Hood College

Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Digital Media

Under the general direction of the Department Chair, the Hood College Department of English and Communication Arts invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in digital media to begin August 2025. We seek an engaged teacher/scholar who can work collaboratively with the Delaplaine School of Business and other departments and programs within the college. Candidates with prior teaching experience at the college/university level may be considered for an abbreviated tenure and promotion timeline. The successful candidate will teach courses that support Communication Arts and Integrated Marketing Communication majors, as well as have the opportunity to apply their interests toward interdisciplinary teaching in support of the honors program, core curriculum, and first-year students.

The department seeks a teacher/scholar of digital communication. This position will enhance the department’s curricular offerings that focus on the use of video and audio communication formats across emerging media practices. The successful candidate will help determine and implement new technological tools ranging from cameras to audio recording equipment to graphics software and production facilities including the use of the broadcasting studios within the Delaplaine Foundation Multimedia Center. The position will contribute to existing courses in multimedia production and broadcast reporting and help develop new courses focused on digital media, such as digital filmmaking, motion graphics, data visualization, digital marketing, sports marketing, digital branding and communication, and other courses to meet the needs of a growing program and diverse student population. The position also will contribute to the Hood’s Honors Curriculum and general education requirements including our innovative core curriculum. Candidates with experience in broadcast media, social media, sports media, personal branding, and data visualization are especially encouraged.

In addition to pursuing excellence in teaching, the successful candidate will mentor and advise undergraduate majors and minors in both curricular and professional matters. Beyond their work with students, the candidate must show initiative in service to the department, the college, and broader communities. The candidate must also demonstrate a strong commitment to scholarship and its classroom applications.

Essential Duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Help develop a curriculum related to digital media and emerging platforms
• Help develop a curriculum related to sports communication and marketing
• Mentor students through academic advising, internship placement and advising, and faculty and student research collaboration
• Contribute to the regular functioning of the department through committee work, participation in departmental extracurricular activities, and pursuing the goals outlined in the department’s strategic plan
• Pursue a scholarly agenda and engage in other professional activities
• Serve the college through committee work, the development of new student learning opportunities, and the enrichment of campus-community partnerships

Teaching Load: 4/3 course load per academic year to include courses serving the undergraduate majors of Communication Arts and Integrated Marketing Communication in addition to the journalism and public relations minors.

Sample courses:

• Media & Society
• Broadcast Writing
• Writing for Business
• Senior Portfolio
• Media Writing I
• Speech
• Digital Filmmaking
• Data Visualization
• Digital Marketing

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across campus in support of Hood College’s mission as a student-centered, liberal arts institution.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

• Strong commitment to teaching in a liberal arts setting. Must be someone who is passionate about high-impact learning experiences.
• A terminal degree in journalism, communication, marketing or a related field.
• Professional experience in digital media applications in journalism, public relations, film production, marketing, sports or mass communication.
• A record of effective teaching.
• Demonstrated potential for research and a clear research agenda.
• Ability to teach courses in digital media, media writing, broadcast writing, digital filmmaking and data visualization.

Preferred Skills and Characteristics

• Professional experience producing, directing or working on narrative, documentary or entertainment visual projects or marketing.
• Professional experience in digital media including animation, graphics and data visualization.
• Professional experience in broadcasting or digital marketing.
• Teaching undergraduate media production courses.
• Demonstrated potential to teach undergraduate students in at least one of the following digital storytelling specialty areas: multimedia, video, audio, social media, augmented reality, virtual reality, data, artificial intelligence, 360 video, immersive reporting, and/or other emerging platforms.
• Proficiency with modern web design, including CSS and JavaScript are highly encouraged
• PhD preferred

Technology Skills

Candidates must be familiar and comfortable with the technologies used routinely in the academic world today, including but not limited to classroom presentation software, course and information management systems, communications and social media, and online research tools. Fluency in digital media, including the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Audition, and Premiere Pro are required elements of the technical curriculum) with the ability to enhance the department’s presence online and mentor students in digital communications, is required.

Language Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to effectively provide information and positively respond to questions from both external and internal customers both in person and by phone. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Mathematical Skills

Proficient with statistical and financial concepts. Must have the ability to apply those concepts to tracking, projections, goal setting and interpreting reports. Must be able to draw conclusions from reports and make cost effective decisions regarding programs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a number of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to work independently and as a member of a group in developing and executing project plans. Ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use fingers, hands, reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is required to sit. The employee may occasionally be required to stand and lift and move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of what an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level is usually moderate, and could include interaction with other employees, students, the public, telephones, and other office equipment.

To Apply

We invite candidates to apply online via our electronic application by submitting the following materials:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement on teaching and research statement
• Sample of student evaluations
• Professional portfolio samples
• If selected for an interview, the candidate will also be asked to provide letters from three people knowledgeable of the candidate’s teaching and research.

For fullest consideration, apply by. Jan. 1, 2025

If you need assistance with the online application process, please email or call (301) 696-3592.

Hood College is committed to diversity in its faculty and staff and subscribes to a policy of hiring only individuals legally eligible to work in the United States. EOE/AAP/M/F/Vet/Disability Employer

Hood College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion, or age in recruitment, admission and access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs, services, benefits, or activities as required by applicable laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and students. Inquiries about discrimination or reasonable accommodation should be referred to the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator at Alumnae Hall, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD. 21701 (AD 312), (301) 696-3592. For complete information on Hood College’s nondiscrimination policy, please visit http://www.hood.edu/non-discrimination/.