Assistant Professor of Practice, Journalism Program

Position description

The Journalism Program at Wake Forest University invites applications for a permanent, non-tenure-track, teaching professional position to cover three different kinds of courses: 1) introductory courses [on the foundations of journalism, including reporting, news and feature writing, and visual and audio storytelling], 2) critical courses analyzing the profession and 3) higher level courses within the candidates’ focus area (see below).

The faculty member will teach six courses per academic year (on a 9-month basis), with renewable, two-year contracts and opportunities for promotion and longer contracts. Teaching professionals are eligible for benefits available to all regular, full-time faculty, including professional development funds and access to competitive grants administered by the university, which may be used to support projects in journalism.

Job Qualifications:

We welcome candidates from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds who can contribute to a dynamic, forward-looking journalism program. The ideal candidate would either be:

• a journalist with 7+ years of experience in the industry with a demonstrated history of high-quality professionalism and news judgment
• someone with a master’s degree or higher in journalism or related field with a 3+ year history of high-quality professionalism and news judgment

* Note: Teaching experience is preferred but not required

We are particularly interested in candidates whose work engages with one or more of the following areas:

• Digital Journalism: Expertise in emerging digital platforms, graphic design and production, multimedia storytelling, audience engagement, or social media strategy.

• Specialized Reporting: Expertise in a specific domain of journalism such as investigative reporting, data journalism, broadcast journalism, business and financial reporting, environmental journalism, editorial writing and journalistic commentaries, or science communication.

• Media Leadership and Innovation: Experience in founding, leading, or managing contemporary media organizations—particularly those that have shaped digital journalism practices (e.g., Vox Media, The Verge, ProPublica, etc.)—with an emphasis on editorial strategy, innovation, sustainability, and audience development.

• Media Ethics and Contemporary Issues: A strong foundation in journalism ethics, press freedom, misinformation/disinformation, algorithmic bias, or the role of journalism in democracy.

Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to high-impact teaching, professional and critical engagement, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving media landscape. We especially welcome applicants who are eager to contribute to curriculum development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student mentoring, including at the student newspaper The Old Gold & Black. Pursuing and producing independent journalism projects—whether through writing, audio, or video—is encouraged.

Application instructions

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