be created and launched by the assistant professor of practice. The courseload could potentially be reduced for significant service assignments.

The position is open for a Spring 2024 or Fall 2024 start.

Minimum Qualifications

• An MA in journalism or a closely related field
• Experience managing a professional newsroom or experience advising student media
• Clear potential for developing and teaching undergraduate journalism courses

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising student media at the undergraduate level and experience managing professional journalists
• Experience developing and teaching undergraduate journalism courses

Application Deadline:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Application Procedure:

Applications must be submitted online.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted online and include a cover letter detailing the applicant’s qualifications, relevant experience and interest in the position, a current CV, and contact information for three references, addressed to: Debbi Hatton (hatton@shsu.edu).

Questions about the position can be directed to Debbi Hatton (hatton@shsu.edu) or Dr. Marcus Funk (mfunk@shsu.edu).

About the Mass Communication Department:

The Department of Mass Communication at Sam Houston State University serves more than 500 students studying journalism, broadcast production, public relations, advertising and film.

Located in the Dan Rather Communications Building, it is home to 90.5 The Kat, Channel 7, Bearkat Student Media, The Houstonian and the annual Heatwave Media and Film Festival. The department blends research-focused and practice-oriented faculty with distinct backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. 

Sam Houston State University:

Located 40 miles north of suburban Houston, Sam Houston State University provides high- quality education, scholarship and service to qualified students for the benefit of regional, state, national and international constituencies. The university is classified as a High Research Activity university and a “Community Engaged” institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. SHSU, a Hispanic Serving Institution, is a growing community serving over 21,000 students across three campuses in Huntsville, Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information, visit https://www.shsu.edu. 

Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity or expression. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code § 51.215.