JEA.org | Journalism Education Association

Associate Director, Student Publications Inc.
Associate Professor, A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Executive Director, Journalism Education Association

Kansas State University seeks applicants for a 12-month, fulltime, non-tenure track, annually renewable position to serve as (1) associate director of Student Publications Inc. — 50 percent; (2) faculty member in the A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications and JEA executive director — 50 percent. The position begins July 1, 2010.

JOB DESCRIPTION: As associate director of Student Publications Inc., this person serves with the director to insure high-quality and responsible student media created for students by students. This person will also be responsible for directing the Flint Hills Publications Workshop and contests for the Kansas Scholastic Press Association. As faculty adviser to the nationally recognized Royal Purple yearbook and DVD, a recipient of the Pacemaker and Gold Crown awards 18 of the past 19 years, the associate director will negotiate contracts for printing, photography, DVDs and advertising. As a half-time faculty member, this person will be expected to teach two courses a semester and provide service to the School. Teaching duties may include magazine production, editing, media convergence, public relations or other areas of expertise.

The position also includes service as the executive director of the Journalism Education Association, the national professional organization of high school journalism teachers whose national headquarters have been at Kansas State University since 1987. The executive director is responsible for its $1.3 million budget, manages a staff of three fulltime employees, runs the summer Advisers Institute, and oversees the commissions, bookstore, quarterly publication and membership of the organization. Responsibilities also include programming for two national conventions annually with attendance of about 5,000.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership and organizational ability in scholastic media on the regional or national level and experience advising student publications, especially magazines or yearbooks. Demonstrated ability to manage people, schedules, and resources is required. Media experience in journalism or strategic communications and a master’s degree are required. University-level teaching experience is preferred. Experience in media convergence and multi-media is desirable.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin April 1 and continue until the position is filled. Please include a letter of application, résumé, a 750-word statement of teaching and managerial philosophy, and three letters of recommendation.

APPLY TO: Dr. Joye Gordon, Search Committee Co-Chair; A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, 105 Kedzie Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.

For more information related to this position go to www.jea.org, www.jmc.ksu.edu or www.royalpurple.ksu.edu

BACKGROUND: The A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, established in 1910, has three sequences: advertising, journalism and digital media, and public relations. The undergraduate program, which has been rated among the 20 best in the country, has an enrollment of about 650; the graduate program has about 30 students and graduate teaching assistants.

Student Publications Inc. has produced the Royal Purple since 1909, and yearbooks under other titles since 1902. In 1997 a CD ROM supplement was added to the publication and in 2003 a DVD became part of the book. One of the most decorated college yearbooks in the nation, the Royal Purple has a long history of national awards dating to 1934 All-American ratings.

Student Publications is an independent, non-profit corporation that also publishes the Kansas State Collegian daily newspaper and eCollegian, the royalpurple.ksu.edu Web site and the K-State Campus Phone Book. With more than 100 students on its payroll, Student Publications is one of the university’s largest student employers. Four full-time staff members, the associate director and the director make up the professional staff. The Journalism Education Association supports scholastic journalism advisers and educators through a bookstore, a quarterly magazine, a certification program and commissions on curriculum, multiculturalism, certification, middle schools and scholastic press rights. Committees in new media, professional learning communities and mentoring serve its 2,600 members. Educational programs include two conventions annually in cooperation with the National Scholastic Press Association, and the Advisers Institute.

Kansas State University is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees. A background check is required.

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, a comprehensive public education and research institute, was founded in 1863 and is one of the first three land-grant institutions. Its main campus is located in Manhattan, about 120 miles west of Kansas City, with a satellite campus in Salina and one under construction in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe. The student body totals about 23,000. Kansas State University ranks first nationally among state universities in its number of Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater and Udall scholars.