The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Denver offers students a robust understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society. With its emphasis on developing strong communication skills across various platforms and its grounding in the critical evaluation of media practices, the department’s offerings prepare students for the pursuit of excellence in the constantly evolving media, film, strategic communication, and journalism professions. The Department offers undergraduates degrees in film studies and production, journalism studies, media studies, and strategic communication (public relations). At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Arts in media and public communication (strategic communication or media and globalization emphasis) and a Master of Arts in international and intercultural communication.

Position Summary

The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies invites applications for a six-month appointment as the Wolzien Visiting Professor of the Practice in Research Informed Communication. The person hired in this position will teach three courses over two quarters (January to June 2025) at the University of Denver. The department seeks an accomplished journalist, strategic communication professional, or a distinguished faculty member from a nationally known university program in media, strategic communication, or journalism who has broad professional experience in research-based communication. Also critical is a commitment to championing inclusion, diversity, access, innovation, research, and public engagement. Professionals from a range of backgrounds with practical knowledge of researched-based public communication are encouraged to apply. Typically, the Visiting Professor would be expected to take a leave from their daily work duties and devote themselves to teaching, mentoring, and being involved in the DU community. However, applicants who have ongoing “projects” involving journalism or other professional work that would inform their teaching and who would be willing to involve students in their projects are strongly encouraged to apply. Prior teaching experience at the college level is not required.

The expectation is that the successful candidate will keep travel to a minimum, spending the bulk of their time in residence at DU. Visiting Professors are considered full-time faculty who are on campus most of the time, attend faculty gatherings, attend University events, and participate in intellectual and social life at DU.

The Visiting Professor fund will cover the costs of a graduate assistant with the necessary experience to help with teaching and/or research.

Essential Functions

The successful candidate will teach three face-to-face in person courses over two quarters during the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Visiting Professor will interact with MFJS undergraduate and graduate students through critiques of student work, guest visits to classes, and by serving as a career mentor to students.

The Visiting Professor will supervise student experiential learning projects involving research informed communication in their courses.

The Visiting Professor will give two public lectures, one per quarter, either focusing on their work, the state of their industry, or another important topic related to their area of expertise.

The Visiting Professor will interact with University faculty from other disciplines and may guest lecture in other units, as determined by their areas of expertise.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience as an accomplished journalist, strategic communication professional, or a distinguished faculty member from a nationally-known university program in media, strategic communication, or journalism who has broad professional experience in research-based communication.
• Ability to teach two in person, face-to-face courses in one of the following specialties:
  • Multimedia Journalism
  • Data Journalism
  • Strategic Communication Seminar
  • Strategic Messaging
  • Advanced Multimedia Story Telling, etc.
• Ability to teach one in person, face-to-face general course, open to all DU undergraduates. Preferred candidates will be able to teach a class in areas including, but not limited to:
  • Data analytics
  • Statistical analysis
  • Audience research methods
  • Historical research
  • Archival research
  • Public records research
  • Financial records reporting
  • Health information communication
  • In-depth investigative techniques/focus groups
  • Or other areas dedicated to communicating information gathered via in-depth research
• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse student and community populations.
• Ability to teach two public lectures.
• Willingness to interact with students and faculty as an in-person professor of the practice.

Required Qualifications

• BA or similar four-year undergraduate degree and significant professional experience
• Significant professional experience in area of expertise

Preferred Qualifications

• National recognition as a leader in area of expertise

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar).

Statement of Other Duties Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 1st, 2024.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade:

The salary grade for this position is UC.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $50,000-$60,000

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Letter of Interest that describes teaching interests and other qualifications, including a statement about the significance of the candidate’s work (2 pages maximum)
2. Curriculum Vitae/resume
3. Teaching Philosophy (2 pages maximum)
4. List of sample courses the candidate could teach to MFJS students and a “research-based communication” course open to non-majors
5. Names and contact information for three professional references that the committee can contact
6. DEI statement outlining the candidate’s commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment (1 page maximum; please see the CAHSS DEI strategic plan here.)

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.