Baylor University invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media in the College of Arts & Sciences. The successful candidate will be eligible for appointment with tenure at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor (advanced) and will bring a record of leadership, collaboration, and commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Baylor University is a Research 1 (R1) institution, and the department seeks a leader who understands and supports a dynamic balance of teaching excellence, impactful scholarship, and professional engagement.
The Department Chair serves as the academic and administrative leader of the department and reports to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. The Chair will articulate and advance a clear vision for the department’s future, support faculty and student success, and represent the department to internal and external stakeholders.
The department seeks a visionary, collaborative leader who will empower faculty to prepare highly competent, socially conscious, and engaged communication professionals. The Chair will foster a collegial and inclusive environment while advancing the department’s strategic priorities in teaching, research, and professional engagement.
Key responsibilities include:
Candidates who are outside of the United States and do not have other nonimmigrant visa status will not be sponsored for an H-1B petition.
About the Department: Baylor University’s Department of Journalism, Public Relations, and New Media prepares students for leadership in a quickly changing media world. The department emphasizes ethical practices, critical thinking, professional skills, and innovative storytelling and strategic communication methods.
We offer three undergraduate majors: advertising and public relations; multimedia journalism, with tracks in writing and reporting, broadcast journalism, and visual media; and sports media, with tracks in writing and reporting, as well as advertising and public relations. These programs replace the department’s former journalism major, which included five concentrations: news editorial, public relations, advertising, photojournalism, and broadcast journalism. Each program focuses on practical experience and includes a capstone portfolio and internships.
We are ACEJMC accredited and will celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2027.
About Baylor University: Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas and is the oldest college in the state. It has a diverse student population of 21,000 and is recognized as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification. Baylor is also noted on the honor roll of "Great Colleges to Work For" by ModernThink. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, allowing faculty and staff to live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. As a Christian university with historic Baptist roots and as reflected in the Notice of Non-Discrimination, Baylor strives to be a place characterized by civility and respect. We believe each student, faculty, staff, and administrator is made in the image of God. Baylor's new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds, guides the University as it continues its mission of educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
To apply, please submit the following materials through Interfolio:
Review of applications will begin October 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Nothing received after October 25, 2026 will be considered
For questions regarding the position, please contact search chair, Dr. James Kendrick, at James_Kendrick@baylor.edu
Baylor University, a private not-for-profit university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, is committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including those regarding age, race, color, sex, national origin, military service, genetic information, and disability. Baylor complies with statutory Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity requirements. Baylor's full official Notice of Non-Discrimination may be read online.
