"Warner Endowed Visiting Assistant Professor of Journalism"

Posting Details

Come and join the Bearkat community!

Named after Texas' legendary hero, General Sam Houston, the university boasts a rich historical legacy that resonates with the spirit of Texas, which provides a balance between a peaceful, natural setting and proximity to urban amenities. With a student population of over 21,000, SHSU offers a vibrant and dynamic community. SHSU has a small town feel with large scale opportunities. Located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas and just an hour drive north of Houston, Huntsville provides area residents with a sense of community and belonging.

SHSU offers compelling options for individuals seeking a fulfilling and impactful career including a superior benefit package, competitive salaries and a flexible work environment fostering work/life balance. SHSU offers programs that support a healthy work-life balance, contributing to employee well-being and job satisfaction, as well as, professional development opportunities with our educational assistance and dependent assistance programs.

Position Information

Position Title
Warner Endowed Visiting Assistant Professor of Journalism

Requisition
202500141F

Rank
Visiting Assistant Professor

FLSA status
Exempt

Hiring Salary
Commensurate with education and experience

Position Category

Position Type
Full-Time Non-Tenure Track

College
College of Arts & Media

Department
Dept of Mass Communication

Open Date
12/12/2025

Quicklink
https://shsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/45379

Position Details

About the Mass Communication Department:
The Department of Mass Communication at Sam Houston State University serves more than 500 students studying journalism, broadcast production, public relations, advertising, and film. Located in the Dan Rather Communications Building, it is home to 90.5 The Kat, Channel 7, Bearkat Student Media, The Houstonian, and the annual Heatwave Media and Film Festival. The department blends research-focused and practice-oriented faculty of various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

The Department of Mass Communication at Sam Houston State University seeks applicants for the Phillip G. Warner Endowed Visiting Assistant Professor of Journalism position. We are seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to mentor and inspire the next generation of media professionals. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in journalism, a passion for sports media, and a desire to contribute to the development of the department’s new concentration and minor programs. Areas of interest include sports writing, sports reporting, data-driven sports journalism, AI technology, social media, mobile tools, and other multimedia skills for covering sports and sports programs. The position begins in Fall 2026.

Key responsibilities include:

• Teach a 3/3 course load, including the media practicum, with the candidate’s specialty.
• Teach two or more different subjects, such as mass media writing, introduction to sports media, media and sports, or other related fields in sports journalism or sports production.
• Serve as a liaison to industry professionals, alumni, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with faculty to strengthen the department’s visibility and reputation.
• Develop and implement new courses that equip students with essential workforce readiness skills in the emerging media landscape.
• Participate in departmental and university service while maintaining active engagement in the field.

Educational Requirements for the Position
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (such as journalism, mass communication, or media studies) with a record of distinguished professional experience in sports journalism or sports media production. Minimum of five years of professional achievement in the media industry, with a proven track record of excellence. Clear potential for developing and teaching undergraduate courses to support the department’s new concentration and minor programs.

Experience Required for the Position

Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience teaching in higher education.
Prior experience supervising student organizations and media practicums.
Experience developing and teaching undergraduate courses.
Active in a professional organization.

Other Requirements for the Position
This visiting position is a renewable term appointment, typically ranging from 1–3 years. Renewal beyond three years may be considered based on program needs, performance, and strategic alignment with the department’s goals.

Refer Applicants To

Contact Name
Wojciech Lorenc

Dan Rather Communication Building
1804 Avenue J
Box 2207
Huntsville, TX 77341-2207

Contact Phone
(936) 294-4419

Contact Email
wlorenc@shsu.edu

Special Instructions Summary

About Sam Houston State University:
Located 40 miles north of suburban Houston, Sam Houston State University provides high-quality education, scholarship, and service to qualified students for the benefit of regional, state, national and international constituencies. The university is classified as a High Research Activity university and a “Community Engaged” institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. SHSU, a Hispanic Serving Institution, is a growing community serving over 21,000 students across three campuses in Huntsville, Conroe, and The Woodlands. For more information, visit https://www.shsu.edu.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted online and include a cover letter detailing the applicant’s qualifications, relevant experience, and interest in the position, a current CV, and contact information for three references addressed to Wojciech Lorenc (wlorenc@shsu.edu)

Please note: References provided in the References section of the application will receive an automated email reference request at the time the application is submitted.

For Full Consideration, apply by January 5, 2026; the position will remain open until filled.

Open Until Filled
Yes