Texas Tech University

LECTURER IN DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION

SUMMARY:

The Department of Journalism & Creative Media Industries (JCMI) within the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University is seeking a Lecturer with broad expertise in digital media production who can help meet core departmental teaching needs in production-related courses across our Journalism and Creative Media Industries programs.

Our department offers undergraduate degrees in both Journalism and Creative Media Industries, with a core set of digital media production skills that correspond to both degrees, along with focused production-related courses within each degree program.  The ideal candidate possesses experience and skills in digital media production and could immediately contribute to our departmental core across both majors as well as other more unique components of our distinct Journalism and Creative Media Industries curricula.  Successful candidates must have demonstrated strengths and professional experience in digital media production, including some combination of, but not limited to, video/digital cinema or film, post-production, studio- or field-based video production, multimedia journalism, digital news production, photography, audio, interactive multimedia, web design, and/or digital games.

The position of Lecturer is a full-time, 9-month, annually renewable non-tenure track position with the possibility for continuing appointment after five years.  The anticipated start date is September 1, 2024, with faculty-on-duty date in mid-August.  The position’s overall duties are allocated between teaching (80%) and service (20%) to the department, college, or university.  This distribution equates to a standard teaching load of four organized courses per semester, with potential opportunities to teach additional courses during summer or intersession semesters for additional compensation.  Teaching assignments may include both face-to-face and online courses.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must have either completed a master’s degree in a Media & Communication (or discipline relevant to the position) or have earned at least 18 graduate credit hours in the area by the date of the appointment.  Candidates with outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the digital media production field may also be eligible and encouraged to apply.

At least three years non-teaching work experience in some combination of the aforementioned areas of digital media production is required.

Successful candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates with a record of teaching excellence at the undergraduate level in a variety of contexts (face-to-face, online, hybrid) and class sizes (large lecture, lecture, and skills-oriented labs) and a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to serving diverse student populations is preferred.

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.

Application Process

Review of applications will begin May 6.  To ensure full consideration, please complete an online application here, and include attached 1) a cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, including link(s) to the candidate’s portfolio of past media production work, 3) a statement on the candidate’s approach to teaching and student success relevant for the position as outlined above, and 4) names of and contact information for at least three professional references. Requisition #37296BR.

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Miglena Sternadori, Search Committee Chair, at .  If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at or 806-742-3851.

About The Department of Journalism & Creative Media Industries

The Department of Journalism & Creative Media Industries (JCMI) emphasizes experiential education opportunities that provide immersive learning environments, leading its approximately 600 students to produce a robust portfolio of content with support from peer, faculty, alumni, and industry mentors. In producing their work, JCMI students are encouraged from their first day in our degree programs to take advantage of opportunities to get busy writing and producing, and plug in to our robust, collaborative content culture.

Made up of 16 full-time faculty, supported by graduate student and part-time faculty from a variety of backgrounds, JCMI offers new faculty and students a diverse slate of teachers, mentors, and collaborators. JCMI faculty are leaders in their respective areas, scholars and practitioners of international stature.

JCMI faculty serve as faculty advisors to a number of student organizations and production opportunities, including the Society for Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, The Daily Toreador, The Hub@TTU, Tech Creative Media Association, KTXT-FM 88.1 The Raider, and Tech Esports, among others. JCMI also fosters close relationships with on-campus partners, such as KTTZ-TV Channel 5 (PBS), KTTZ-FM 89.1 (NPR), and Tech Athletics, as well as four local broadcast news outlets and Lubbock’s daily newspaper, the Avalanche-Journal.

About The College of Media & Communication

The College of Media & Communication (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/) at Texas Tech University serves approximately 2500 students across its undergraduate majors and graduate programs. The college’s enrollment and credit hours have grown consistently for the last seven years; the number of full-time faculty has almost tripled; and the area for facilities has increased more than 40%. CoMC is the #1 rated research unit in the TTU System per the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking). Its private and state grants initiatives have skyrocketed in recent years, achieving its 2025 grants goals in fall 2020. The CoMC Center for Communication Research (CCR) is the country’s premier academic research facility for the study of communication, media processing, and effects. The CCR features labs useful for audience testing, content analysis, surveys, eye-tracking, focus group, and psychophysiology. These research facilities provide a great environment for further advancing an exciting and productive research agenda.

The college maintains high standards for teaching, even as its reputation as a media research center expands. College metrics for student retention and graduation rates are near the top at Texas Tech in many categories. Research strengths among college faculty include Hispanic and international, strategic, science/health, gaming/AI, leadership, interpersonal/organizational, and political communication, as well as social scientific research methods. Affiliates of the Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic & International Communication engage in teaching, research and community outreach related to Hispanic and international/intercultural communication (comc.ttu.edu/research/hihic).

Please visit the college’s website for more information: www.depts.ttu.edu/comc.

About Texas Tech University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School.  The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.

About Lubbock

Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

Texas Tech University

 

Assistant Professor of Practice in Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management
Requisition Number 36768BR                            

Position Description:

The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, Assistant Professor of Practice to begin September 1, 2024.

About the University:

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School.  The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.

About the College:

The College of Media & Communication (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/) at Texas Tech University serves approximately 2,300 undergraduate majors in five departments, 300 M.A. students in three programs, and 35 Ph.D. students. The college’s enrollment and credit hours have grown consistently for the last seven years; the number of full-time faculty has almost tripled; the area for college facilities has increased more than 40%. CoMC is the #1 rated research unit in the TTU system per the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking). Its private and state grants initiatives have skyrocketed in recent years, achieving its 2025 grants goals in fall 2020. It maintains high standards for teaching, even as its reputation as a media research center expands. CoMC metrics for student retention and graduation rates are near the top at Texas Tech in many categories. The college is proud that Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine recently ranked it 19th nationally for graduating Hispanic/Latinx students, and individuals and teams in the college have won awards for their dedication to diversity and inclusion (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/diversity/). Junior faculty hires from top doctoral programs in recent years reflect this ascendance.

In addition to Hispanic and international communication, research strengths among college faculty include strategic, science/health, gaming/AI, leadership, interpersonal/organizational, and political communication as well as social scientific research methods. The college’s Center for Communication Research offers state-of-the-art facilities for studying audience responses to media messages (www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/research/ccr/). The Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic and International Communication studies and offers programs in Hispanic and international/intercultural communication (comc.ttu.edu/research/hihic).

About the Department/School/Area:

The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management (PRSC; https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/programs/publicrelations/) is home to more than 400 undergraduate face-to-face and distance students, with 15 full-time faculty and several adjunct instructors. The department trains students how to manage integrated communication programs, campaigns, and resources to effectively and ethically advocate for the organizations and causes that our students are passionate about. It combines the diverse expertise of both professional and research faculty members to create a rigorous curriculum that develops students’ proficiency in communication, leadership, media relations, global communication, diversity, ethics, data analysis, new technology, critical thinking, and strategic planning so that they are “client ready.”

About Lubbock:

Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

Major/Essential Functions:

At Texas Tech University, the Professor of Practice title is used to recruit individuals with exceptional backgrounds and achievements in academic, business, government, or other professional practice. Primary responsibilities normally will be to teach in an area of expertise, mentor students in professional and career preparation, and liaise with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program.

In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with diverse student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

Required Qualifications:

1. A master’s degree in public relations, strategic communication, or a related field, or a combination of work experience and the required number of graduate-level credit hours (18) to teach undergraduate courses in the state of Texas.
2. Professional experience in applied strategic communication settings.
3. Demonstrated commitment to maintaining professional currency.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

1. 10+ years of professional experience in applied strategic communication settings.
2. Experience teaching at the university level in public relations, social media, and/or strategic communication, and/or experience teaching in industry settings.
3. Experience mentoring undergraduate student groups.
4. Experience establishing industry-academic partnerships.

Safety Information:

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include the following documents in your application:

1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Work samples or link to online portfolio
4. Other document(s) directly related to required qualifications
5. List of references

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Ioana Coman, Search Committee Chair, at , or 806-834-0936. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at or 806-742-3851.

Application Process

The deadline to submit applications is on March 31, 2024.

To ensure full consideration, please complete an online application at: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25898&siteid=5637#home

Requisition # 36768BR