When Dr. Bruce Mims retired last August from the Department of Mass Media, Dr. Kate Stepaniuc was taken on as an emergency hire for the multimedia journalism option to teach five classes. Her position is non-tenured and temporary.
Dr. Stepaniuc is originally from Moldova, a former Soviet republic. She was a volunteer reporter at a newspaper in her native country for five years — this is where she said she learned the most. She came to the United States in 2010 and earned her masters degree and doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi. She gained experience there as a teacher and media professional.
The university is looking to hire an instructor who will be non-tenured for the 2019-2020 academic year. Because of her academic degrees and professional experience, Dr. Stepaniuc is overqualified for this position and will need to move elsewhere to earn a salary that matches her credentials.
Sign this petition to get the university to change the position they seek to fill from being non-tenured to tenured to allow Dr. Kate Stepaniuc to continue thriving in the Mass Media Department.
