Professor and Chair, Dept. of Communication, Culture and Media Studies

Professor and Chair
Department of Communication, Culture and Media Studies
Howard University

Description
The Department of Communication, Culture and Media Studies (CCMS) at Howard University seeks an energetic leader of vision to serve as chair of this doctoral-level department. The chair is responsible for managing the day-to-day administration of this dynamic department, its six full-time faculty members, and its 30-40 doctoral students.

The chair also assures the vibrancy of the research environment within the department with intellectual leadership and by seeking grants and contracts to support research activities.

Duties
The chair of the CCMS Department heads one of four departments in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University. In that role, the chair:
• provides intellectual leadership in department affairs
• oversees routine management activities,
• guides fiscal, strategic and curriculum planning,
• manages personnel matters within the chair’s scope of responsibility,
• coordinates student recruitment and admission,
• encourages professional development by department faculty
• seeks grants and other funding opportunities to assure the research capabilities of the department,
• acts as liaison to the Chairs and Directors’ Leadership Team of the Cathy Hughes School of Communication, to Howard Graduate School and to other key campus units,
• engages alumni in department activities,
• maintains engagement with research,
• takes a leadership role in professional communication associations,
• teaches one course per semester.

Qualifications
Applicants must possess an earned PhD, in communications (or a related field), hold professor status at their present university, possess a strong research profile, have experience securing grants and contracts, be able to demonstrate a history of commitment to social and racial justice, possess stature in the field of communications, and possess academic administrative experience. Applicants should also have strong interpersonal skills and be able to show they can work in comity with others of diverse backgrounds.

The Department 
The department provides doctoral-level studies leading to the PhD, with a focus on communication problems of importance in an emerging digital and multicultural world. The curriculum in Communication, Culture and Media Studies (CCMS) is designed to train scholars and academic leaders to contribute to interdisciplinary research in communication fields with a particular emphasis on multicultural and mediated communication.

The program offers core competencies in research strategies (qualitative, quantitative, and critical), theory and methodology. Students specialize in one of three tracks: Media & Cultural Studies; Technology, Policy & Society; or Health Communication.

The program also responds to the university’s historical mission to advance African Americans and other underserved communities by emphasizing multiculturalism, global issues and social justice concerns in its curriculum.

For details about the department see https://gs.howard.edu/graduate-programs/communication-culture-and-media-studies.

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university in Washington, DC, that comprises 13 schools and colleges. It is a culturally diverse, comprehensive, research-intensive and historically Black university. The University provides an educational experience of exceptional quality at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels to students of high academic standing and potential, with particular emphasis upon educational opportunities for Black students. Moreover, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre of faculty who are, through their teaching, research and service, committed to the development of distinguished, historically aware, and compassionate graduates and to the discovery of solutions to human problems in the United States and throughout the world. Howard University is an equal opportunity employer; the university offers health benefits to married partners of employees.

For further details about the university see https://home.howard.edu/.

To apply
Applicants should submit a letter of application that explains how their experience addresses the job description and qualifications listed in this job announcement, along with a CV, two examples of recent publications, and three current letters of recommendation to: Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, natalie.hopkinson@howard.edu. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2020 and continue until a candidate is identified.

Please note:
This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required. The university has the right to revise this position description at any time. This position description is not be construed as a contract for employment.