The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Dean, Hussman School of Journalism and Media

The Hussman School of Journalism and Media at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) seeks to fill the position of Dean of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. 

Journalism education began at UNC-Chapel Hill with the first course taught by Edward Kidder Graham in 1909. Journalism became a department at the University in 1924 and a school in 1950. Today, the school spans the disciplines of journalism, advertising, and public relations with undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and online programs. It has worked to develop a balance of teaching, service-engagement, research-scholarship, and practice. 

The school is a recognized leader in media and journalism education as a member of the Carnegie-Knight Initiative on the Future of Journalism Education and the national champion in the prestigious Hearst collegiate journalism competitions six of the past seven years. The school’s doctoral students have earned the field’s top national dissertation award more than any other school.

The school’s strategic plan, “Envisioning Tomorrow,” supports its mission to create the next generation of journalists, strategic communicators, educators, and researchers prepared to ignite the public conversations that inform a robust democracy — believing diverse voices are critical to the media’s future. The school works closely with industry to respond to the needs of the 21st century knowledge economy.

Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, the Dean of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media is the school’s Chief Academic Officer and will provide inclusive and collaborative academic, intellectual, and administrative leadership for the school. The Dean will lead the school in educating the next generation of communication professionals for a diverse, democratic, and dynamic communications environment, including journalists, strategic communicators, teachers, and researchers. The school has worked to develop a balance of teaching, service-engagement, research-scholarship, and practice. 

The Hussman School of Journalism and Media is seeking a transformational leader with a vision for the future and the ability to lead change. There is no specific duration of experience specified, but candidates should: 1) have both a national reputation for innovative management and leadership and a demonstrable record of fostering excellence in research, teaching, and service related to journalism and or media; 2) demonstrate personal integrity and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of constituencies; 3) be prepared to recognize and support the diverse missions of the school which educates both undergraduate and graduate students, and advocate for faculty, staff, and students to successfully operate in the context of a large public research university; 4) show potential as an effective fundraiser; 5) demonstrate the ability to be a strong advocate for the school both within and outside the academic environment and 6) be committed to engagement with local, state, national and international communities.  

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has retained Buffkin/Baker, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in strict confidence to: 

Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Buffkin/Baker
10 Cadillac Drive, Suite 190
Brentwood, TN 37027
martin@buffkinbaker.com

Applications will be held in strict confidence. The search will remain open until filled, however, for optimal consideration, application materials should be received by November 17, 2021, at which time the search committee will begin reviewing applications.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. The Hussman School of Journalism and Media at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) seeks to fill the position of Dean of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media.