Assistant Professor

Description:

Major Responsibilities:

This position is a 9-month non-tenure eligible (term) faculty position in the Art Foundation Program with an academic rank of Assistant Professor. The faculty member’s responsibilities will be heavily weighted towards teaching with a teaching load of 3/4 (seven studio courses per year). Instructional responsibilities comprise development and teaching undergraduate courses to first-year art and design students. Course topics will cover all areas of drawing, figure drawing, technical drawing, color, and 2D design. Course assignments will change based on demand and will be at the discretion of the Chair.

The faculty member is expected to be a passionate mentor and creative leader for an enthusiastic and diverse community of first-year and transfer students; integrate innovative pedagogical and technological approaches, and multicultural perspectives into instructional methods; bring experience in developing initiatives that contribute to a meaningful art and design education accessible to underrepresented or disadvantaged groups; foster collaborative teaching and educational opportunities through diverse and innovative projects and experiences; promote the efforts of the program across the university and throughout the community. In support of the department’s strong commitment to diversity, the faculty member is expected to foster a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Creative research is not a primary expectation for this non-tenure eligible position. The faculty member is expected to demonstrate excellence through teaching and maintain a scholarly body of knowledge within the discipline. The department will support the faculty member’s professional development, as appropriate and within available resources, to ensure ongoing mastery of the discipline as it relates to the program’s curriculum. Professional development activities will be consistent with and support the mission and initiatives of the department, school, and university. The department will also support creative research at an appropriate annual level, though teaching will constitute the majority of the faculty member’s responsibilities.

As a member of a community-oriented, tight-knit program and School, the faculty member will provide service to support student, department, and school-wide initiatives that enrich and reflect the first-year student experience, such as student exhibitions and programming; foster the innate nature of the first-year program as a bridge to majors and opportunities; collaborate with other Art Foundation Program faculty and VCUarts faculty and guest artists; support recruitment activities; foster community engagement opportunities; and serve on department/School/University committees. In addition, the faculty member is expected to serve as a peer reviewer, organize conferences and/or conference sessions, retain membership in professional associations, and provide professional service. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the Chair or university administration.

Qualifications

Required
 

• MFA or professional training and experience that equates to a graduate degree
• Minimum two years of teaching experience
• Demonstrated passion for teaching first-year students
• Exceptional technical drawing and 2D design skills and a documented ability to effectively teach across all drawing and 2D design areas
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
• Strong collaboration skills and demonstrate enthusiasm toward teaching and working with faculty, staff, and students within the university and building and maintaining professional relationships outside of the university on the program’s behalf