Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication (Sports Media)

Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication (Sports Media)

Department of Communication and Media (9-month appointment, Tenure Track)

November 3, 2026

Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian University environment to apply for an Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication in the Department of Communication and Media. This full-time tenure track position is a 9-month appointment and carries a twenty-four (24) credit-hour teaching load. The position will begin in August 2027.

Qualified candidates will hold a PhD and/or ABD, near completion, in mass communication or a closely related field from an institutionally accredited college or university (or equivalent). Candidates must have the relevant professional and/or scholarly experience to teach a variety of sports media courses, including but not limited to introduction to sports journalism; sports, media, and society; sports broadcasting; and similar courses. Additional demonstrated teaching expertise in video production and media writing at the basic and intermediate levels is strongly preferred. Successful candidates will have demonstrated a record of peer-reviewed scholarship and excellence in teaching. A scholarship agenda focused on the ways sports media (including journalistic and/or entertainment content) intersect with and inform culture and/or society is preferred. ABD candidates will be hired at the rank of Instructor, with a commensurate salary, until Ph.D. is completed.

The Department of Communication and Media is home to Samford’s award-winning student media and hosts an annual speaker forum (Robinson Forum - a lecture series in cooperation with The Washington Post). Our Public Relations program is CEPR certified.

Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford (samford.edu) is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls more than 6,500 students from 46 states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries in its 10 academic schools with 450 full-time faculty. Samford is ranked #3 in the nation for career preparation. #5 for most recommended colleges, and #7 in the nation for student learning opportunities as listed in The Wall Street Journal (2026). The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package.

Review of applications will begin November 23, 2026, and applications will continue to be accepted until November 30, 2026. Please submit (via email below in .pdf format), an application letter, curriculum vitae with names and contact information of three references, description of teaching experience and interests, description of research plans, along with an Application for Faculty Position and the Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement (links below). Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience. The successful candidate must pass a background check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position.

Application for Faculty Position can be found at: https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty-employment.pdf

Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement can be found at:

https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/academic-affairs/Faculty-Applicant-Christian-Mission- Statement.docx

Please submit all materials in PDF format to:

FACAPP@samford.edu

Subject: Sports Media Faculty

Questions may be addressed to:

Dr. Ignatius Fosu, Search Committee Chair ifosu@samford.edu

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.