Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications

Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

We will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to those materials received by November 9, 2026. Applications should consist of a letter summarizing motivation, relevant leadership experience, and qualifications and a detailed curriculum vitae.

To apply, click “Apply for this Job,” complete the faculty application form, and upload the following materials:

The names and contact information for at least three professional references will be requested from candidates who advance to the interview stages.

Questions and nominations can be sent in confidence, to:

Kathy Farrell, Search Chair

James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean, College of Business

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

and

Allison Wortmann

Academic Personnel and HR Specialist

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high performing and collaborative workforce. UNL is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success where every person and every interaction matters. The University is proud to be one of Nebraska’s preferred and largest employers where individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Position Information

 Position Information 

EEO Statement  | The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See: Notice of Nondiscrimination
Working Title  | Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Department  | Journalism & Mass Comm-0908
Requisition Number  | F_260115
Posting Open Date  | 10/05/2026
Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date)  | 11/09/2026
Posting Close Date  |
Open Until Filled  | Yes
Description of Work  | The College of Journalism and Mass CommunicationsThe College of Journalism and Mass Communications is an inclusive community of faculty and staff committed to providing a top-quality, hands-on education to emerging professionals in advertising, broadcasting, journalism, public relations, and sports media and communication. The college is an important contributor to education, research, creative activity and outreach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The faculty upholds the core principles of journalism and mass communication education and seeks to be leaders in the evolving communications environment. Through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, the college educates ethical, socially responsible, well-rounded, flexible, fair and quick-minded graduates who carry those traits into the world.

The strength of the college is exemplified by the success of its students and graduates and its numerous professional partnerships. The college is one of 11 chosen to be part of the Carnegie-Knight Initiative on the Future of Journalism and the only collegiate recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Grand Prize. Its students have consistently finished in the top 10 in the Hearst Journalism Awards annual competition; this year, students won 1st and 3rd place in the National Writing Championship. The college was also the 2022 national champion in the Public Relations Student Society of America Bateman Case Study Competition.

The college programs have been nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications since 1972 and are the only accredited journalism offerings in the state of Nebraska. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that prepare students for careers in a wide range of media positions. Enrollment in the college is approximately 1,100 undergraduate and 75 graduate students. Students experience a variety of special hands-on learning opportunities including: The Experience Lab where students gain hands-on experience working with faculty liaisons and professional mentors, building on their academic skill set while exploring their professional interests in one of the college’s media outlets; first-year learning communities; Jacht, a student-run advertising agency; 90.3 KRNU, a student-run FM radio station that just underwent an equipment upgrade; the Nebraska News Service, which provides state government coverage for smaller Nebraska newspapers and radio stations; an annual international photojournalism trip; investigative depth reporting such as a recent investigation into the Nebraska prison system; and an advertising and a public relations national competition team.

The college has 35 full-time faculty members plus a large number of highly qualified part-time faculty from industry. The college faculty includes two Pulitzer Prize winners, recipients of Emmys in broadcasting and a National Gold ADDY award honoree. The journalism faculty includes veterans from Business Week, the Miami Herald, the Detroit News, ProPublica and the Tampa Bay Times. The broadcast faculty includes individuals who have held key positions with news stations in Omaha, Kansas City, and San Francisco. The advertising and public relations faculty includes former executives at Leo Burnett, J. Walter Thompson, IGN Entertainment, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The OpportunityThe University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks an innovative, inspiring and forward-looking academic leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. The incoming Dean will have the opportunity to direct the vision of an energetic and engaged faculty, staff and student population. The new Dean will enjoy the advantages of a growing endowment with strong alumni and media support.

The college’s educational experience is grounded in experiential learning, giving students meaningful opportunities to apply their skills in professional, real-world settings through strong connections with media, industry, and community partners. The Dean will have the unique opportunity to lead curricular innovation during a time of rapid change in journalism, media and communication and help define the future of the profession.

The college looks to an exciting future under the direction of an outstanding leader to further broaden and deepen its impact.
The PositionThe Dean reports directly to the Executive Vice Chancellor and is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. The Dean has the responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, financial, fundraising, and management operations that support the mission and vision of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and its role within the university and across the state. The Dean will join a group of fellow deans and campus leaders who are collaborative, supportive and committed. The Dean works alongside campus leaders to advance the values and mission of the university, ensuring the College’s efforts are in alignment with the overall priorities and goals.

The incoming Dean will: Have the opportunity to define and implement the college’s next strategic vision with the input of talented faculty, staff, students, alumni and external advisory boards; Further the development of a relevant and distinctive identity for the college; Serve as a public voice to develop the reputation of the college externally on national and international stages, within the profession and private industry; Assure the continued prominence of the faculty by prioritizing the recruiting and retention of distinguished faculty at all levels; Support and engage staff, encourage their growth, and ensure they play an active role in the College’s success and future. Cultivate academic programs that demonstrate professional relevance, impact, and sustainability, and champion the distinct, yet interconnected disciplines in the college; Work to fully realize and enact the college and university commitment to community and belonging, ensuring that all individuals and interactions matter; Seek out and continue valuable collaborations with other academic units and partners; Promote and support a strong research and creative activity agenda, including attracting external funding from federal agencies, corporations and foundations and continue to grow the College’s portfolio by expanding partnerships and pursuing new opportunities; Appreciate and foster the dual mission of research/creative activity and teaching to maintain an academic and professional focus; Assure that the college continues to serve its students with academic programs of the highest quality and effectiveness, promoting and sustaining practices for experiential learning, student success, persistence, retention, graduation and placement; Continue an upward trajectory of enrollment in the college; Engage alumni and other external supporters to advance the mission of the college; Take a leading role in attracting interested donors to support the college’s mission; and Be an engaged academic leader at the university, working collaboratively and advancing the overall mission and priorities of the campus.
Minimum Required Qualifications  | Candidate ProfileSuccessful candidates will have deep experience in and awareness of both the professions and academia and will bring a record of achievement that reflects a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and creative activity, and the public and professional impact of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Specifically, candidates should demonstrate: A Ph.D. or terminal degree in a related discipline with an outstanding record of scholarly or creative achievement and/or an outstanding record of experience in the industry, with accomplishments commensurate with the rank of full professor in the college. A track record of successful leadership in a complex academic, professional, or organizational environment, including experience leading diverse, multifaceted teams or organizations; a significant record of success as an administrator whose credibility, communication skills and collaborative management style can energize a dynamic college. A deep understanding of the academic enterprise and shared governance that clearly informs decision-making. Strong business and financial acumen, including a focus on managing resources and aligning investments with institutional priorities. The ability to cultivate academic programs, research and creative activity that demonstrate professional relevance, impact, sustainability and champion the distinct, yet interconnected disciplines in the college. A record of building effective and collaborative relationships with a broad range of constituencies both across the university and with community partners and external audiences. A strong commitment to student success, fostering access consistent with UNL’s mission as a land-grant institution. A commitment to recruiting, supporting, and retaining an accomplished faculty and staff, and cultivating an inclusive campus community. An understanding, capacity, and enthusiasm to advance development and fundraising activities. The highest level of integrity.
Preferred Qualifications  | Additional Attributes

A highly qualified candidate will also: Embody the role of advocate and champion for the College within the University setting and in the broader communities statewide and nationally. Possess and model a bold, creative, and systems-thinking approach that focuses on integrative solutions to complex problems. Take bold, courageous risks to achieve excellence. Cultivate a vision for the future by enthusiastically embracing new ideas and thinking beyond what is known today. Demonstrate comfort with and knowledge of the range of disciplines and scholarship represented through the college. Model an ethic of care and cultural consciousness for all college constituents, with a visible and accessible presence. Listen actively and model feedback to foster transparency, awareness, and understanding of decisions and outcomes throughout the college. Exhibit an authentic curiosity and inspire others. Be energized to work in a complex organization and embrace the multifaceted needs of the college and university community, including students, staff, all faculty, and external partners. Embrace the challenges and unknowns of higher education today including the enrollment landscape and bring meaningful solutions for growing the reach and impact of the college. Have navigated technological changes, adapting curricula and/or research and creative activity for emerging media technologies and evolving digital platforms, such as AI.
Work Location (City, State)  | Lincoln, NE
Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required  |
Criminal History Background Check Required  | Yes
Posted Salary  |
How to Apply  | We will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to those materials received by November 9, 2026. Applications should consist of a letter summarizing motivation, relevant leadership experience, and qualifications and a detailed curriculum vitae.

To apply, click “Apply for this Job,” complete the faculty application form, and upload the following materials: Letter of interest. Curriculum vitae.  The names and contact information for at least three professional references will be requested from candidates who advance to the interview stages.

Questions and nominations can be sent in confidence, to:

Kathy Farrell, Search ChairJames Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean, College of BusinessUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln[email protected]
and

Allison WortmannAcademic Personnel and HR SpecialistUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln[email protected]
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high performing and collaborative workforce. UNL is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success where every person and every interaction matters. The University is proud to be one of Nebraska’s preferred and largest employers where individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.
For questions or accommodations related to this position contact  | For questions and assistance with the application process, contact Allison Wortmann, Academic Personnel and HR Specialist, at [email protected] or by phone at (402) 472-4175.
Job Category  |
Job Category (old)  | Academic Administrative
Job Type  | Full-Time
Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?  | No
If Temporary, indicate end date  |
Planned Hire Date  |
Appointment End Date  |
Organizational Location  | Default Location

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