Location : West Chester University, PA
Job Type: Regular / Full-Time
Job Number: 25-02
Department: College of Arts & Humanities
Division: Communication Studies
Opening Date: 08/06/2024
Position Summary

Join a vibrant equity-minded campus community whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. The Department of Communication and Media invites applicants for a Full-time, 9-month, Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor of Communication and Media position. The position begins in August 2025.

West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good .

The Department of Communication and Media, part of the College of Arts and Humanities, values faculty who combine excellent teaching with active scholarship and a commitment to student success, diversity, and ethical communication. We seek teacher-scholars who are committed to student interaction and who will contribute to our valued collegial atmosphere.

The faculty position involves teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Media and Culture with emphasis in media technologies and production. Teaching may be offered in-person or online in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. The ideal candidate will use innovative teaching skills and demonstrate attention to the learning and teaching needs of the department's students. The candidate's experience, expertise, and specialized training will serve to strengthen the department's efforts. The faculty member will collaborate with other departmental faculty and staff to ensure student success.

Responsibilities include :

• Teach a variety of undergraduate and/or graduate level courses in the Media and Culture program. Emphasis on Media Technologies and Production. Additional courses within area of specialization may be assigned based on departmental needs
• Contribute to curriculum and curriculum development in the Media and Culture program
• Mentor and advise students
• Engage in scholarship that includes research, scholarly, and/or creative activities. This is necessary for tenure and promotion
• Serve the University and the community through participation in various committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Communication Media, Media, Media Studies, or a closely related field/discipline. ABD may be considered but must be completed on or before August 2025
• Possesses experience and expertise in emerging media and technology
• Demonstrated ability to teach Media & Culture core courses including media technologies and production
• Ability to develop Media & Culture course curriculum to include media technologies and production
• Articulate a scholarly agenda that complements department needs
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in writing & verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience in media production and/or media technologies; and/or
• Experience using media production software and studio equipment such as Adobe Creative Suite; and/or
• Experience with digital media analytics

Special Instructions

Apply online at Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants must successfully complete the application and interview process to be considered as a finalist.

Required Documents for Consideration
To be considered as an applicant for this position, please submit the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcripts (Required for finalist - will be notified)
• List of three references (Include name, email address, and phone number for each reference)
• Diversity Statement (See below)

Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion:
West Chester University has joined EAB's Moon Shot initiative for Equity in Higher education. This initiative is designed to support faculty, students, and staff who are typically excluded and therefore are underrepresented. As part of your application for a tenure-track faculty position, we request a Diversity Statement. This request highlights our department's commitment to promote diversity and inclusiveness and to cultivate a campus environment that welcomes all. This commitment reflects the Diversity Theme of West Chester University's Strategic Plan and supports initiatives of our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (WCU Diversity Equity Inclusion). We expect that each applicant's statement will be unique as informed by their own experiences and goals. Some topics you might address in a 1-2-page statement include the following: (1) How have you supported diversity and inclusion in your interactions with others in classroom, clinical, or therapy setting, or research environment(s)? (2) What have you done to help students from diverse communities (such as underrepresented minorities, non-traditional, LGBTQ, veteran, rural, and/or first generation) succeed, including any programs for these students that you have participated in? (3) Describe your commitment to working toward achieving equity and enhancing diversity at WCU. How might you contribute to our current diversity initiatives, and do you have any other ideas to help promote equity on our campus?

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment background checks.

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU's educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
WCU proudly offers comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance, generous retirement plans, many wellness programs, a tuition waiver for self and family members, and training, development and advancement opportunities.

• On the first working day, new employees are eligible to enroll in medical, prescription, dental and vision benefit plans. Medical and prescription drug coverage includes PPO health, prescription drug, and hearing coverage.
• Dental and vision coverage is offered at no cost to employees.

• The Healthy U Wellness program rewards participants with reduced health care premiums and provides tools and resources to maintain good health.
• Flexible spending accounts allow employees to withhold income from their paychecks before taxes for reimbursement of approved medical and dependent care expenses.
• A University mission to support employee personal and professional growth.
• PASSHE tuition waiver lowers the cost of college expenses.
• Leave and time-off benefits include generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays.
• Choice of two group retirement plans with generous employer contributions.
• Voluntary retirement plans offer two additional options to save and invest money for retirement and are available to all employees upon their date of hire.
• Group life insurance is provided at no cost to all permanent employees.
• Voluntary long-term disability insurance (LTD) and voluntary group life and personal accident insurance (VGLIP/AD&D) are available to employees.
• State Employee Assistance Program (SEAP) provides a wide range of free services including counseling, legal, and financial services.

The employee group for this position is Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF).

For additional benefit details please see the PASSHE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PAGE .
Theinformation is provided for general purposes only. Legal Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies that may arise. Benefits, benefit levels, and eligibility rules are subject to change. The benefits described are available to most employees; however, certain eligibility requirements must be met.
01

Do you possess a doctoral degree in a field closely related to Communication and Media?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess an MFA, MA, or ABD in a field related to Communication and Media?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have the experience teaching Media Technology and/or Media Production related courses?

• Yes
• No

Required Question