Assistant/Associate Professor Sports Communication and Media

Careerwebsite; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition waiver benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

Illinois State University in Normal, IL invites applications for a nine-month tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Sports Communication and Media. The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses and pursue peer-reviewed research or creative work.

The successful applicant will mentor graduate students, contribute to curriculum development, and build connections with community and industry partners while serving the school, college, and university.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Communication, Mass Communication, Sports Media, Media/Media Studies, Journalism, Film Studies, or closely related field (ABD considered with completion by August 16, 2028)
• Emerging or established record of peer-reviewed research and/or creativity activities relevant to sports communication/media
• State law requires English proficiency for this position.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in sports communication and/or media.
• Maintain an active agenda of peer-reviewed research and/or creative work.
• Advise and mentor graduate students and contribute to curriculum development.
• Build connections with community and industry partners and engage in service to the school, college, and university.

Skills

Teaching

Research

Curriculum development

Student mentorship

Education

Ph.D. in Communication/related field

Job description

Assistant or Associate Professor- Sports Communication and Media

Title: Assistant or Associate Professor- Sports Communication and Media Employee Classification: Asst Professor Division Name: Asst Professor Division Name: Academic Affairs College/Unit: College of Arts and Sciences Department: School of Communication Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The School of Communication, part of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University in Normal, IL (https://illinoisstate.edu/), invites applications for a nine-month tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position specializing in Sports Communication and Media. We seek a teacher-scholar whose teaching and research and/or creative work focus on sports communication and media. Successful candidates are expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in sports communication and/or media; maintain an active and impactful agenda of peer-reviewed research and/or creative work; advise and mentor graduate students; contribute to curriculum development; and build connections with community and industry partners while engaging in service to the school, college, and university.

A comprehensive benefits package is included.

University Benefit Highlights: Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options

Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/.

Additional Information

This experiential foundation is reinforced by coursework such as COM 342: Gameday Communication and Operations and COM 343: Friday Night Lights, which lead to internships and professional connections. Situated within a triangle of three local TV markets, our students benefit from close proximity to real-world broadcast opportunities. Sports Communication is the fastest-growing major in the College of Arts and Sciences, and our alumni hold positions in front offices of major sports organizations nationwide. The School values both traditional scholarship and peerreviewed creative work, and our faculty have earned recognition through the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) and state broadcast associations. Founded in 1857 as Illinois' first public university, IllinoisState.edu, is one of only 27 institutions nationwide to earn both Research 2 (R2) and Opportunity Colleges and Universities (OCU) designations by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which recognizes campuses that foster student success and research. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024- 2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State's Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride. Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The

community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance's International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens' high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability's top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online's list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State's campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate Salary ranges from $72,828 to $78,000 for Assistant Professor and $83,232 to $86,000 for Associate Professor, commensurate with qualifications and experience

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Communication, Mass Communication, Sports Media,

Media/Media Studies, Journalism, Film Studies, or a closely related field (ABD considered with completion by August 16, 2028) An emerging or established record of peer-reviewed research and/or creativity activities relevant to the sports communication and/or media field State law mandates that candidates demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language for this position.