Visiting Professor of Game Studies and Digital Storytelling

Visiting Professor of Game Studies and Digital Storytelling

Lane College - Jackson, TN 38301

Overview

Salary Range $35,000.00 - $50,000.00 Salary Position Type Full Time Education Level Graduate Degree Category Education

Description

Job Title: Visiting Professor of Game Studies and Digital Storytelling

Department: Academic Affairs

Reports To: Communication and Media Studies Department

Job Type: Full Time

Location: Lane College

Availability: Fall 2026

Job Purpose and Reporting Structure

Lane College is seeking a full-time faculty position in Game Studies and Digital Storytelling. The successful candidate will teach a 4-4 course load focused on digital media production, storytelling, and the critical and cultural study of games. This position will contribute to the development of a Game Studies curriculum that supports the College's emerging esports initiative, which is led by the Department of Athletics. While this role does not oversee the esports program, the faculty member will design and teach courses that provide the academic, theoretical, and creative foundation for students interested in gaming, interactive media, and related industries. The successful candidate will help develop courses such as Introduction to Game Studies, Game Theory and Strategy, and Story Development and Interactive Media, as well as other offerings that connect game design, narrative systems, and digital storytelling. This position is ideal for a candidate who enjoys working closely with students, teaching applied media skills, and contributing to the growth of an interdisciplinary academic area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Faculty are expected to:

• Teaching Load 12 credit hours (4-4) with Summer School teaching available as an option
• Deliver high-quality instruction in game studies, digital storytelling, and media production
• Maintain regular office hours
• Assess student learning outcomes
• Support departmental assessment and accreditation processes
• Mentor students in creative and analytical media projects
• Participate in curriculum development, particularly in Game Studies
• Incorporate hands-on, project-based, and experiential learning approaches

Game Studies Curriculum Development

The successful candidate will be responsible for building and supporting a Game Studies academic area, including:

• Designing and implementing courses in Game Studies and interactive storytelling
• Developing curriculum that examines games as cultural, narrative, and media systems
• Supporting interdisciplinary connections between gaming, media production, and communication
• Creating opportunities for students to analyze, critique, and produce game-related content
• Aligning coursework with industry trends in gaming, streaming, and interactive media

Esports Program Support (Academic Integration Only)

In collaboration with Athletics and campus partners, the faculty member will:

• Provide academic support for the esports initiative through relevant coursework
• Support student-led media coverage of esports events (e.g., streaming, commentary, content creation)
• Collaborate with Athletics, Student Affairs, and IT as appropriate
• Contribute to experiential learning opportunities connected to esports media production

Note: The competitive esports program is housed in Athletics. This role supports the academic and media components only.

Service Responsibilities

Faculty service responsibilities include:

• Serve as an academic advisor to Media Arts students, including degree planning and course selection
• Participate in departmental and institutional committees
• Support program development initiatives
• Assist with student recruitment and retention
• Participate in campus events and outreach

Support student organizations related to media, gaming, and storytelling

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• MA, MFA, or PhD in Media Arts, Communications, Game Studies, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in digital media production and/or storytelling
• Ability to teach multiple areas of media production and theory
• Strong understanding of digital content workflows
• Demonstrated interest in game studies, interactive media, or gaming culture
• Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD, MFA, or equivalent)
• College-level teaching experience
• Experience with:
• Game studies, game analysis, or interactive storytelling
• Live streaming production
• OBS or similar streaming software
• Video editing platforms (Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, etc.)
• Audio production workflows
• Broadcast or studio production
• Gaming culture or esports media ecosystems
• Experience supervising student media teams
• Experience developing new academic programs or curriculum
• Experience working at small colleges or teaching-focused institutions

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Portfolio or links to digital media or game-related work (if available)
• Contact information for three professional references

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. It requires some walking and the ability to climb stairs, possibly sitting for long periods of time, and the ability to lift up to 10lbs. 1% of the time and minimum travel. Some nights and weekends may be needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Lane College is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected status.