Assistant/Associate Professor - Communication, Journalism and Media

The Department of Communication, Journalism and Media, an ACEJMC-accredited program, is seeking candidates with broad expertise in multimedia production, visual media, and generative AI tools, who can help meet core departmental teaching needs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the position of Assistant/Associate Professor of Communication, Journalism and Media, effective August 2027.

The ideal candidate must have work/practical experience with broadcast media production and/or digital media tools, and visual storytelling. The selected candidate will be expected to teach courses such as Basic Media Production, Digital Photography, Media Field Production, Media Studio Production, Documentary Storytelling and core courses across the curriculum such as media writing and media literacy. The department is seeking a candidate who can also offer new and innovative courses, especially in areas such as emerging media technologies and Generative AI-assisted mass communication.

Successful candidates must have teaching experience and/or significant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: video editing, post-production, digital photography, social/digital video storytelling, and AI-enhanced media workflows. Prior teaching and/or research experience in any of these areas is a plus.

The anticipated start date is August 2027. Shippensburg is a teaching-focused institution, and the teaching load is expected to be 4/4 (four courses per semester), with potential opportunities to teach special topic courses during summer or winter terms for additional compensation. Teaching assignments may include both face-to-face and online courses. Part of the teaching load may include advising student media such as SUTV.

We seek collegial faculty who value and create transformative teaching and learning environments, and who can make positive contributions in service, outreach, and engagement. The successful applicant will exhibit a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching courses in our curriculum. In addition, we expect the candidate to take an active role in the department by pursuing professional, creative, and/or scholarly activity; developing new curricula; advising students; serving on departmental and university committees; and assisting student media organizations.

Requirements for the on-campus interview include a presentation of recent research and/or a professional portfolio, a teaching demonstration, and evidence of a commitment to understanding diverse populations. We strive to enhance the diversity of our department and the university community, and encourage applicants who exemplify multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary, and global perspectives.

Candidates must have completed a master’s degree in media and communication or a related field. They also must have some experience working in a relevant area with practical knowledge of one or more of the following: broadcast/media production, multimedia journalism, visual media, and emerging communication technologies such as AI. The ideal candidate must be comfortable using Adobe CC software (Premiere, Audition, After Effects, InDesign, Photoshop).

As part of a successful on-campus interview process, candidates will be expected to provide a demonstration of teaching effectiveness and evidence of understanding diverse populations. A terminal degree from an accredited institution is required for tenure and promotion.

Professor of Practice Required Qualifications:

Significant current experience with an understanding of trends and changes occurring in media industries to position students to be well-prepared applicants for competitive broadcast, visual media, and digital positions. Candidates with strong professional-level understanding of media industries and demonstrable skills in Adobe CC or similar software, as well as current knowledge of one or more of the following, are encouraged to apply: digital videography, digital photography, visual storytelling practices, and multimedia content creation.

A doctorate (Ph.D.) in Media and Communication or a related field. Candidates with a record of teaching excellence at the undergraduate level in a variety of contexts (face-to-face, online, hybrid) and a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to serving diverse student populations are preferred.

Applications received by October 6, 2026, will be given full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check as well as sufficient course enrollment and budget allocations.

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer and, in compliance with federal and state laws and university policy, is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, or sex. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

All university employees are required to comply with university policies, state and federal laws/statutes prohibiting any type of Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation.

The university provides additional opportunities and scholarship support through summer and winter term online/on-campus teaching and through the Center for Excellence in Scholarship and Teaching (http://www.ship.edu/CFEST/Grants/Overview).

Founded in 1871 as the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, Shippensburg University is a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Shippensburg University is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), and faculty across its 14 campuses are represented by APSCUF under a statewide collective bargaining agreement.

Shippensburg values its small community atmosphere, as is evident in its student-faculty ratio and average class size. All skills-based courses in the communication, journalism and media department are capped at 20 per ACEJMC accreditation requirements. Personalized attention is key to both the success of our students and our academic programs. The campus is in the center of the East Coast’s major metropolitan areas, making Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York accessible options for students to visit and complete internships