Position Summary
The Director serves as the chief executive leader of the School, providing strategic, financial, and operational leadership in support of excellence in teaching, research, creative activity, student success, and professional and community engagement. The Director advances the School’s role and visibility within a leading public research university.
Central to this role is working in partnership with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders to provide transparent and future-focused leadership that supports academic excellence, shared governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Director is responsible for consistent communication, sound decision-making, equitable resource management, and responsiveness to the evolving journalism and media landscape.
The Director holds a tenured faculty appointment and reports to the Dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
This role offers the opportunity to direct a nationally recognized, research and grant-active School of Journalism program that offers undergraduate degrees in both Journalism and Digital Storytelling, along with a cross-department Ph.D. degree in Information & Media.
Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
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Provide strategic direction and vision for the School in alignment with MSU and College priorities, collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and college leadership to advance shared goals.
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Manage the School’s budget and resources responsibly and strategically, including financial planning, personnel allocations, facilities, technology, and external funding oversight.
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Foster a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment that values differing perspectives, constructive dialogue, and shared governance.
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Oversee personnel processes including reappointment, promotion, tenure, and advancement reviews in collaboration with college leadership and according to university policies and procedures.
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Collaborate with faculty to advance innovative, future-focused curricula responsive to changes in journalism, technology, media industries, and audience engagement.
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Promote academic rigor, experiential learning, cross-platform storytelling, community-engaged learning, and professional preparation.
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Advocate for infrastructure, technology, and resources supporting scholarly productivity, innovation and professional dissemination.
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Foster a student-centered learning environment that promotes belonging, engagement, access, and academic success.
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Strengthen partnerships with media organizations, alumni, professional associations, and community stakeholders to advance the School’s mission and strategic priorities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a closely related field.
Minimum Requirements
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Terminal degree (Ph.D.) in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a closely related field.
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Demonstrated effectiveness in financial and operational management, including budget oversight, personnel management, and accreditation or program review processes. (e.g., ACEJMC).
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Demonstrated understanding of contemporary journalism, media ethics, emerging technologies, and the evolving digital media environment.
Desired Qualifications
• Experience with advancement, donor relations, or partnership development.
• Understanding of land-grant and R1 research missions.
Required Application Materials
1. A detailed cover letter that addresses the qualifications and expectations of the position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Names and contact information of three professional references. References will not be contacted until candidates are notified.
Special Instructions
The review of applications begins on September 11, 2026, and will continue until an exceptional candidate is selected. Questions may be directed to search committee co-chairs Serena Miller ([email protected]) or Bruno Takahashi ([email protected]). Electronic submissions of applications through MSU's Career site (careers.msu.edu), posting #1139526 is required.
A full position description is available here.
A full job prospectus is available here.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts
