University of Arizona

Director, School of Journalism (UPDATED)

Tucson, AZ, United States

req20792

Apply Now: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/20792?c=arizona&sq=Req20792

Director, School of Journalism (UPDATED)

Posting Number: req20792

Department: Journalism

Department Website Link:

Location: Main Campus

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights: Note: The contact for applicants has been updated.

The Director of the School of Journalism will work to advance and strengthen the professional and research ambitions that are central to the school’s mission. That mission is based on three fundamental ideas: (1) Journalists fulfill a crucial role in a democracy, providing the public with independent and accurate information about issues and events so citizens can make informed judgments about policy and policy makers. (2) Information provided by the news media forms the foundation for much of the research in other fields, such as history and political science. (3) Ongoing research informs the field and the practice and is a critical aspect of the future of journalism and public understanding of the changing dimensions of the field and where news media, other media and more broadly, information ecosystems, are situated in democratic systems.

The school director administers the School of Journalism in collaboration with the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The director is expected to attract, mentor and retain faculty of the highest quality; expand and broaden the school’s research activities and advance its funding and reputation; foster public engagement and outreach, and maintain and support educational programs that provide undergraduate and graduate students with the essential skills and values to meet the challenges – and obligations — that journalists and researchers in journalism face in serving an inclusive and increasingly globally-connected world in a time of ever-changing technology.

The director, who reports to the SBS Dean, manages personnel, budgeting, scheduling, curriculum, and program assessment reviews, including university and national level accreditation. The director also advocates for the program within the College, across campus and before local, state and national audiences. The school director leads, oversees, administers, and advances the school’s overarching vision for instruction, research, and service and outreach responsibilities.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities: Internal management, oversight and evaluation of:

  • Enrollment, curriculum, and instructional materials
  • In-person and online delivery of curriculum
  • Personnel hiring, professional growth and promotion, review and evaluation
  • Program budgets
  • Student concerns, complaints, grade authorizations and appeals
  • Strategic planning, reporting, research and assessment
  • Internal communications with students, faculty and staff
  • External communications with alumni, donors and friends of the school
  • Advocacy for the School of Journalism within SBS and among other UA departments, offices, and units, as well as among external audiences
  • Advocacy for the various programs within the School of Journalism, including science/environmental reporting and public affairs, bilingual journalism, broadcasting, global media studies, and innovations in journalism and journalism education

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  • Effective leadership and organizational skills, including a commitment to inclusion in representation in management and supervisory practices
  • Knowledge of the evolving landscape of journalism, journalistic platforms and journalism studies in the age of artificial intelligence
  • A commitment to the enduring values of journalism, press freedom and freedom of information
  • Familiarity with best practices for assessment and scholarship
  • Strong organizational abilities and constructive problem-solving skills
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills, including fluency in social media
  • Strong computer, research, data management, and program development/assessment skills
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, including an ability to foster effective collaborative relationships with colleagues and organizations on and off campus
  • Ability to network with professional media institutions and organizations to support journalistic values and encourage learning and internship opportunities for students
  • Familiarity with the constantly evolving skills and abilities required of journalism and journalists in the age of artificial intelligence and digital media

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Record commensurate with appointment as a tenured Full Professor with the School of Journalism
  • Ph.D. in the social sciences, humanities, or related disciplines
  • Classroom experience teaching journalism, journalism studies or related subjects
  • Experience managing or administering a program or project
  • Experience and competence in working with an inclusive population
  • Experience in pursuing fundraising and grants to supplement revenue streams for school programs and research
  • Experience in managing university and national level accreditation and program reviews.
  • Experience in community engagement and outreach

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least three (3) years’ supervisory/administrative experience in journalism or related field
  • At least five (5) years’ experience teaching in journalism or related field
  • Professional journalism experience
  • Demonstrated experience with shared governance
  • Demonstrated excellence in critical thinking and using formal and informal data sources to inform, direct, and evaluate processes, programs, and personnel
  • Experience proposing and managing budgets
  • Experience recruiting an inclusive and distinguished faculty that consists of both journalistic professionals and academically strong tenure-track researchers
  • Experience networking with regional, national, and/or global organizations engaged in journalism and journalism education

Rank: Professor

Tenure Information: Tenured (T)

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Academic

Job Category: Academic Administration

Benefits Eligible: Yes – Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: DOE

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Target Hire Date:

Expected End Date:

Contact Information for Candidates: Mitra Christian

Open Date: 10/21/2024

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant:

Diversity Statement: At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at .

About Kyshia Brown