Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Director

Job Title

Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Director

Agency

Texas A&M University - San Antonio

Department

Department of Sociology and Communication

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

San Antonio, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

The Department of Sociology and Communication at Texas A&M University-San Antonio invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Director, beginning in Fall 2027.

This position combines faculty responsibilities with leadership of the University's award-winning Jaguar Student Media Network (JSMN), a comprehensive student media enterprise that serves as a cornerstone of experiential learning in the Communication Program. The successful candidate will teach three undergraduate courses annually (2/1 teaching load) and provide strategic vision, administration, and mentorship for the University's student media operations. We seek an accomplished teacher-scholar and media leader with expertise in journalism, digital media, media production, multimedia storytelling, strategic communication, sports media, broadcasting, or a related field. Candidates should demonstrate a record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and/or professional practice appropriate for appointment at the rank of associate professor. The successful candidate will be committed to student-centered learning, workforce preparation, and advancing opportunities for experiential and community-engaged education.

About the Jaguar Student Media Network

Established in 2010, the Jaguar Student Media Network provides engaging public forums that inform, educate, and connect students, faculty, staff, and the broader South Texas community. Through state-of-the-art communication laboratories and student-led media operations, JSMN reaches thousands of readers, viewers, and listeners annually through original reporting, storytelling, entertainment, and multimedia content. As part of Texas A&M University-San Antonio's mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the Jaguar Student Media Network is dedicated to preparing the next generation of Latino media and communication professionals. The Network serves as an extension of the University's commitment to empowering students through innovative academic and co-curricular experiences that foster leadership, civic engagement, and career readiness. The Jaguar Student Media Network consists of three integrated student media operations:

The Mesquite Online News

A student-run hyper-local digital news organization that provides hands-on training in reporting, writing, editing, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and community-focused journalism. Students produce original coverage of campus, community, and regional issues while developing professional journalism skills.

El Espejo Magazine

A student-produced magazine that offers opportunities for creative storytelling, feature writing, photography, visual design, and multimedia content creation. El Espejo showcases student voices and perspectives through innovative and culturally relevant content. Enlace Media Lab A multimedia production and broadcast hub that provides students with opportunities to create digital entertainment and media content across multiple platforms. Enlace includes Jaguar Radio and the emerging Jaguar Sports Network, offering experiential training in broadcasting, podcasting, live production, sports media, audio storytelling, video production, and content creation.

University and Program Profile

Texas A&M University–San Antonio is part of the internationally recognized Texas A&M University System. Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, A&M– San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally and historically rich community it serves. Located on nearly 700 acres in South San Antonio, the University offers 37 undergraduate degree programs and 19 graduate degree programs to more than A&M–San Antonio is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is one of only 30 higher education institutions in the United States to have earned the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education in recognition of its commitment to Latino student success.

More than 77% of A&M–San Antonio students identify as Latinx, 66% identify as women, and approximately 60% are the first in their families to attend college. These students bring a wealth of cultural knowledge, professional experience, and community connections to the classroom, creating meaningful opportunities for faculty committed to teaching, mentorship, and publicly engaged scholarship.

In December 2022, the University established a partnership with the Texas A&M University Health Science Center, also known as Texas A&M Health, and University Health, the Bexar County public health system. This affiliation brings together three nationally recognized institutions to develop and expand educational pathways and research opportunities in high-demand health sciences fields, particularly within a historically underserved region.

Part of the Department of Sociology and Communication, the Communication Program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with concentrations in Mass Communication and Media. The program combines the study of communication theory, research, media processes, and professional practice to prepare students to become ethical, effective communicators. Through a flexible and interdisciplinary curriculum, students develop critical thinking, media literacy, storytelling, and collaborative problem-solving skills that support careers in media, journalism, digital content creation, and related communication professions.

Our communication students annually earn regional and national distinction, competing for and winning awards, scholarships, grants, and professional development opportunities. Since the launch of the academic program in 2010, our students have received scholarships from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Google, the Online News Association (ONA), the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ), the San Antonio Professional Chapter of Women in Communications, as well as awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA), the Mark of Excellence Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and admission to the Boston University Graduate College of Communication, and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism among others.

Job Responsibilities: Faculty Responsibilities

• Teach the equivalent of 9 course credits per academic year (2/1 teaching load) in Communication including internship and media courses.
• Develop a research program at A&M-SA that results in tangible products (articles, books, grants, etc.).
• As part of an involved Communication Program team, provide service at the program, department, college, university, community, and profession levels.

Media Director Responsibilities

Leadership & Oversight:

• Provide leadership direction to multiple student media outlets (e.g., Digital News, Print Magazine, Internet Radio, Multimedia Production, Jaguar Sports Network, and Jag TV).
• Ensure that all student media operate within university policies and journalistic ethics.
• Serve as a liaison between student media and university administration.

Operational Management:

• Oversee budgets, equipment, and facilities for student media.
• Coordinate fundraising, grant writing, and revenue-generation efforts (sometimes in conjunction with students or university departments).
• Coordinate Faculty and Student Travel for student contests and media conventions.
• Ensure timely publication and resourcing to ensure distribution of content (print, broadcast, digital).

Strategic Planning & Innovation:

• Develop long-term strategies for growth, sustainability, and modernization of student media.
• Encourage digital transformation and integration of new technologies (e.g., podcasts, social media strategy, mobile platforms, and university-wide streaming).

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure student media complies with copyright laws, libel standards, and FCC regulations.
• Help mitigate legal or reputational risks by reviewing controversial or sensitive content when needed (without infringing editorial independence).

Collaboration & Outreach:

• Build relationships with faculty, departments (e.g., journalism, communications), alumni, and external media organizations.
• Promote student media work across campus and in the community.

Required Education and Experience:

• A Ph.D. in Communication is required.
• Outstanding research potential.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the university level, professional service.
• Previous experience serving as director of student media or adviser to a student media outlet is required.

We will consider hiring someone at the Assistant Professor rank if they are an outstanding candidate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to complete tasks and work cooperatively with others.
• Strong self-discipline and ability to work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to interact with students from a range of backgrounds.

Applicant Instructions: 

Please make sure to provide the following documents: 

Cover Letter

Resume / CV 

Overview of research experiences and current research agenda (2 pages or less).

Overview of teaching experiences and teaching philosophy (2 pages or less).

Overview of experiences advising or directing student media and vision for a contemporary student media program (2 pages or less).

Contact information for three references that will provide letters of recommendation, if requested.

For detailed instructions on how to apply for any position on our website, please use the following link: 

http://www.tamusa.edu/humanresources/job-opportunities/index.html ​  

The position is open until filled, but review of applications will begin within one month of posting.

If selected for the position, prior to issuing a letter of appointment, the official transcripts must be received directly from each degree-granting institution. We cannot accept transcripts issued directly to the candidate. If transcripts are from an international institution, it is the responsibility of the prospective candidate to have the transcript translated, evaluated and notarized. Verified Electronic Copies of Official transcript should be sent to: joni.foster@tamusa.edu If necessary, hard copies of official transcripts should be sent directly from the issuing institution to the address listed below:

Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Director

c/o Joni Foster (e-mail: Joni.Foster@tamusa.edu)

Office of the Provost

Texas A&M University- San Antonio

One University Way

San Antonio, Texas 78224

Selected candidate must pass a pre-employment background investigation to be hired for the position.

The above duties may not be performed in every position with this title and the above functions may not include all related duties that might be performed. This position requires physical activities supportive of the above job duties. Reasonable accommodations will be made as necessary.

Summary of Employee Benefits: 

www.tamusa.edu/human-resources/documents/Summary-of-Employees-Benefits1.pdf

Texas A&M University-San Antonio values community engagement and encourages applicants who are committed to advancing the well-being and prosperity of our communities. 

Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting the application. Once the application is submitted, no changes or revisions can be made.  If you have issues with adding documents to your application, please contact HR at 210-784-2058. 

In compliance with ADA, if accommodations are needed for the application process, please contact HR at (210) 784-2058. 

A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised that Texas A&M University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Texas A&M University subject to this fee.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status, this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.