Assistant Professor of Graphic Design – Tenure Track

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Position Title:

Job Category:

Faculty

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Assistant Professor

Job Duties:

The Graphic Design unit at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point welcomes applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professorship in Graphic Design, beginning in January 2027. The position offers the opportunity to teach in and help shape a vibrant program at a student-centered teaching institution. The successful candidate should be an innovative graphic designer who is invested in preparing students for the complex, emerging challenges of the 21st century.

This position focuses heavily on undergraduate teaching in a program that integrates comprehensive technical training with a rigorous critical approach. The department, housed in the School of Design and Communication in the College of Fine Arts and Communication, is a strong, devoted community of practicing artists and designers committed to its students and collegiality. The ability to interface with faculty and students in Media Studies, Professional Communication, and Graphic Design is a significant aspect of the position. The new faculty member will collaborate in defining the trajectories of both the program and department, particularly at the intersection of visual communication and media studies.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Teach a 4/4 (1 hour 50 minute meeting times twice a week) undergraduate course load (typically 12 credits or 4 courses per semester). Classes include B.F.A. students, as well as non-majors, and are typically 3 credits each. Candidates are expected to be able to teach introductory, intermediate, and advanced Graphic Design courses.

Work collaboratively and serve as an active instructor and advisor.

Provide leadership, mentoring, and academic advising to undergraduate students.

Maintain an active design or studio practice that meets tenure expectations for creative research and scholarships at a comprehensive teaching institution.

Participate in service activities at the department, college, university, and community levels. Seek opportunities to integrate undergraduate students into creative research or community-based design projects.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

**Full position description is available upon request. **

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department:

This position focuses heavily on undergraduate teaching in a program that integrates comprehensive technical training with a rigorous critical approach. The department, housed in the School of Design and Communication in the College of Fine Arts and Communication, is a strong, devoted community of practicing artists and designers committed to its students and collegiality. The ability to interface with faculty and students in Art, Media Studies, Professional Communication, and Graphic Design is a significant aspect of the position. The new faculty member will collaborate in defining the trajectories of both the program and department, particularly at the intersection of visual communication and media studies.

Compensation:

The Assistant Professor of Graphic Design is a full-time, academic year (9 month), salaried, position.

UWSP has recently reassessed salaries across campus; this position (9-month) salary now has a ceiling of $70, 000, commensurate with qualifications and teaching experience. In addition to this, the position offers a comprehensive benefits package, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

To learn more about the benefits package, review the FASLI Benefit Quick Guide. Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.

Required Qualifications:

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree or equivalent terminal degree in Graphic Design or a closely related field.

Demonstrated technical expertise with industry standard software.

Demonstrated capacity to work with image and text, context and content relationships.

Effective written and verbal communications skills.

Demonstrated capacity to teach at all levels of an undergraduate Graphic Design program.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated ability to utilize current and emerging digital platforms.

Demonstrated ability to teach visual communication with an awareness of identity and cultural dialogue and its relevance to graphic design.

Demonstrated ability to teach any of the following: design foundations, typography, branding, marketing, promotions, public relations, copywriting, social media practice, illustration, book arts, time-based work, environmental graphic design, wayfinding, information design, publication, package design, user experience, and entrepreneurial approaches.

Professional industry experience.

Capacity to develop and write curriculum collaboratively.

How to Apply:

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Applications received by November 30 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.

Anticipated Start Date: January or August 2027

Files must be complete to be considered. Submission in PDF format is preferred for all attachments. Please include the following documents:

- Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience

- Resume/Curriculum Vitae

- Teaching Philosophy Statement

- Contact information for three professional references

- Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts will be required of finalist)
- Curated PDF portfolio of 20 student work samples
- Curated PDF portfolio of at least 20 professional or creative work samples

After you submit your application, you will be unable to edit it. Please be sure to include all required materials before submitting your application.

Contact Information:

Name: Cary Elza

Email: celza@uwsp.edu

If you have any questions regarding the application process, need special arrangements, or if you submitted your application with missing materials, please call or email:

Human Resources

Email: human.resources@uwsp.edu

Phone: 715-346-2606

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. University sponsorship is available for this position.

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you to supply a minimum of three (3) professional references (one (1) of which being a current or former supervisor). It is preferred that you supply five (5) professional references (two (2) of which being a current or former supervisors). Your references will be required to answer questions regarding misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Special Notes:

Through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point stimulates intellectual growth, provides a liberal education, and prepares students for a diverse sustainable world. The university is committed to creating a safe, inclusive learning community for all faculty and staff from a variety of backgrounds. Visit https://www.uwsp.edu/join-uw-stevens-point/ for more information about UW-Stevens Point. To learn about the Stevens Point (aka Point) area fun, jobs, housing, education, quality of life, and bragging rights, visit www.stevenspointarea.com.

Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at 715-346-2606 or hr@uwsp.edu.

The safety and success of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. You may obtain the complete report at https://www3.uwsp.edu/protsv/Pages/Clery.aspx

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.