Digital Journalist - Assistant Professor

California State University, Fresno

College of Arts and Humanities

Department of Media, Communication and Journalism

http://fresnostate.edu/artshum/mcj/

Title: Digital Journalism and Social Justice

Rank: Assistant Professor

Status: Tenure Track

Start: Fall 2022 (August 2022)

The Position:

We are looking for social justice journalism academics/practitioners for a tenure-track, academic-year position at the rank of Assistant Professor starting in August 2022. This person will teach and work with undergraduate students, the university, and the community-at-large, incorporating service activities, creative works, and applied research into teaching and learning. This position is part of an effort to better serve underrepresented students on campus and increase student success and retention rates.

In this role, the successful candidate will:

• Teach existing classes and create new courses in the MCJ Digital Journalism option related to their area of expertise as applied to, but not limited to the African American or other communities of color experience.
• Take a leadership role in the MCJ digital journalism concentration, including collaborations with the Institute of Media and Public Trust to train students of color to become journalists
• Join other interdisciplinary campus and community initiatives to creatively and collaboratively report social justice stories about issues of inequality and injustice

Our Students:

California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Qualifications:

We are looking for somebody who can blend academics with social justice journalism, and who feels as comfortable in the community as the classroom.

Applicants must possess:

1) A terminal degree (Ph.D. or M.F.A.) in Journalism; Mass Communication, or a relevant discipline from an accredited institution. Candidates nearing completion of their doctorate or M.F.A. must have earned their degree by August 1, 2022.

OR

An earned Master’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, or a relevant discipline from an accredited institution AND exceptional professional journalism experience for at least five years that is equivalent to the knowledge and application skills achieved with a terminal degree will also be considered.

2) Significant professional accomplishments in the journalism field or demonstrated success with research and scholarly activities, including recent peer-reviewed publications and/or conference proceedings

3) The ability to demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds

4) A demonstrable history of commitment to social and racial injustice by serving and working with BIPOC communities and/or other underrepresented groups

Preferred Qualifications:

1) Demonstrated ability, or potential, to teach impactful undergraduate courses in social justice journalism and at least one of the following: media writing, race and media, social media for equity and justice, advocacy storytelling, and/or media literacy

2) Experience using digital journalism practices and tools to advance social justice causes such as Black Lives Matter or similar movements in the service of these communities

Application Procedures: The review of applications will begin on October 4, 2021. Submission by this date will ensure the best consideration. If it chooses, the committee may review applications submitted after this date. This position automatically closes on May 1, 2022.

Apply online at: http://careers.fresnostate.edu

Attach the following:

1. Cover letter addressing required and preferred qualifications
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. A written statement indicating a commitment to diversity, including a demonstrated history of working with marginalized populations such as the African American community.
4. Names and contact information of three professional references

Finalists will be required to submit three letters of recommendation, a teaching/practitioner portfolio, and unofficial transcripts.

Salary placement depends upon academic preparation and professional experience. Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process.

Committee Information:

Search Chair: Nancy Van Leuven,
Department of Media Communication and Journalism
Email: nancyvanleuven@mail.fresnostate.edu

Other members of the Search Committee are Melanie Hernandez (English); Carey Higgins-Dobney (MCJ); Jes Therkelsen (MCJ); and Thomas-Whit Ellis, (Theatre Arts and Africana Studies).

About the Department:

Since 1928, the MCJ Department has prepared thousands of students and ethical leaders who think critically, write well, and thrive in rapidly changing environments. Students focus on one of four tracks: Advertising and Public Relations; Broadcast and Multiplatform Journalism; Digital Journalism; and Film and Media Arts.

As part of the Digital Journalism option, this faculty member will help students learn the fundamentals that prepare them for the demands of the industry and the call to serve the public. We focus on using cutting-edge digital tools and turning data into powerful and compelling storytelling. At the heart of this option is the opportunity for students to get hands-on experience at Fresno State’s award-winning campus newspaper, The Collegian. This candidate will join a department already working in social justice issues, ranging from media stereotypes and mental health services to environmental racism and homelessness.

Also part of the MCJ Department is The Institute for Media and Public Trust, headed by former Fresno Bee editor Jim Boren. The Institute is a leader in media literacy and works to bridge the trust gap between news consumers and media outlets. It also has a commitment to being a vehicle that brings people and institutions together. An example is its program to train students of color to become journalists.

About Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. For information on the University's commitment and dedication to creating a university known for its integrity, civility, equity, respect, and ethical behavior, please visit: http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/diversity The campus is ranked 24^th in the nation by Washington Monthly ; ranked 3^rd by U.S. News & World Report in graduation rate performance for public institutions; and, ranked 41^st in the nation in MONEY Magazines 50 Best Public Colleges .

Tenure-Track Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process. For additional information, please visit: www.fresnostate.edu/academics/facultyaffairs/procedures/facultyrtp/ . We value our commitment to the success of our faculty by providing services from the Center for Faculty Excellence to Research and Sponsored Programs.

Territorial Acknowledgement

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land.

Other Campus Information

California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at www.fresnostate.edu/police/clery/index.shtml. Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

A background check (including criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily for this position. An offer of employment may be withdrawn or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment. You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following website: http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1083.html.

California State University, Fresno is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

Advertised: 24 Aug 2021 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: 29 Apr 2022 Pacific Daylight Time