SUBR | Department Chair; Mass Communication

SU  | Department Chair (Mass Communication) | Position:
Full-Time (Tenured) | Salary Range: $92,000 |
Final date to receive applications:
March 13, 2026

The department chair provides visionary and collaborative leadership for an academic department, fostering excellence in teaching, research, service, and community engagement. The chairperson is responsible for advancing learner success, research, faculty development, and innovative program growth while ensuring alignment with institutional goals and accreditation standards.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the department aligned with the institution's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Cultivate partnerships that connect students and faculty to industry, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance the department’s national visibility as a center for innovation, storytelling, and public communication rooted in the HBCU tradition.
• Strengthen the department’s research profile; promote excellence in teaching, creative production, and community engagement; and oversee faculty development, curriculum innovation, and student success. Initiate, support, and lead the development of graduate and hybrid/online education programming, and continue developing a variety of innovative media platforms (such as the campus radio station and podcasting).
• Oversee budget, resource allocation, and departmental operations with transparency and efficiency.
• Encourage and support faculty and students in pursuing research, grants, partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Promote academic excellence through curriculum development, innovative teaching practices, and integration of technology, artificial intelligence, and digital tools in learning and research.
• Ensures departmental compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and professional requirements; and manages timely submission of all requirements, including enrollment verification, progress reports, midterm grades, and final grades.
• Engage in effective communication with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners to build strong relationships and advance departmental goals.
• Model ethical leadership, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree in Mass Communication
• Six or more years of experience
• Specific experience:
  Faculty member of a university's Mass Communication Department who has achieved tenure and promotion.
• Proven leadership, organizational, and administrative skills with the ability to manage complex academic operations, preferably at least 2 years of leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of technology-enhanced learning, AI applications in higher education, and digital literacy.
• Commitment to collegiality
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

• Doctoral Degree
• Ph.D. in Mass Communication
• Specific experience in leading an academic department, managing a radio station, a demonstrated interest in student-centered multimedia projects, and a demonstrated ability to progress a program via innovation.
• Experience with accreditation, assessment, and program review processes.
• Successful record of securing external funding, grants, or partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, build consensus, and inspire innovation.

Interested applicants must complete a Southern University employment application.

External applicants can apply here.

Current Southern University employees should apply here.

• A cover letter detailing experience and alignment with the role.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume highlighting expertise and accomplishments.
• Transcripts (official or unofficial).
• Three (3) professional letters of recommendation.

Dr. Cynthia Bryant | Dean

College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies

cynthia.bryant

A criminal background check and reference verification are required.

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University and A&M College forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws.

This commitment applies to but is not limited to decisions made concerning hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other college-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.