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Assistant Professor of Practice - Graphic Design - 000606
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Position Number: 5233053
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Graphic Design

Assistant Professor of Practice - Graphic Design - 000606

Western Carolina University

Department: School of Art & Design

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: Design Studio instructor teaching in 2D foundations, animation / motion design, and other areas of expertise. Responsibilities include teaching and service.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: MFA in Design /Graphic Design/ Visual Communications or a terminal degree in design or design related field from an accredited institution. Demonstrated competency in working with most, if not all, of the following: motion design / animation, typography, layout design, design thinking, and design foundations. Knowledge of the history of design and related fields. Broad-based expertise in contemporary issues and practices in graphic design for diverse formats. Fluency in the tools, technologies, and software of contemporary design production and instruction. (Examples: Abode Creative Suite, Figma ). Evidence of collaboration skills, multidisciplinary activities and maintaining professional relationships outside of the university. Demonstrated potential for active university service. Evidence of teaching design and or design related courses through examples of student work. Excellent interpersonal skills as evidenced through professional recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications: An established creative practice and/or training with a national and/or international record of exhibition or performance. Ability to demonstrate, through their teaching philosophy or record, an ability to mentor undergraduate and/or graduate students to foster collaboration, experimentation, and innovation across departments. Experience in teaching courses, as an instructor of record, in design, at an accredited institution of higher learning. Evidence of skills as a designer working with motion design, Animation or other linear narrative formats. Outstanding conceptual thinking and design skills as evidenced through personal and or professional work. Academic, research and/or professional experiences with underserved populations. Evidence of integrating issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion into design classes.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Western Carolina University holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong. To be considered, you must apply online. Hard copy application materials are not considered. Please attach the following.: A Letter of Interest that conveys relevant academic and professional experience and describes experiences and/or professional service that informs a collaborative and community-engaged approach to design education. Teaching Philosophy Current CV A list of three current references including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (references will not be contacted prior to applicants approval)- Portfolio of up to twenty works representing your creative/scholarly works. Examples of student work in classes the applicant has taught. Unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned. Examples of web/video/animation/motion graphics must be listed as hyperlinks within the PDF file and link to portfolio web sites or video sharing sites such as Vimeo, or personal website. Do not upload motion graphics files. For personal work, state the title, media, and date. For student work, provide course title, media, date, and assignment description. The anticipated starting date is August, 2024. For questions or additional information, please contact Ron Laboray, Director, of the School of Art and Design, via email: relaboray@email.wcu.edu, or John Seefeldt, Graphic Design search committee chair, via email: jseefeldt@wcu.edu.

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/27499