Department Head Professor-Communication and Journalism

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Why Choose Us?

At the University of Wyoming, we value our employees and invest in their success.  Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.  Benefits include:

• Generous Retirement Contributions: The State contributes 14.94% of your gross salary, and you contribute 3.68%, totaling 18.62% toward your retirement plan.
• Exceptional Health & Prescription Coverage: Enjoy access to medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions, that include 4 deductible options to suit your needs.
• Paid Time Off: Benefit from ample vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure.
• Tuition Waiver: Employees and eligible dependents can take advantage of tuition waivers, supporting continuous education and professional growth.
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs: Stay healthy with wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources.

At the University of Wyoming, we’re committed to creating a supportive and enriching workplace. To learn more about what we offer, please refer to UW’s Benefits Summary.

JOB TITLE:   

Head, Department of Communication and Journalism

JOB PURPOSE:   

We are searching for an individual with experience in administrative leadership in academia and the communication who has a strong record of effective teaching, research/creative activity, and service and to serve as Department Head in the Department of Communication and Journalism. This position will guide a dynamic undergraduate and graduate department at the state’s flagship, land-grant institution. The department offers BAs in Communication as well as in Journalism and an MA in Communication.

The Department Head will provide a vision for growth and enrichment of the program and will lead the department to develop a sustainable vision of excellence and innovation. Their charge is to engage with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors to shape department culture and experience. In addition to the duties and responsibilities of serving as department head, this position is expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, conduct research/creative activity, advise and mentor students, and provide service to the college and university.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Serve as a visionary senior faculty administrator, promoting excellence in teaching, creative activity/research, outreach, and service.
• Provide leadership and guidance for curriculum development and assessment, faculty and staff development, long-range planning, budgeting, recruiting, and public relations while enhancing the visibility of the department on campus, in the community, and around the state.
• Foster strong connections between academic training, research, creative activity, and scholarship; evaluate faculty and staff as they go through annual evaluation, reappointment, tenure, and promotion processes.
• Work with all department committees to support and provide guidance.
• Maintain and develop relationships with donors and create a long-term fundraising strategy. Lead development and fundraising efforts as they apply to the department, summer programs, and new department initiatives.
• Advocate on behalf of the department, its students, faculty, staff, and alumni and provide leadership in public relations and communication.
• Maintain and build interdisciplinary relationships within the College of Arts & Sciences, other programs and units on campus, and with university leadership.
• Serve as a liaison to the administration, alumni, and the community.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses
• Advise and mentor students.

WORK LOCATION:

This position provides vital support to campus customers and requires the successful candidate be available to work on campus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Associate or Full Professor with evidence of effective teaching, research/creative activity, and service.
• Documented administrative experience at an academic institution (2 years, minimum).
• PhD in Communication or Journalism
• Demonstrated financial and budgetary experience.
• A valid driver’s license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Demonstrated excellence in effectively leading an academic department
• Demonstrated history of excellence in teaching
• Demonstrated history of excellence in research/creative activity
• Demonstrated history of considerable and effective service at the department, college, university levels.
• History of high-quality off-campus discipline-related service or leadership in regional, national, and international organizations.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

Complete the online application and upload the following for a complete application: cover letter, resume or C.V. and contact information for four work-related references. For full consideration, applications must be received by October 15, 2025.

Due to a current system limitation, you may only be prompted to upload your resume/CV and a Cover Letter.  to ensure your application is complete, we recommend you put all of your application materials into one file with your cover letter.  However, if you're experiencing any issues in doing so, please send any additional application materials to [email protected], and a recruiter will manually add them to your application packet. To help us process your application more efficiently, please include the 6-digit job ID number (located at the bottom of the job posting) in your email. 

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: 

Work authorization sponsorship may be available for this position, conditioned on the non-applicability of the fees implemented in 90 FR 46027 to the visa petition.

HIRING STATEMENT/EEO:  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact us at 307-766-2377 or email [email protected]. 

ABOUT LARAMIE:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a charming town of 30,000 residents nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its only 4-year university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research, and outreach with state-of-the-art facilities and strong community ties. We invite you to learn move about Laramie, by visiting the About Laramie website.

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range and the metropolitan Denver area. Laramie’s beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/