Director of Professional Graduate Studies - Professor of the Practice
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
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- Position Type
- Tenured & Tenure-Track
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
If you are looking for a rewarding and dynamic career, look no farther than the University of Kansas. In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 9 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational opportunities for employees. KU is a great place to work!
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 27,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs that include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science disciplines. At KU we make it our mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. We aspire to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each other and advances society. KU’s strategic plan Jayhawks Rising is focused on objectives to accomplish this vision through three mission-based priorities of student success, healthy and vibrant communities, research, and discovery. KU’s research residential campus is in the center of a vibrant and culturally-rich community, a quintessential college town. Visitors, students and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, various local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history. Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theatre venues, and professional sports teams.Job DescriptionThis position comes with a teaching load of 3-4 courses per year as part of the Professor of the Practice role. Applicants who demonstrate scholarly/creative works in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: digital marketing communications, social media strategy, data analytics, emergent media practices, public relations and/or audience engagements. You will have colleagues who share your excitement about working with students, discovering and testing media developments for the future, and are eager to create new ways to understand and engage audiences.
This is a full-time, 12-month career/specialty faculty position to begin August 18, 2025. This position is limited term and may be appointed for up to an initial three-year period with an opportunity for extension/renewal after a comprehensive review. Successful applicants will have a Master's degree in journalism, mass communication, marketing communications, information science or a related field. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
60% Administration/Service:
- Serve as the central source of professional graduate information within the School
- Coordinate recruitment activities for professional graduate programs
- Coordinate course scheduling for professional graduate programs
- Identify and develop new opportunities for cutting-edge professional education and professional upskilling (degree/certificate programs or non-degree professional development workshops)
- Work with graduate faculty, professionals, and the Professional Graduate Program Advisory Board for curriculum innovation
- Serve as the primary liaison between the School’s professional graduate education and the University’s Office of Graduate Studies
- Participate in the regular academic activities of the School, including committee assignments and major School functions
- Engage in professional service in academic, professional and/or media organizations
40% Teaching:
- Teach 3-4 courses a year in undergraduate and/or graduate programs, in-person and/or virtually, based upon needs of the School
- Contribute to curriculum innovation and development
- Hold regular office hours
- A master's degree in journalism, mass communication, marketing communications, information science or a related field
- Rank of position will be determined based upon years of qualified professional experience in digital marketing communications, social media strategy, data analytics, emergent media practices, public relations and/or audience engagements, or related fields:
- Assistant Professor of the Practice: 3 - 5 years
- Associate Professor of the Practice: 6 - 15 years
- Professor of the Practice: 16+ years
- Evidence that demonstrates the ability to teach multiple courses in digital marketing communications, emerging media or related areas
- A record of strong connections to digital marketing communications or emerging media professionals/professional organizations
- A cover letter/letter of application addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
- Curriculum vitae.
- A list of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number)
To ensure consideration, apply before the application review date. Please direct questions to journalismsearch@ku.edu.
The School is currently seeking applicants for both Director/Professor of the Practice and Director/Tenured Professor roles. However, please note that there will ultimately only be a hire for one of these roles. The decision will be based on the qualifications and fit of the applicants, ensuring selection of the best candidate to meet the School's needs. Please find the job posting links below:
- Director/Professor of the Practice - http://www.employment.ku.edu/academic/28792BRDirector/Tenured Professor - http://www.employment.ku.edu/academic/28794BR
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The University of Kansas is committed to a learning and workplace environment that is representative of our nation and global society, accepts and values everyone, appreciates our common humanity and understands that our multiple differences are the cornerstone of academic preparation, professional excellence and distinction. KU must be a place where all people feel they belong and have access to resources and support that help them attain their educational and professional goals.
We recognize there are inequalities and privileges generated by historical and persistent intersecting differences by race, ethnicity, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, abilities, religion, regional background, veteran status, citizenship status and nationality. And we hold ourselves accountable for policies, processes and programs that appreciate these and other differences and create more fair, safe and just learning, working and living environments for KU students, faculty and staff.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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