Assistant Professor of Digital Media

The Department of English & Modern Languages seeks a talented candidate to fill a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position in Digital Media Studies at the rank of assistant professor. The position begins August 2024 but a later date is negotiable. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position reports to the department chair.

The digital media program combines training in media production, media analysis, and writing-intensive communication courses to prepare undergraduates to become multi-faceted media professionals. This position will teach 12 credits (four classes) per semester, maintain an active research agenda, and advise and mentor undergraduate students, among other duties. This position is in-person on our campus in Princess Anne, MD.

The Department of English & Modern Languages offers degrees in English, English Education, and Digital Media Studies. We give students experiential opportunities with Hawk Media, a student-run radio station, a fully equipped state-of-the-art tv studio, creative writing workshops, and multimedia literature classes. The Assistant Professor of Digital Media Studies will work closely with faculty, industry-experienced production coordinators, student groups, and the department chair to broaden curricular and experiential opportunities, recruit and retain undergraduate students, and continue to build the program.

Preference will be given to candidates who can teach in at least three of the following areas: media production (i.e. studio and field production, podcasting, graphic design, etc.); global media and media ethics; broadcast journalism and storytelling; and digital communications.

All areas of specialization will be considered, but the department has an interest in developing undergraduate courses in AI, sports journalism, media activism, and/or media marketing & promotion. Candidates must have the ability to speak fluently on the dynamics of race, gender, and social inclusivity in their teaching and research. All faculty in the Department of English & Modern Languages teach in our general education program. In addition to providing an effective and meaningful introduction to the discipline, the gen-ed classes are a tool for recruitment to the major. This position must be willing and able to teach our speech and advanced public speaking classes.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is the 1890-Land-Grant University in Maryland, located in a rural setting on the Delmarva Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. UMES is an Historically Black University within the University System of Maryland (https://www.usmd.edu/institutions/). For the past six years, UMES has been ranked in the top tier among America’s Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) by U.S. News & World Report. The major metropolitan areas of Washington D.C., Baltimore, MD, and Philadelphia, PA as well as attractions such as Ocean City and Virginia Beach are within easy travel distance.

Responsibilities:

• Teach courses (4/4 teaching load) in the Digital Media Studies program, including media production-related courses, and media analysis courses as needed.
• Teach in the general education program (speech and advanced public speaking).
• Help develop new and update current program curriculum.
• Maintain the LMS for each course, including attendance tracking, early intervention reporting, and grade posting. UMES uses Canvas.
• Advise Digital Media Studies majors as they progress through the program.
• Help facilitate senior capstone projects, internships, etc.
• Help recruit and retain students.
• Maintain an active research agenda to include publications, conference presentations, creative productions, etc., in accordance with departmental guidelines for promotion and tenure.
• Serve on department, school, and university committees.
• Meet established deadlines.
• Perform other related duties assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Communications, Digital Media, or a closely related field with evidence of an effective research agenda.
• Experience in digital storytelling including video, broadcast, and multi-platform production.
• Evidence of at least 3 years of effective university-level teaching from a 4-year regionally accredited university.
• Proficiency with a Learning management System (LMS) like Canvas.
• Experience with diverse student populations and inclusive and culturally responsive teaching.
• Familiarity with the mission of a land-grant HBCU.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Programs, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with video conferencing technology (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet).
• Ability to effectively instruct in face-to-face and virtual learning formats.
• Ability to teach coursework in the existing undergraduate program.

The position is opened until filled but priority will be given to applications received by April 15, 2024. Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter that clearly aligns your experience with listed qualifications and responsibilities, a teaching statement that describes your philosophy toward inclusive and culturally responsive teaching and provides evidence of teaching excellence, current CV highlighting relevant education, teaching, and research experience, unofficial transcripts, and the names of three current, professional references to include e-mail address and telephone number. All applicants must apply using the new online application system. Please visit 

 https://umes.peopleadmin.com/postings

to apply. The successful candidate must be able to show acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America without employer sponsorship.

UMES is an EEO/AA employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation.  The successful candidate must be able to show acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America without employer sponsorship. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.