Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Director

Texas A&M University System•San Antonio, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Sociology and Communication at Texas A&M University-San Antonio invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Director, beginning in Fall 2027. This position combines faculty responsibilities with leadership of the University's award-winning Jaguar Student Media Network (JSMN), a comprehensive student media enterprise that serves as a cornerstone of experiential learning in the Communication Program. The successful candidate will teach three undergraduate courses annually (2/1 teaching load) and provide strategic vision, administration, and mentorship for the University's student media operations. We seek an accomplished teacher-scholar and media leader with expertise in journalism, digital media, media production, multimedia storytelling, strategic communication, sports media, broadcasting, or a related field. Candidates should demonstrate a record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and/or professional practice appropriate for appointment at the rank of associate professor. The successful candidate will be committed to student-centered learning, workforce preparation, and advancing opportunities for experiential and community-engaged education.

Requirements

A Ph.D. in Communication is required.
Outstanding research potential.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the university level, professional service.
Previous experience serving as director of student media or adviser to a student media outlet is required.

Nice To Haves

We will consider hiring someone at the Assistant Professor rank if they are an outstanding candidate.

Responsibilities

Teach the equivalent of 9 course credits per academic year (2/1 teaching load) in Communication including internship and media courses.
Develop a research program at A&M-SA that results in tangible products (articles, books, grants, etc.).
As part of an involved Communication Program team, provide service at the program, department, college, university, community, and profession levels.
Provide leadership direction to multiple student media outlets (e.g., Digital News, Print Magazine, Internet Radio, Multimedia Production, Jaguar Sports Network, and Jag TV).
Ensure that all student media operate within university policies and journalistic ethics.
Serve as a liaison between student media and university administration.
Oversee budgets, equipment, and facilities for student media.
Coordinate fundraising, grant writing, and revenue-generation efforts (sometimes in conjunction with students or university departments).
Coordinate Faculty and Student Travel for student contests and media conventions.
Ensure timely publication and resourcing to ensure distribution of content (print, broadcast, digital).
Develop long-term strategies for growth, sustainability, and modernization of student media.
Encourage digital transformation and integration of new technologies (e.g., 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, departments (e.g., journalism, communications), alumni, and external media organizations.
Promote student media work across campus and in the community.