Director of Professional Graduate Studies - Professor of the Practice
Position Overview
The William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas (KU) is seeking an innovative and experienced leader to serve as Director of Professional Graduate Studies and Professor of the Practice(Open Rank). The Director will manage our online master’s program in Digital and Integrated Marketing Communications (DIMC) overseeing all aspects of the program including curriculum innovation, recruitment and professional engagements. A signature online degree program of KU’s Jayhawk Global, DIMC has been named one of the Best Online Marketing Master’s Degrees of 2024 by Forbes. In particular, we are looking for a creative and dynamic thinker who will shepherd the School’s continued growth in professional graduate education and elevate it to the next level.
If you are looking for a rewarding and dynamic career, look no farther than the University of Kansas. In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational opportunities for employees. KU is a great place to work!
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 27,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs that include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science disciplines. At KU we make it our mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. We aspire to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each other and advances society. KU’s strategic plan Jayhawks Rising is focused on objectives to accomplish this vision through three mission-based priorities of student success, healthy and vibrant communities, research, and discovery. KU’s research residential campus is in the center of a vibrant and culturally-rich community, a quintessential college town. Visitors, students and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, various local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history. Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theatre venues, and professional sports teams.
If you are looking for a rewarding and dynamic career, look no farther than the University of Kansas. In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational opportunities for employees. KU is a great place to work!
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 27,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs that include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science disciplines. At KU we make it our mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. We aspire to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each other and advances society. KU’s strategic plan Jayhawks Rising is focused on objectives to accomplish this vision through three mission-based priorities of student success, healthy and vibrant communities, research, and discovery. KU’s research residential campus is in the center of a vibrant and culturally-rich community, a quintessential college town. Visitors, students and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, various local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history. Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theatre venues, and professional sports teams.
Job Description
This position comes with a teaching load of 3-4 courses per year as part of the Professor of the Practice role. Applicants who demonstrate scholarly/creative works in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: digital marketing communications, social media strategy, data analytics, emergent media practices, public relations and/or audience engagements. You will have colleagues who share your excitement about working with students, discovering and testing media developments for the future, and are eager to create new ways to understand and engage audiences.
This is a full-time, 12-month career/specialty faculty position to begin August 18, 2025. This position is limited term and may be appointed for up to an initial three-year period with an opportunity for extension/renewal after a comprehensive review. Successful applicants will have a Master's degree in journalism, mass communication, marketing communications, information science or a related field. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
60% Administration/Service:
40% Teaching:
This is a full-time, 12-month career/specialty faculty position to begin August 18, 2025. This position is limited term and may be appointed for up to an initial three-year period with an opportunity for extension/renewal after a comprehensive review. Successful applicants will have a Master's degree in journalism, mass communication, marketing communications, information science or a related field. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
60% Administration/Service:
- Serve as the central source of professional graduate information within the School
- Coordinate recruitment activities for professional graduate programs
- Coordinate course scheduling for professional graduate programs
- Identify and develop new opportunities for cutting-edge professional education and professional upskilling (degree/certificate programs or non-degree professional development workshops)
- Work with graduate faculty, professionals, and the Professional Graduate Program Advisory Board for curriculum innovation
- Serve as the primary liaison between the School’s professional graduate education and the University’s Office of Graduate Studies
- Participate in the regular academic activities of the School, including committee assignments and major School functions
- Engage in professional service in academic, professional and/or media organizations
40% Teaching:
- Teach 3-4 courses a year in undergraduate and/or graduate programs, in-person and/or virtually, based upon needs of the School
- Contribute to curriculum innovation and development
- Hold regular office hours
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of research/creative work and teaching in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity included in CV and (3) information provided from three professional references.
- A master's degree in journalism, mass communication, marketing communications, information science or a related field
- Rank of position will be determined based upon years of qualified professional experience in digital marketing communications, social media strategy, data analytics, emergent media practices, public relations and/or audience engagements, or related fields:
- Assistant Professor of the Practice: 3 - 5 years
- Associate Professor of the Practice: 6 - 15 years
- Professor of the Practice: 16+ years
- Evidence that demonstrates the ability to teach multiple courses in digital marketing communications, emerging media or related areas
- A record of strong connections to digital marketing communications or emerging media professionals/professional organizations
Additional Candidate Instructions
Only complete application packages submitted online will be considered. A complete online application will include:
To ensure consideration, apply before the application review date. Please direct questions to journalismsearch@ku.edu.
The School is currently seeking applicants for both Director/Professor of the Practice and Director/Tenured Professor roles. However, please note that there will ultimately only be a hire for one of these roles. The decision will be based on the qualifications and fit of the applicants, ensuring selection of the best candidate to meet the School's needs. Please find the job posting links below:
- A cover letter/letter of application addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
- Curriculum vitae.
- A list of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number)
To ensure consideration, apply before the application review date. Please direct questions to journalismsearch@ku.edu.
The School is currently seeking applicants for both Director/Professor of the Practice and Director/Tenured Professor roles. However, please note that there will ultimately only be a hire for one of these roles. The decision will be based on the qualifications and fit of the applicants, ensuring selection of the best candidate to meet the School's needs. Please find the job posting links below:
- Director/Professor of the Practice - http://www.employment.ku.edu/academic/28792BR
- Director/Tenured Professor - http://www.employment.ku.edu/academic/28794BR
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Contact Information to Applicants
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Tuesday October 1, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 18, 2025