Assistant Professor, Communications - Westfield State College : Job Details

Category:: Full-time Faculty Subscribe:: Department:: Academic Affairs - Liberal Arts Locations:: Lowell, MA Posted:: May 29, 2025 Closes:: Aug 5, 2025 - 11:59 PM EDT Type:: Full-time Position ID:: 188586

About Middlesex Community College:

Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education for a diverse community from all ethnic backgrounds and identities, preparing individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.

The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a culture of inclusion in which our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our diverse student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering. MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.

As an Affirmative Action employer, MCC strongly encourages members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence to apply.

Job Description:

Title: Assistant Professor, Communications

Unit: Full-Time MCCC Day Faculty

Department: Liberal Arts Division, Communication, Art, & Design Department

Reports to: Dean of Liberal Arts

Date: May 29, 2025 (Reopened July 22, 2025)

General Summary: The Communication, Art & Design Department at Middlesex Community College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Communication with a focus on Film and Television Production.

The successful candidate will be a film/TV industry professional with extensive on-set production experience, including areas such as cinematography, lighting, field and studio production, directing, and crew coordination. While a master's degree is traditionally preferred, we welcome applicants with substantial professional experience and industry-recognized training or credentials in lieu of a graduate degree.

We seek an instructor who is passionate about student-centered, hands-on learning, and who brings a strong commitment to equity and access in technical education. Applicants should be able to translate their real-world experience into collaborative, project-based coursework that prepares students for immediate workforce entry and career advancement.

Teaching Focus Areas May Include:

• Film Production
• Television Studio and Field Production
• Cinematography & Lighting
• Directing & Crew Leadership
• Editing and Post-Production (Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid, Final Cut Pro)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach a wide range of film/TV production courses using a hands-on, experiential approach
• Demonstrate and supervise safe, inclusive, and professional on-set practices
• Apply industry-standard tools and workflows in the classroom
• Develop instructional materials aligned with course and program learning outcomes
• Foster student collaboration through production teams and live projects
• Integrate DEIB principles into technical instruction and student assessment
• Advise and mentor students preparing for internships, festivals, or professional roles
• Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, and media-related micro-credentials
• Build or maintain partnerships with local and regional production companies
• Engage in professional development and college service

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Communication, Film/TV Production, Media Studies, or a closely related field
• 5-10 years of professional on-set experience on large-scale film and/or television productions (e.g., union productions, studio projects, network television, high-budget independent film)
• The Master's Degree requirement may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree with additional years of the necessary experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and workflows (e.g., cameras, lighting, Adobe Premiere, Avid, Final Cut)
• Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor students in hands-on production settings
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Experience or interest in equity-minded teaching practices
• Commitment to student success and continuous instructional improvement

Preferred Qualifications:

• College-level teaching experience, particularly in community colleges or workforce development settings
• Experience with micro-credential or certificate program development
• Familiarity with hybrid and online teaching (Blackboard LMS a plus)
• Connections to local or national film/TV networks that support student career opportunities
• Bilingual skills

Additional Information:

Please note, the faculty rank of Assistant Professor may be subject to change in accordance with Article XVII of the MCCC Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Salary Range: $54,201 is the starting salary for Column A under the MCCC 2025 Salary Grids for an Assistant Professor with a Bachelor's Degree; actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:

• High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
• Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
• Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Location: Lowell or Bedford campus with occasional travel to the other as needed

Expected Start Date: Fall Semester, 2025

Application Deadline: August 5, 2025

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

All offers of employment at Middlesex Community College are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates, as deemed necessary.

Middlesex Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

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