Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Chairperson

Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies

College of Fine Arts and Communication

COFAC-N-2318

Responsibilities

The chair, who reports to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts & Communication, will provide innovative leadership in approaches to teaching, scholarship, curriculum development, governance, and faculty development. The chair oversees all operations of the department; secures outside funding for department projects, programs and services; manages all department budgets; supervises and assigns teaching and non-teaching responsibilities to faculty and staff; establishes priorities and program directions in cooperation with faculty, staff and students; teaches courses in area of expertise; and maintains scholarly activity appropriate to rank and administrative position as chair.

Appointment

Twelve-month appointment, salary and rank dependent upon qualifications and experience, and effective July 2010. This is a tenure-track position with appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in mass communication or communication studies with at least seven years experience in tenure track positions that reflect a record of excellence in teaching and scholarly achievement. Evidence of strong leadership skills, including administration and budgeting, curriculum development and assessment, and faculty/staff development required. Ability to seek consensus, commitment to shared governance model of administration, and an understanding of the role of a communication department in a comprehensive university necessary. Solid understanding of emergent media technologies as they apply to communication practices and strategies with a vision for innovative program development desired.  Experience with civic engagement and interdisciplinary initiatives a strong plus.

The Department

The Department of Mass Communication & Communication Studies annually enrolls approximately 1,400 majors served by 27 full-time and 50 part-time faculty. The Department offers undergraduate tracks in strategic public relations and integrated communication, journalism and new media, and advertising. A master's degree is offered in Communications Management.

Towson University

Founded in 1866, today Towson University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top public universities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Towson is nationally recognized for its programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, communications, health sciences, and the fine and performing arts.  The University places a strong emphasis on service learning and civic engagement through such activities as internships, practica, clinical placements, course assignments and student events.  As the Baltimore area’s largest university and Maryland’s Metropolitan University, Towson articulates its research and scholarship mission through partnerships that link the University to the economic, educational and cultural life of the state of Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region. Towson enrolls approximately 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 63 undergraduate majors, 39 master’s programs and four doctoral programs. Located on a rolling 328 acres, the striking campus is eight miles north of downtown Baltimore and 45 miles from Washington, D.C.  The campus and its surrounding cities provide an excellent environment for teaching and supporting the academic pursuits of the 780 full-time faculty who work here.

Application Process

Submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, a statement of administrative philosophy, and names and contact information for five references, including email address, postmarked on or before December 1, 2009 (or send electronically as MS Word attachments) to:

Kathy Marsalek, Assistant to the Chair

 Mass Communication & Communication Studies

Media Center, Room 116
Towson University
8000 York Road
Towson, MD 21252-0001

Email: kmarsalek@towson.edu

Upon submitting your Curriculum Vitae to indicate your interest in this position, please be sure to visit http://www.towson.edu/odeo/applicantdata.asp to complete a voluntary on-line applicant data form.  The information you provide will inform the university's affirmative action plan and is for statistical purposes only and shall not be used to illegally discriminate for or against anyone. 

Towson University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.