Associate Professor, Department of Art & Design (Tenure-Track)

Greater Happens HERE

Title: Associate Professor Department of Art & Design (Tenure-Track)

State Role Title:Associate Professor

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Education and Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia State University

Location:Virginia State University

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Virginia State University (VSU) a public and comprehensive 1890 Land Grant institution and historically black college/university (HBCU) founded in 1882 are seeking qualified applicants for the Fall 2026 Spring 2027 academic year in the Department of Art & Design. This is a 9-month tenure-track instructional (teaching/research) faculty appointment in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Exceptionally qualified applicants may be considered for additional assignments and affiliated appointments subject to the needs of the college and university.

This faculty member serves as faculty for art history and in a leadership role for the CORE Foundations program our first-year foundations program taking primary responsibility for its curriculum development and administration. They will teach a full lecture course load within the program with courses covering art history art theory research practices for artists and designers critique methodologies design elements and principles and foundational studio practices. A central component of this position is serving as the contact point for first-year students working with the Academic Center for Excellence for advising mentoring and preparing them for successful entry into their sophomore-year concentrations. Beyond the classroom this position will maintain an active personal creative/scholarly research agenda collaborate with the faculty team on student exhibitions and events and actively contribute to shared governance through service on department college and university committees.

At VSU where Greater Happens Here we offer 36 undergraduate 17 graduate and 2 doctoral degree programs and 8 certificate programs across six academic colleges.) Instructional (Teaching/Research) facultys primary responsibilities require them to teach up to 15 credit hours per semester in-person and/or online (both synchronous and asynchronous).

VSU faculty must provide and engage students during regular office hours to meet and promote student engagement and success. Other responsibilities include conducting research; advising recruiting and retaining students; participating in designated academic ceremonies such as but not limited to: Convocation Founders Day and Commencement; attending departmental school and university meetings; serving on departmental school and university committees; and performing duties defined and assigned by the departmental chair.

It is also a condition of employment that within thirty (30) days of hire you are required to submit documentation to the hiring authority that you have the academic qualifications for the faculty position in which you are hired. Failure to comply with this documentation requirement and/or misrepresent your professional credentials in any manner may result in revocation of your contract and/or termination of your faculty appointment with VSU.

Faculty rank eligibility will be reviewed and determined in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the VSU Faculty Handbook.


Must possess one of the following degrees:

Masters or PhD in Art History
PhD in Education or Art Education
PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies or other visual arts field


Knowledge Skills Abilities and/or Competencies required:

Demonstrated ability to lead administer and develop curriculum for a first-year Foundations program.

Expertise in teaching a broad range of foundational courses including art history art theory studio practices and critique.

Proven skill in mentoring and advising first-year students to ensure their successful academic progression.

An active personal creative or scholarly research agenda that demonstrates contemporary practice.

Strong collaborative skills for working with faculty on events and a commitment to departmental/university service.

Comprehensive knowledge of historical/contemporary art theory design principles and research practices for artists.

Minimum Qualifications

Must hold one of the following degrees: Masters or PhD in Art History

Graduate or Terminal degree in teaching discipline from an accredited university; minimum of 18 graduate credits hours required.

Significant contribution to the area of specialization higher education or profession/industry.

Engagement in professional development activities related to research such as attending workshops seminars or training sessions to enhance research skills and knowledge.

Teaching proficiency in the respective areas of interest.

Demonstrated proficiency in engaging diverse and non-traditional students effectively.

Ability to effectively promote and enhance the culturally and educationally diverse student populations.

Proficiency and willingness to adapt and implement emerging pedagogies through traditional instruction and experiential learning methodologies.






*Virginia State University requires that faculty be appropriately credentialed to teach assigned courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. VSU demonstrates compliance with its Faculty Credentialing Policy #2301 for all applicable education experience licensure and certification requirements in the selection and hiring of its faculty.

Additional Considerations

Preference for PhD-level degree

Demonstrated research experience in a higher education setting including a track record of scholarly publications conference presentations or externally funded research projects.

Experience with designing and conducting research studies including quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Demonstrated record of teaching experience at the university level including online instruction.

Demonstrated proficiency and prior experience utilizing instructional technologies/learning management systems. (i.e. Banner/Canvas).

Demonstrated experience or ability to measure assess and align curricular outcomes with academic courses/programs.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Required Items: (Attachments)

Curriculum Vitae

Prior and current employment history

List of (35) Professional References: Name Telephone Email and Relationship

Statement of Teaching and Research Interest: In 200350 words articulate your motivation for joining VSU emphasizing your teaching and research interests instructional methodology and your ability to engage a diverse range of students including those with non-traditional backgrounds through applied and experiential learning approaches.

Official transcripts will be required before hire.

Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants without regard to age color disability gender national origin political affiliation genetic information race religion sexual orientation sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities women individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

AmeriCorps Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY: Virginia State University only accepts applications for this position through the on-line state Recruitment Management System (PageUp). Faxed e-mailed and mailed applications and/or attachments will not be accepted. The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume or manually listed in the Relevant Work History section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application therefore it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application or a state application lacking in detail may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

The selected candidate will be subject to an extensive and complete background check which may include fingerprinting. The candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest as a condition of employment if applicable.

Employment-based visa sponsorship at Virginia State University (VSU) is not guaranteed and will be evaluated carefully on a case-by-case basis. Federal law does not require employers to provide immigration sponsorship and VSU is not obligated to offer it. Employment at VSU does not permit an individual to work in the United States unless the appropriate employment authorization has been obtained and verified in accordance with federal immigration compliance requirements.




Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
Immediate vesting Portable Investment choice

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
Defined benefit pension Lifetime monthly income

457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)

403(b) (TIAA)

Comprehensive medical & dental plans

Employee Assistance Program

Paid annual and sick leave

Paid state and federal holidays

Employer-paid life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Telework opportunities (where applicable)

Contact Information

Name: Dominique M. Fisher

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.