Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Director

Texas A&M _ San Antonio•San Antonio, TX

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Sociology and Communication at Texas A&M University–San Antonio is hiring a full-time, tenure-track faculty member, beginning in Fall 2027. The role combines teaching, research, and service with leadership of the award-winning Jaguar Student Media Network (JSMN), a student media enterprise supporting experiential learning in the Communication Program. The successful candidate will teach three undergraduate courses annually (a 2/1 teaching load) and provide strategic vision, administration, and mentorship for the University's student media operations. The University will consider an outstanding candidate at the Assistant Professor rank. The Student Media Director oversees JSMN’s integrated student operations: The Mesquite Online News, El Espejo Magazine, and Enlace Media Lab, which includes Jaguar Radio and the emerging Jaguar Sports Network. These operations give students hands-on experience in journalism, multimedia storytelling, magazine production, broadcasting, podcasting, live production, sports media, and digital content creation. The director supports student learning and professional development while ensuring the outlets operate within university policies and journalistic ethics. Faculty duties include teaching Communication courses, developing a research program that produces tangible outcomes, and contributing service to the program, department, college, university, community, and profession. The director’s duties include operational oversight, strategic planning, compliance and risk management, and collaboration and outreach. The role is based at Texas A&M University–San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. The position is open until filled, with application review beginning within one month of posting.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Communication.
Outstanding research potential.
Demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching.
Professional service experience.
Previous experience as a director of student media or adviser to a student media outlet.
Ability to complete tasks and work cooperatively with others.
Strong self-discipline and ability to work independently.
Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
Ability to interact with students from a range of backgrounds.
Record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and/or professional practice appropriate for appointment at the associate professor rank.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in journalism, digital media, media production, multimedia storytelling, strategic communication, sports media, broadcasting, or a related field.
Commitment to student-centered learning, workforce preparation, experiential education, and community-engaged education.
Outstanding candidacy may be considered for appointment at the Assistant Professor rank.

Responsibilities

Teach the equivalent of 9 course credits per academic year in Communication, including internship and media courses.
Develop a research program at A&M-SA that results in tangible products such as articles, books, or grants.
Provide service at the program, department, college, university, community, and professional levels.
Provide leadership and direction to student media outlets, including digital news, print magazine, internet radio, multimedia production, Jaguar Sports Network, and Jag TV.
Ensure student media operations follow university policies and journalistic ethics.
Serve as a liaison between student media and university administration.
Oversee student media budgets, equipment, and facilities.
Coordinate fundraising, grant writing, and revenue-generation efforts, sometimes with students or university departments.
Coordinate faculty and student travel to contests and media conventions.
Ensure timely publication and provide resources for distributing print, broadcast, and digital content.
Develop long-term strategies for the growth, sustainability, and modernization of student media.
Encourage digital transformation and integration of technologies such as podcasts, social media strategy, mobile platforms, and university-wide streaming.
Ensure student media complies with copyright laws, libel standards, and FCC regulations.
Help mitigate legal or reputational risks by reviewing controversial or sensitive content when needed, without infringing editorial independence.
Build relationships with faculty, university departments, alumni, and external media organizations.
Promote student media work across campus and in the community.
Mentor students and support experiential, community-engaged learning and workforce preparation.