Job Description

The Division of Journalism seeks candidates for a professor of practice position to teach in the division's popular Fashion Media program beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will join the division at an exciting period of expansion and innovation, and the successful candidate must be an engaged teacher and mentor with significant industry experience in storytelling across current and emerging platforms.

Specifically, we seek candidates with a backing in social media content production, ideally with experience concepting and executing multi-media fashion-related content and promotion. Ideally, individuals will have worked for fashion and lifestyle outlets or brands and be familiar with audience engagement techniques. Depending on their background, we anticipate the new hire might teach classes like Fashion & Digital Culture, Fashion Promotion and Fashion Journalism and will develop the social media production courses and lead content creation labs. Previous teaching experience is preferred but not required.

We are especially interested in candidates who bring a collaborative spirit, a commitment to ethical and inclusive storytelling across creative media for current and emerging platforms (including social media and experiential events), a willingness to share their professional networks as part of their work with students, and the ability to develop internships and media partnerships.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a fashion-, communication- or journalism-related field required; a Master’s degree is preferred but not required.
• Five years producing storytelling content within the fashion and lifestyle related realms
• Content-creation experience with a national or international brand
• Ability to teach classes both hands-on and theoretical courses involving fashion promotion and social media content creation.

We're especially interested in hearing from applicants who have:

• Prior collegiate-level teaching experience
• Significant fashion or lifestyle brand experience
• A passion for both emerging technologies like AI and traditional media like magazines

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following materials via Interfolio at this link: https://apply.interfolio.com/191547

1. A formal letter of application addressing teaching philosophy and interest in this position
2. A C.V.
3. A professional portfolio or website link showing past work including campaigns
4. A list of three references with contact information (references will not be contacted without the applicant's knowledge).

To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be received by Nov. 13, 2026, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. The committee will notify applicants of the employment decision after the position is filled. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. Questions may be directed to the search chair, Jenny Davis, at jennydavis@smu.edu.

SMU is a private university dedicated to academic excellence. Located in Dallas, SMU maintains a moderate size of 12,000 students. SMU is designated as a preferred employer in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, one of the most prolific high-tech industrial centers in the country. The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is a multi-faceted business and engineering community, offering exceptional museums, diverse cultural attractions and a vibrant economy. Dallas’ quality of life is exceptional with a relatively low cost of living, upscale apartments and homes within walking distance of campus, the opportunity to live in the city or out in the country with a relatively short commute, and the availability of both mass transit systems and plentiful on-campus parking.

Founded in 1969, the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University is one of the foremost arts and communication education institutions in the United States. The Meadows School offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Advertising, Art, Art History, Arts and Non-Profit Leadership, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Creative Computation, Dance, Design and Innovation, Film and Media Arts, Game Development, Journalism, Music, and Theatre. The Meadows School is a leader in curricular innovation and challenges its students to make a difference locally and globally through building vital connections between the arts and society. The Meadows School of the Arts is also a convener for the arts in North Texas, serving as a catalyst for new collaborations and providing critical industry research.

The Division of Journalism, housed within Meadows School of the Arts, is a forward-thinking community of scholars and professionals that offers degrees in Fashion Media and Journalism, along with business and sports journalism concentrations. Visit us at https://www.smu.edu/meadows/areasofstudy/journalism/undergraduatestudies/fashionmediaba

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.