Western Kentucky University

Assistant or Associate Professor in Journalism

About Western Kentucky University:

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,035 students (29% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority) and just over 2,500 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community to embrace diversity by building equitable and inclusive learning, working, and living environments. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our diverse and evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU’s main campus is in Bowling Green, KY – a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU’s strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about.

Job Description:

The nationally recognized School of Media & Communication at Western Kentucky University is seeking a full-time, nine-month, tenure-eligible appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor of Journalism. The successful candidate will be a reporter adept at storytelling with both traditional and cutting-edge technologies, will have experience in reporting for print and/or digital platforms, and will teach a variety of courses within the journalism major and core courses in the School of Media & Communication.

The school’s reputation for excellence and tradition of success continue to attract outstanding faculty and top students from throughout the nation.

We seek a professional writer/reporter who understands the importance of cross-platform storytelling and who is excited to work with our faculty, students and staff to fulfill the School of Media & Communication’s mission of preparing students for careers in a changing media environment. Employment begins in August 2025.

The journalism major is a diverse degree with writing and editing at its core. Students also take foundational courses in visual news presentation and software applications. It develops students well-versed in technical, editorial and professional functions of traditional news reporting as well as its modern successors. The major produces an award-winning website that features work produced by students in the major’s upper-division courses.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Serve as department coordinator for the journalism program, scheduling classes and managing workloads
• Teach courses in introductory news writing, intermediate and advanced reporting, feature writing and multiplatform news editing
• Teach one or two of the school’s core courses per year, such as SMC 101 Understanding Media, SMC 102 Media Collaboration and SMC 310 Media Diversity
• Develop and update curriculum to reflect current industry trends and emerging technologies
• Maintain an active agenda of research or professional work, contributing to the field through publications, presentations or creative projects
• Advise and mentor students on academic and career-related issues
• Participate in departmental activities, including curriculum planning, student recruitment and community outreach
• Contribute service to the school, college, university and discipline

Requirements:

• Master’s degree or a terminal degree (MA/MFA/PhD) appropriate to the appointment
• Minimum of five years of professional reporting media experience
• Record of exceptional teaching and service in a professional and/or university setting
• Ability to foster an inclusive teaching, learning, mentoring, departmental and research environment where all can thrive

Additional Information:

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Institutional Equity. To request an accommodation, report a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Ms. Ena Demir, Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator via email at  or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Ms. Demir is also responsible for coordinating the University’s response to complaints related to sex and gender harassment. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU’s https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

For information related to job postings, please email .

Application Instructions:

The following items must be submitted through this electronic talent management system by January 20, 2025, although expressions of interest may be considered until the position is filled:

• Letter of Intent
• Curriculum Vita
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy

Names and contact information of three reference providers will be collected during the application process. Reference letters will be requested by the Search Committee through an online process at a later date.

You will receive email confirmation once you have successfully completed the application process.

Quicklink to apply: https://wku.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp;jsessionid=7BC4351688F04708B422578D6B722F29?JOBID=182994