Assistant Professor of Fashion Design & Development

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Job Duties:

The School of Art & Design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout invites applications for an Assistant Professor position in the Fashion Design and Development Program commencing the fall semester of 2026. The position is a tenure-track 9-month academic year position and will bring fresh perspectives and skills to this established and growing program. Exciting opportunities exist and are encouraged for new curriculum and collaborations centered on new technologies that will impact the future direction of the fashion industry.

A core focus of this position will be instructing students in market-oriented fashion product development and production. The ideal candidate will bring industry-oriented advanced technical expertise to a range of studio courses including cut and sewn knitwear machine knitting and digital advances in fashion technology (e.g. digital patterning grading & maker 3D simulation). Position expectations primarily include teaching at the undergraduate level graduate level outreach to industry creative research and service to the department college and university. UW-Stouts School of Art & Design is NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) accredited.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach lecture and lab courses each semester that may include introductory intermediate and advanced fashion design and development quality analysis digital design and studio classes.
• Advance student learning in Fashion Design and Development in alignment with UW-Stouts polytechnic tenets of applied learning and research business and industry partnerships career focused education.
• Provide student academic advisement and conduct assessment of student learning. This includes contributing to academic program assessment accreditation and continuous improvement processes in collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Develop a productive research program with the potential for refereed scholarship (peer-reviewed publications peer-reviewed creative scholarship); conduct original research in areas of design.
• Perform university community and professional services.
• Demonstrate organizational skills and collegiality.
• Collaborate with other faculty to maintain / develop course curricula.
• Collaborate with other faculty to maintain historical collection lab maintenaince and supervision student workers.
• Foster a rigorous and inclusive learning environment.
• Schedule maintain office hours and/or online availability for students in alignment with departmental expectations; including assessment of student learning.
• Provide grades following the process/timeline established by the registrar.
• Participate in the university online learning environment which includes the learning management system.
• Participate in early alert and other student success initiatives as requested.
• Work with the Disability Services office ( to foster an inclusive learning environment when students disclose the need for learning accommodations.
• Perform other duties as designated by the Department Chair.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department:

UW-Stouts Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Fashion Design & Development program (formerly Apparel Design and Development) emphasizes current industry practices internship opportunities and career placement. Students explore real-world aspects of the fashion and apparel industries including market research planning designing developing buying and marketing. Dedicated facilities include a newly renovated textile lab maker labs hands-on classrooms studios including a photography lab and digital process lab. Studies include merchandise planning product sourcing social media marketing and market research as well as coursework on visual merchandising apparel construction textile pattern structures and 21st-century garment engineering and manufacturing. Graduates are hired nationally.

The School of Art & Design (SOAD) has over 85faculty/staff and over 1300 students making it the largest public higher education art and design entity in the upper Midwest. The School of Art & Design student population accounts for 20%of the on-campus undergraduate population at UW-Stout. Our school serves the MFA in Design tenundergraduate degrees and seven minors. For more information please visit: salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. A six-month probationary period is required.

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.

Employee Benefits: To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator Employee Benefits ()

Required Qualifications:

• Completed terminal degree (M.F.A. Ph.D. or equivalent) in an area relevant to fashion design by date of appointment.

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to teach university-level courses in fashion design fashion development or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of three years of industry experience in fashion design fashion development textiles or a related area (e.g. apparel design apparel development/management 2D and 3D software).
• Evidence of a cohesive program of research as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications multi-disciplinary industry collaborations and projects and/or public exhibitions.
• Proficiency in design and/or development/software programs in fashion areas including but not limited to CLO3D Optitex Gravity Sketch and other areas of emerging technology.
• Interest in the disciplines of art & design with a focus on visual creativity and expression.
• Interest in maintaining a historical fashion collection.
• Interest in future leadership opportunities within the fashion area.
• Commitment to teaching excellence and mentorship of undergraduates.
• Demonstrated potential and interest in multi-disciplinary collaborations.

How to Apply:

Complete applications received by the end of day January 5 2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after January 5 2026 may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

To apply click on the APPLY button or go to: application materials:

Cover letter (* See below)

Current curriculum vitae or resumé

Unofficial copies of transcripts of all degrees.

Professional portfolio a PDF or a link to an online portfolio of up to 20 samples of professional/creative work.

Teaching portfolio of student outcomes (if applicable) link or no more than 20 pages.

Teaching philosophy (1-2 pages)

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification describe your relevant experience using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

All final candidates will be asked to provide names email contact information and/or phone numbers for three (3) references with at least one being from a manager or supervisor during the interview process.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

Before starting the online application process we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at:

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individuals disability.

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position or recruitment please contact:

Search Chair: Dave Beck

Email:

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials please contact:

Search Coordinator: Becca Rother

Email:

Guidelines to ensure consideration:

• Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.

• Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification describe your relevant experience using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individuals disability.

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.

• Employee Benefits: calculate the estimated value of your total compensation use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator Employee Benefits ()

Employment is contingent upon the final candidates completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office. Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidates professional references questions regarding employee misconductsexual violenceandsexual harassment. Reference checks must be conducted at a minimum with three professional references at least one of which must be a prior supervisor.

Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.

In response to a public records request the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: 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.