Assistant Professor of Media Communication at The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Nicki Stancil, nicki.reamer@uafs.edu

The Department of English, Rhetoric and Writing, and Media Communication at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Media Communication beginning August 2024. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching classes within the Media Communication program, including Introduction to Speech. Applicants should be able to teach within a broad range of courses in multi-media journalism, social media, strategic communication, public relations, and/or media management. Candidates must have a commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching and scholarship. The position reports to the Department Chair of English, Rhetoric and Writing, and Media Communication.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Work Experience: Minimum qualifications include terminal degree in Media Communication, Journalism or related field, with an emphasis on communication; plus two years of college-level teaching experience. ABD considered with firm defense date.

Preferred Education and/or Work Experience: We seek an individual with experience as a practicing professional in the field of journalism, social media, communication, or related industry. We would be particularly interested in applicants who have expertise in multi-media journalism, social media management, interviewing, investigative reporting, copyediting, scriptwriting, and the potential to develop additional courses within the candidate’s area of expertise.

Essential Job Duties:

• Responsible for teaching undergraduate courses, both online and in the classroom. Course load is 24hrs per academic year, or 12hrs per semester.
• Assist with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Create and maintain an environment which emphasizes learning, encourages free discussion of ideas and critical thinking.
• Employ culturally responsive teaching pedagogies and approaches.
• Evaluate progress of students concerning educational matters and grade student work.
• Ability and motivation to foreground issues related to diversity into the curriculum.
• Recruitment and retention of students.
• Advise and mentor students, specifically during Fall and Spring Advising sessions.
• Maintain an active program of personal scholarly advancement, including appropriate national and regional presentations and publication.
• Maintain appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics
• Service to department, college, and University, including committees and assessments.
• Responsible for maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner to foster teamwork and by providing leadership to subordinates.
• Requires consistent on-time attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: To perform the job successfully, the following competencies are required for the essential functions of this position:

• Ability to collaborate with colleagues across related disciplines
• Ability to work with local media.
• Demonstrated abilities in effective pedagogical practices and strategies in teaching social media, strategic communication, public relations, and/or media management.
• Knowledge of and skills in spans social media management and analytics, media writing across forms and genres, and new media public relations practices. Overlaps with Health Communication practices here a plus.
• Knowledge of and skills in with a range of social media applications (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat, TikTok, etc.) and Google Analytics.
• Knowledge of and skills in with Adobe Creative Suite (Adobe Premiere Pro Video, Audio for Video, and Motion Graphics) or comparable creative software applications.
• Knowledge of and skills in media and/or strategic communication theory and practice.
• Knowledge of and skills in student focused learning and teaching styles.
• Experience in hybrid, blended, or online teaching.
• Ability to engage students through the use of innovative teaching practices and teach students from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to build an inclusive learning environment and participate in the support of student media.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Additional Information:

Working Relationships: Works with a diverse team of faculty, staff, and students to create a welcoming atmosphere for students and contains the rigor necessary to prepare students for careers in Media Communication or related fields. Understands the importance of inclusion in the classroom environment. Contributes to the diversity and equity culture of the Department. Able to address issues of race, class, gender, and representation in all of the courses.

Special Job Dimensions: Work performed primarily in an office setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity when entering data into computer. The employee frequently sits for extended periods of time, and occasionally stands and walks. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when focusing on a computer screen. Employee regularly talks and hears. Employee occasionally lifts items up to 50 pounds. Routine work schedule Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm with occasional overtime and travel required

Background Check Requirements. Criminal Background Check and Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) Check.

Salary Information:

$50,000-52,000/year

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, please apply by April 12, 2024.

Recruitment Contact Information:

Human Resources 479-788-7080

To apply, click here.

This institution does not offer benefits to domestic partners.

This institution offers benefits to spouses.

This institution provides the following trans-affirming healthcare coverage:

• Transgender and gender expansive competent mental health support

This institution provides the following support:

• Dependents have the same access to the healthcare described above