Assistant Professor of Film, Video and Digital Media Production

The Department of Communication in the School of Humanities at Messiah University invites applications for a term-tenure track assistant professor position in Film, Video and Digital Media Production beginning August 2021.

Responsibilities: The preferred candidate is an active filmmaker who will teach a range of introductory and upper-level courses in film/digital editing and production, including courses in advanced editing and effects, film and HD production, sound, stop-motion animation, screenwriting, and other related topics, as well as a senior capstone course in the university’s interdisciplinary digital media major.  Proficiency in and ability to teach Final Cut, Premiere Pro and other Adobe applications, DaVinci Resolve, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Avid, and Dragonframe is preferred. The candidate will mentor students with individual and class projects, prepare students for professional careers in the field, and collaborate with other creative programs across campus. Contributions to the continuing development of undergraduate programming in digital humanities and significant input regarding facilities and equipment planning and decision-making are also expected. Ability to teach in the university’s general education program in areas such as non-Western topics or first-year seminars is a plus.

Qualifications: An MFA or PHD in a related discipline is required. Evidence of excellence in teaching and a creative portfolio are expected, as is evidence that the faculty member can support the University’s mission and identity as a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Candidates selected for further consideration will be asked to submit a sample of work via URL, a teaching philosophy statement, a sample syllabus, a statement of faith, and three letters of recommendation.

The Program: Messiah’s major in film and media arts focuses on helping students develop as filmmakers and industry professionals by grounding them in aesthetics, theory, history, writing, narrative development, and production skills. An emphasis on student collaboration over competition is prioritized. Both Messiah University’s film and media arts major and digital media major are accredited by NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design). The University as a whole is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. For more information, please visit https://www.messiah.edu/undergraduate/film-and-media-arts-major

The Department: The Messiah University Department of Communication values a holistic, liberal arts approach to our discipline. We adapt to trends and developments in communication as we stress the intellectual development, spiritual awareness, moral integrity and global citizenship of our students. The department’s mission is to educate students to become more competent, creative, and compassionate communicators in the realms of rhetorical, relational, mediated and visual communication. Fostering connections between Christian faith and the student of communication in personal, vocation and public life, we believe that communication can be used to solve human problems, promote meaningful relationships, bridge cultural divides, produce effective messages, and improve the quality of human life.

The University: Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences and has a student body of just over 2,600 undergraduate students, including 15.4% of under-represented and 3.1% international students from 27 countries, and over 750 graduate students, including over 17.3% of students from under-represented populations

The University affirms the historic Apostle’s Creed as its central statement of faith. In addition, Messiah asks that all community members support the Confession of Faith which expresses the faith orientation of the University in a nonsectarian manner that highlights the specific emphases of the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Faith. Our mission is to education men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. Messiah University is a teaching institution that emphasizes instruction but values research and public service. The University gives strong support to faculty development in teaching and scholarship.

Diversity: The University seeks to create a work environment and organizational culture that reflects and appreciates the uniqueness that the individual brings to the workplace while striving to provide an atmosphere of success. Messiah’s strategic plan includes a commitment to community engagement in diverse settings and the development of cross-cultural competencies as well as a commitment to developing a comprehensive and integrated approach to global engagement. As such, Messiah University is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body. Successful candidates will evidence similar commitments.

Starting Date for Position: August 2021

Compensation: Salary and rank commensurate with qualifications and experience

Applications/Nominations: Application materials will be reviewed upon receipt and will be accepted until the position is filled. Please provide a current curriculum vitae or resume as well as a letter of interest that clearly explains how your Christian faith represents a strong fit with the mission of Messiah University, which is “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” Also, please provide transcripts and a personal statement of Christian faith.  All applications materials must be submitted via the following link:  https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/18126

Vitae Instructions to Applicants: Curriculum vitae must include: (1) education, (2) previous employment history, (3) scholarly and professional accomplishments (e.g., papers, publications, film festival acceptances, interactive video installations in conventional and non-conventional spaces, dissemination on websites and/or various multimedia portals, creative workshops, collaborative projects with students and faculty, and more), (4) membership in scholarly, professional or honor societies, and (5) awards and honors received.

Messiah University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color,  sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, or veteran’s status in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs. Consistent with our nondiscrimination statement, the University does not tolerate abuse or harassment of employees, students or other individuals associated with the University. This includes, but is not limited to, vendors, contractors, and guests on the basis of, but not limited to, any of the above categories.