Job Description
Wolzien Visiting Professor of the Practice in Research Informed Communication Job No: 498250
Work Type: Faculty Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Faculty
As the University's largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 5,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer masters or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The diverse scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today's global society.
The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Denver offers students a robust understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society. With its emphasis on developing strong communication skills across various platforms and its grounding in the critical evaluation of media practices, the department's offerings prepare students for the pursuit of excellence in the constantly evolving media, film, strategic communication, and journalism professions. The Department offers undergraduates degrees in film studies and production, journalism studies, media studies, and strategic communication (public relations/affairs, health communication, and political communication). At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Arts in media and public communication (strategic communication or media and globalization emphasis) and a Master of Arts in international and intercultural communication.
Position Summary The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies invites applications for a nine-month appointment as the Wolzien Visiting Professor of the Practice in Research Informed Communication. The person hired in this position will teach three courses over three quarters at the University of Denver. The department seeks an accomplished professional and/or scholar in political communication, health communication, or strategic communication. The candidate should possess national/ global experience and an understanding of issues facing media . Also critical is a commitment to championing inclusion, diversity, access, innovation, research, and public engagement. Typically, the Visiting Professor would be expected to take a leave from their daily work duties and devote themselves to teaching, mentoring, and being involved in the DU community. However, applicants who have ongoing "projects" involving professional work that would inform their teaching and who would be willing to involve students in their projects are strongly encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate will teach three face-to-face in person courses over three quarters during the 2026-2027 academic year. Two courses will be in their area of specialty and will be delivered to MFJS majors (e.g., Global Health and Development Communication; Strategic Communication Planning, Messaging or Seminar; Media and Politics; Audience Research Methods; Social Media Strategies; Health Communication; Global Communication etc.); and one general course will be open to undergraduates from across the University and will focus on common curriculum requirements or the collection, analysis, and presentation of information to a range of audiences. Candidates are also encouraged to propose special topics based on their area of expertise.
Prior teaching experience at the college level is not required.
The department will provide a graduate assistant to help with teaching and/or research.
The expectation is that the successful candidate will keep travel to a minimum, spending the bulk of their time in residence at DU. Visiting Professors are considered full-time faculty who are on campus most of the time, attend faculty gatherings, attend University events, and participate in intellectual and social life at DU.
Essential Functions - Teach three in person, on-campus courses across 3 academic quarters;
- Regularly interact with DU students, faculty and staff through critiques of student work, guest visits to classes, and by serving as a career mentor to students.
- Supervise student experiential learning projects involving research informed communication in their courses.
- Deliver two public lectures focusing on their work, the state of their industry, or another important topic related to their area of expertise. They will also interact with University faculty from other disciplines and may guest lecture in other units, as determined by their areas of expertise.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse student and community populations.
- Ability to teach 3 in-person courses during the 2026-2027 AY
- Ability to deliver 2 public lectures
- Willingness to interact with students and faculty as an in-person professor of the practice.
Required Qualifications - BA and 7 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications - National recognition as a leader in the area of expertise as evidenced by awards, reputation, or other professional achievements in the field
- 5-10+ years of professional experience
- Prior experience teaching
Working Environment - Standard office environment.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities - Ability to work in front of a computer for an extended period.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance.
Work Schedule While the University's administrative offices are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar ).
Application Deadline Priority consideration of applications will begin on
September 22 nd , the posting will close at
4:00pm (MST) on October 1, 2025. Special Instructions Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade The salary grade for this position is UC.
Salary Range: The salary range for this nine (9) month position is $55,000-$60,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.
Benefits: The University of Denver offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .
Please include the following documents with your application: - Letter of Interest that describes teaching interests and other qualifications, including a statement about the significance of the candidate's work
- Curriculum Vitae/resume
- Teaching Philosophy
- Sample list of courses with a brief description (one paragraph or less) the candidate could teach to MFJS students and a "research-based communication" course open to non-majors
- Names and contact information for three references that the committee can contact
- Previous teaching evaluations if available (not required for candidates without teaching experience)
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement .
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Job Tags
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