Faculty Tenure Track-9 Mo Design

Job Title:

Faculty Tenure Track-9 Mo

Physical Location:

Salary:

Basic Function:

The School of Visual Communication Design (VCD) at Kent State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position with knowledge and specialization in one or more of the following areas: user experience design responsive design interface design interaction/web design motion design or animation. This is a full-time 9-month position at the rank of Assistant Professor with a start date of August 2026.

Additional Basic Function if applicable:

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include but not be limited to the following:

This new faculty member will teach in our undergraduate and graduate programs and have the opportunity to develop curriculum in their area of addition to teaching and service work the candidate will be expected to conduct research and/or produce creative/professional projects within their field of expertise. Candidates must also possess the ability to adapt and embrace technological advancements in tandem with design addition to Adobe Creative Suite proficiencies in one or more of the following software tools are preferred: Figma Sketch Procreate Blender and/or After Effects. Experience with front end development and/or HTML/CSS a plus.

Additional Examples of Duties if applicable:

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must:

• Possess a terminal degree (MFA PhD MDes MGD or equivalent) by the position start date
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to higher education and the professional practice of visual communication design
• Support and complement our faculty members in the areas of graphic design interaction design illustration and/or photography

Preferred Qualifications if applicable:

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge skills abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Special Instructions Summary:

Application Process
Applicants will need to submit the following items:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Portfolio of creative professional and/or scholarly work (submitted as a pdf/link/web address with 10-20 samples)

Candidates who advance to the next stage of review will be asked to provide the following:

• Three references.
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy (limit to 1 page).
• Research interest and vision statement. This should specifically state the candidates current research trajectory and vision for the future (limit to 1 page).

For priority consideration applications should be submitted by March 13 2026 but the search will stay open until the position is filled. Specific questions may be addressed to the Search Committee Chair Jessica Barness at .

• Applications received by March 13 2026 will be given priority consideration

Please reference position number:998136

Additional Information:

Must pass a security check.

The School of Visual Communication Design (VCD) is a rigorous and dynamic program that offers comprehensive undergraduate (BS BA and BFA) and graduate (MA and MFA) degree programs. Our undergraduate and graduate students have become leaders in the industry scholars and active participants in the national and international design community. Recently VCD started offering a BS in User Experience Design helping Kent State become the first public institution in Ohio to offer such a degree. The school is located at Taylor Hall a building that provides students with an abundance of classrooms studio spaces labs photo studios and galleries. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) VCD is uniquely housed in the College of Communication and Information (CCI). CCI is the only college in the nation that combines design technology media information and communication in one interdisciplinary college. CCI and its schools offer a supportive and collaborative environment that values both research/creative activity and teaching.

Founded in 1910 the university is the third largest in Ohio with an enrollment of approximately 24000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Kent is a small but vibrant college town close to the cultural dining and professional sports activities of Cleveland Akron and other Northeast Ohio cities along with the recreational opportunities of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the many lakes in the region.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has awarded Kent State University the esteemed R1 status for research which is the highest recognition that doctoral universities can receive.

The Chronicle of Higher Education identifies Kent State as one of the Great Colleges to Work For and U.S. News & World Report ranks Kent State in the coveted top-tier of Best Colleges.

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences and are inclusive welcoming respectful and kind.

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Kent State University is a Smoke-Free Tobacco-Free University effective July 1 2017. Smoking and tobacco is not permitted on any of Kent States campuses or other locations and properties that are owned operated or leased by Kent State both domestic and international. For additional details visit intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties job hours and responsibilities.