Position Title:

Director of Center for Information and Communication Sciences

Compensation:

130,000 to 155,000

Department:

CCIM Deans Office

About this opportunity:

Director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences
Ball State University is seeking applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) within the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) to begin no later than July 1, 2026. We seek an innovative and collaborative leader to take the Center to the next level of growth and successes. The new Director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) within the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) at Ball State University will provide academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for a nationally recognized, interdisciplinary on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate programs that integrate technology, business, and leadership. The Director will manage space, budget and resources, promote the professional development of faculty and staff, evaluate all faculty and staff, guide the promotion and tenure of faculty members, support student success for undergraduate and graduate students, establish and grow interdepartmental collaborations, and maintain strong industry partnerships. This position reports to the Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM).
About the Center
Situated within the College of Communication, Information, and Media, the Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) is at the nexus of technology, business, and leadership, applying these competencies across industry, government, education, and nonprofit organizations. For over four decades, the Information and Communication Sciences (ICS) master’s degree program has prepared graduates to meet the needs of virtually any organization in today’s knowledge society driven by an information economy. With over 2,000 alumni in leadership roles and successful careers, graduates achieve a job placement rate of over 90% in a wide range of private and public organizations and are regularly recruited by Fortune 500 companies with alumni reporting significant increases in salary and opportunities soon after graduation.
The Master of Arts in Career and Technical Education program emphasizes how technology impacts workforce development, instructional systems, and the future of work. The graduate program in the Director of Career and Technical Education Licensure leads to an Indiana administrative license for those seeking to become a career center director. In the past five years, the Center also welcomed the Computer and Information Technology and Applied Cybersecurity undergraduate programs. In addition to the academic programs the Center also provides a broad ranging Student Social Learning Program to help students as they grow professionally.
The new Director will have the opportunity to evolve this student-centered unit to the next set of opportunities and successes.
For more information and the Center visit: https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/cics
About the College of Communication, Information, and Media
The Center is housed within the College of Communication, Information, and Media
(CCIM) – one of the largest and most technologically advanced communication colleges in the United States. CCIM prepares students for fulfilling careers as ethical practitioners and scholars through exceptional educational and experiential learning opportunities. CCIM redefines the intersection of communication and technology while emphasizing the importance of human interaction. Students in the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, Department of Communication Studies, Department of Media, and School of Journalism and Strategic Communication gain essential skills to procure the best jobs prior to graduation. The Ball State Public Media program has also formally joined CCIM. This has deepened the already rich engagement Ball State PBS, Indiana Public Radio, and CCIM have shared. The CCIM Office of Student Success and Belonging is fully committed to enhancing student outcomes and experiences throughout their academic journey. CCIM students know how to adapt quickly to a diverse and ever-changing global job market to ensure fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.
CCIM students:
• Provide outreach and leadership in the technology industry.
• Operate a wide spectrum of media organizations focused on broadcast news (NewsLink Indiana), long-form journalism (Ball Bearings Magazine), multi-media news/features (Byte), newspaper publication (The Ball State Daily News), and radio (WCRD).
• Create films, produce sports content and telecasts of sporting events for ESPN and other media partners, and work with Ball State’s National Public Radio and PBS stations.
• Operate their own strategic communication, public relations, and media sales agency (The McKinley Avenue Agency).
• Develop exceptional argumentation, advocacy, and research skills by participating in nationally competitive speech and debate teams.
Beyond its emphasis on collaborative, experiential learning, CCIM is at the forefront of future technology. The college integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its curriculum, equipping students with the advanced skills necessary for navigating a rapidly evolving digital landscape. This forward-thinking approach ensures that CCIM graduates are well-prepared to lead and innovate in an increasingly digital world.
About Ball State University
Ball State University serves approximately 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students across seven academic colleges with about 190 undergraduate programs. Ball State offers more than 140 certificates and master’s, doctoral, and specialist degrees, many of them ranking among the best in the nation. Originally founded to meet the need for more and better teachers, Ball State has earned dual Carnegie Classifications as a Research 2 (R2) and an Opportunity College & University (OCU)—recognitions that reflect the University’s impact in both research and student success. Ball State is one of just 27 institutions nationwide—and the only one in Indiana—to receive both distinctions. It serves as one of Indiana’s public research institutions while remaining committed to empowering its graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.
For 107 years, Ball State has had an unwavering belief in an education rooted Daniel Chester French, Beneficence, 1937 in innovation, enduring values, and intellectual curiosity. The institution was founded on the beneficence of the Ball brothers, who gave back to the community
that gave them so much. They purchased the land and buildings of a defunct institution and donated them to the State of Indiana. This gift became the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division, which opened in 1918. To recognize the Ball family’s generosity, the Indiana General Assembly changed the institution’s name to Ball Teachers College in 1922 and then Ball State Teachers College in 1929. By the 1960s, the regional teachers college had begun to attract faculty from outside the Midwest. In 1965, the Indiana General Assembly renamed the college Ball State University, acknowledging its phenomenal growth in enrollment and facilities, the variety and quality of its educational programs and services, and the anticipation of the broader role it would play in the state’s future.
What began as a teachers college has grown into a world-class University with highly respected programs in education, architecture, business, communications, fine arts, sciences, humanities, and the health professions. Symbolized by the statue Beneficence, our enduring values -excellence, integrity, inclusiveness, innovation, courage, social responsibility, and gratitude - guide us today and will endure as we enter a bright future.

What you'll do and what you'll bring:

Director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences

The Director of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) within the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) at Ball State University provides academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for a nationally recognized, interdisciplinary on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate programs that integrate technology, business, and leadership. The Director manages space, budget and resources, promotes the professional development of faculty and staff, evaluates all faculty and staff, guides the promotion and tenure of faculty members, establishes and grows interdepartmental collaborations, and maintains strong industry partnerships. This position reports to the Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM).

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Acts as chief academic and administrative officer of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, a multidisciplinary unit within CCIM. Builds strategic vision and objectives to guide program innovation, continued Center growth, and success for faculty, staff, and students.

• Strategically leads the ground and online academic programs and inspires students through industry collaborations. Builds a culture within the Center that embodies innovation, collaboration, relevancy, and support of student growth and learning.

• Maintains and acts as principal liaison with program advisory boards composed of alumni and other professionals working in business, governmental, and other organizations

• Manages space and resources devoted to the Center, and advocates for growth. Acts as a responsible and accountable fiscal agent of the Center and prepares budgetary proposals and plans.

• Supervise and evaluate all faculty and staff.

• Ensure and provide appropriate support, training, and professional development opportunities for all faculty and staff.

• Generates outside funding that supports the Center’s activities. Consulting work within the industry is supported for the purposes of industry engagement with the Center.

• Supervises the activities of the research Institutes within the Center.

• Collaborates with our active alumni base to support student learning and career opportunities post-graduation.

• Teaches a minimum of two courses annually in the Center and participates in university, college, and Center service opportunities.

• Advocates for faculty members in matters concerning promotion, tenure, special leaves, release time, load, etc. Encourages and assists faculty members in maintaining their academic and scholarly credentials and supports them in their service and development objectives.

• Is responsible for all matters relating to planning, appointment, evaluation, salary distribution, promotion, and tenure of faculty members and staff, within the guidelines adopted by the Center, college, and university.

• Directs the marketing, recruiting, social media efforts, and ICS social learning program of the Center to continue to build the Center’s reputation and student success.

• Develops and submits required CCIM reporting including, but not limited to, budgets, load plans, course plans, marketing and recruiting plans, annual reports, bi-annual strategic plan updates, faculty community service reports, space utilization reports, and technology plans.

• Assures curricular alignment, innovation, and quality.

• Directs the marketing, recruiting, social media efforts, and ICS social learning program of the Center to continue to build the Center’s reputation and student success.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned terminal degree in Information and Communication Sciences, Media, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a closely related field, from an accredited institution of higher education by date of employment.

• Evidence of a scholarly record that would qualify the applicant for tenure and the rank of at least associate professor

• Evidence of effective teaching in higher education

• Experience in pursuing and acquiring research funding

• Demonstrated ability to articulate and champion a compelling vision that unites faculty, staff, and students in shaping the intersection of technology, leadership, and communication

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build trust, establish collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and students, and ensure broad-based support for decisions, plans, and initiatives

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain partnerships with industry and the professional community

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred rank of full professor or ability to earn full professor with Ball State standards

• Five years of progressive leadership experience in higher education

• Successful leadership experience in promotion and tenure processes

• Successful leadership experience in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining faculty and staff

• Experience with budget management and strategic planning

• Deep understanding of current and emerging trends in information technology, communication, leadership

How to apply:

Application Process Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Dr. Weiwu Zhang, Search Committee Chair, at Weiwu.zhang@bsu.edu or 765-285-6100.

Please follow upload instructions to attach all of the required supporting documents listed below: NOTE: Do not use the Autofill feature for resume:

• Curriculum Vitae

• A letter of interest addressing the themes in this leadership profile'

Applications must be received by March 27, 2026, at 12:01 AM.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. We do the same for you. In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.