Candidate should hold a master’s degree or higher in journalism, communication, or a related field, and have professional experience in journalism.

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University of Kentucky

College of Communication and Information

The School of Journalism and Media seeks applicants for a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Journalism with teaching and administrative duties. Teaching duties include serving as instructor of two courses per semester in news reporting, news editing, writing for mass media, advanced writing, AP style, and other journalism courses. Administrative duties include working with the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues as a writer, editor and researcher for IRJ publications, including The Rural Blog and Kentucky Health News. This is a non-tenure eligible, academic year (August through May), 9-month faculty appointment in the Lecturer Title Series with opportunity for summer pay. The successful candidate would be given a one-year contract with eligibility for renewal based on performance and the needs of the program.

The successful candidate should hold a master’s degree or higher in journalism, communication, or a related field, and have professional experience in journalism. Preferred qualifications include university-level teaching experience. In the case of an applicant with significant professional experience (more than 10 years in journalism), we may be able to petition for appointment without an advanced degree. Appointment at the level of Senior Lecturer may be considered if the successful applicant has at least six years of full-time university-level teaching experience and can demonstrate teaching excellence through a teaching portfolio.

Application review begins July 6, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. The anticipated start is August 16, 2026, or January 1, 2027. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Benjy Hamm, director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, at benjy.hamm@uky.edu.

The School of Journalism and Media is recognized for its accomplishments in academic scholarship and professional areas. The School offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in two areas of study: journalism (print/multimedia, broadcast/multimedia, sports/multimedia) and media arts and studies. The School is fully ACEJMC accredited and has served as the home for the Institute for Rural Journalism since 2004. The School also participates in the graduate program of the College that includes the M.A. and Ph.D. in communication.

Students learn first-hand working at the award-winning Kentucky Kernel newspaper, KRNL Lifestyle and Fashion magazine, WRFL, WUKY and newscasts produced by our classes, including Wildcat News and Big Blue Banter. School alumni include Pulitzer, Emmy, Murrow, and Oscar winners and current media makers with ESPN, CBS, NBC, NPR, CNN, EA, The Washington Post, and local media outlets around the country.

The College of Communication and Information is comprised of two schools (School of Information Science and School of Journalism and Media), two departments (Department of Communication and Department of Integrated Strategic Communication), and interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs. More than 100 full-time faculty teach 2,400 undergraduate majors and 450 graduate students while also teaching in the university’s core curriculum and serving students pursuing minors and certificates in the college. The College also houses University of Kentucky’s independent Office of Student Media and the championship-winning UK Debate program.

Located in the vibrant city of Lexington, the University of Kentucky is a public, land-grant institution that plays a critical leadership role in promoting economic development and human well-being. The campus is home to 37,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty members, and 14,000 staff members. The university is one of just eight in the country with a major academic health center and a full spectrum of academic colleges and professional schools on one contiguous campus. As such, the University of Kentucky is an incubator for interdisciplinary research. These collaborations allow researchers to address the rapidly changing needs of a global society.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with various rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits.

Lexington is a city that truly has something for everyone. In 2024, the City of Lexington was named as one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 5 Best Small Cities in the U.S.” and was also ranked as a “Top 25 U.S. City with the Best Quality of Life” by Forbes, making Lexington a great place to not only live but also work and study. With a population of roughly 330,000, Lexington offers both the warmth and lower cost of living of a small city and the amenities you would enjoy in a larger city, including the arts, cultural events, and a thriving dining scene. https://www.visitlex.com/

Application materials include: a letter of application, a curriculum vita, evidence of teaching excellence, and contact information for three references when prompted in the application. Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent.

Application materials include:
1. Letter of application (attached as Cover Letter)
2. Curriculum Vita
3. Evidence of teaching excellence (attached as Specific Request 1)
4. Contact information for three references when prompted in the application process.
*Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent.

Preferred qualifications include university-level teaching experience. In the case of an applicant with significant professional experience (more than 10 years in journalism), we may be able to petition for appointment without an advanced degree. Appointment at the level of Senior Lecturer may be considered if the successful applicant has at least six years of full-time university-level teaching experience and can demonstrate teaching excellence through a teaching portfolio.

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.