Assistant Professor of Illustration

Department of Visual Arts
College of the Arts
Assistant Professor
Fall 2027

The Department of Visual Arts at California State University Fullerton invites applications for a tenuretrack Assistant Professor position in Illustration with an appointment to begin in Fall 2027.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment
This position is open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws California State University Fullerton (CSUF) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. CSUF complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices.

In addition California State University Fullerton is a leading public university known for its strong academic programs and commitment to student success. As one of the largest campuses in the CSU system Cal State Fullerton fosters innovation collaboration and professional growth. The university values teaching research and service creating an environment where students staff and faculty can thrive. Cal State Fullerton is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The university also received the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2021 and 2024 from Excelencia in Education the nations leading authority on Latinx student success. Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer with a diverse student population of over 45000 and a faculty and staff population of 4000. Cal State Fullerton is firmly committed to helping students achieve academic excellence career success and economic mobility. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a meaningful impact. We continuously seek individuals from various disciplines who share the universitys mission and core values. We welcome you to consider joining the Titan community.

CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established affinity groups you can join to support your success.

Position
The successful candidate will be qualified to teach undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in the Illustration program. The successful candidate should be able to teach currently offered courses and be willing to develop new courses and course sequences that meet future requirements in an expanding field. Course assignments may include but are not limited to teaching traditional and digital illustration tools and techniques; illustration concepts styles and history; professional practices; and other essential industry skills that support visual narratives and storytelling.

Faculty members are responsible for producing and maintaining creative activity and/or scholarly research relevant to the position that is recognized by peer review to achieve tenure. The successful candidate will participate in departmental life and development recruitment and outreach efforts. They will contribute to a dynamic illustration program with a track record of growth and distinction derived from awards earned by its students the successful art careers of its alumni and the professional achievements of its faculty.

Required Qualifications

• MFA or equivalent terminal degree in illustration or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• College or university-level teaching experience in courses specifically relevant to the position.
• A sustained record of professional experience creative practices and/or scholarly achievement within the expanded field of illustration.
• Demonstrated proficiency in figurative sketching drawing and painting techniques utilizing industry-standard analog and/or digital illustration tools (i.e. Adobe Creative Suite).
• Demonstrated knowledge of inventive image-building concepts such as visual storytelling staging linear perspective anatomy light color and design principles.
• Successful student portfolio examples that demonstrate classroom teaching relevant to the job.
• Demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching of a highly diverse student population including varied socioeconomic status race ethnicity religion sexual orientation disability age and gender identity etc.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a positive work environment with a wide and culturally diverse range of colleagues faculty and staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrates various instructional abilities including but not limited to studio demonstrations in methods and media providing feedback and critiques and effective lecturing.
• Demonstrates course development ability in contemporary standards and future curricular development and is forward-thinking in navigating the impact of current and future AI environments.
• Exhibits a domain knowledge of the historical and current professional artists practices and standards specialized within the field of illustration.
• Significant professional reputation creative practice and industry network supported by peer-reviewed artworks (i.e. exhibitions publications commissions) within the expanded field of illustration.
• Evidence of leadership communication organizational and management interpersonal skills which may include successful recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Ability to connect the illustration program with the professional community facilitating industry opportunities suitable to student interests and skill sets.

Application
A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To apply please visit choose full-time faculty search for the position 562362and provide the following required materials:

• Cover letter relating your qualifications.
• Curriculum Vitae in an academic format.
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are sufficient for initial review).
• Teaching philosophy (2-page limit) describing your pedagogical practices.
• List of three references with relevant contact information.
• Portfolio of 20 examples of the applicants works demonstrating expertise related to the position.
• Portfolio of 20 examples of student work from courses taught relevant to the position.
• Candidate statement on commitment to inclusive excellence (1-page limit):
• Inclusive excellence is a strategic framework that recognizes the importance of diversity equity and inclusion in achieving organizational success and high-quality learning and teaching. Its a way of thinking and acting that integrates these values into all aspects of an institution from curriculum and pedagogy to recruitment and hiring. Essentially it means that excellence is not just about achieving high standards but also about ensuring that all members of the community have the opportunity to thrive and contribute (Williams et al. 2005).
• With the Inclusive Excellence Statement we aim to learn about the applicants perspective on their past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting and engaging with a diverse student population. This statement should showcase the candidates professional experience intellectual commitments and/or willingness to teach and create an academic environment supportive of all students including but not limited to those of diverse ages abilities cultures ethnicities gender identities languages religions and sexual orientations.
• Cal State Fullerton serves a student body that reflects the rich cultural ethnic and socioeconomic mosaic of Southern California. Please provide concrete examples of how you as a faculty member will support our students in one or more of the following areas which fall under the areas of awareness and understanding experience and commitment and future plans.

1. Your contributions (past present or future) to embedding perspectives that are reflective of the student population into your teaching and/or scholarship.
2. Your experience in service activities that are reflective of a diverse student population.
3. Your experience and commitment to mentoring and providing opportunities to a diverse student body inside and outside the classroom environment.
4. Your experience integrating creative activities that are inclusive of the identities of our student body and communities.

Semi-Finalists

• Semi-Finalistswill be invited to a Zoom interview.
• Semi-Finalists must submit three letters of recommendation. Please have these ready for thereferents to submit. On the References page of the online application enter information and emailaddresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. Atthe appropriate time in the search process they will receive a request via email along with information onuploading the letter. You can verify that CSUF has received each letter by loggingback into your applicant portal.

Finalists

• Over a one-day period finalists will be invited to participate in a series of interviews an artist talk and a teaching demonstration with a student audience on campus.
• The finalists for this position will be required to submit official academic transcripts from all higher-education institutions attended.
• Additional material such as current course outlines assignments and rubrics may also be requested.

Please direct all questions about the position to: Arnold Holland at with Illustration Search in the subject line or call .

Application Deadline
To be assured full consideration all application materials must be received by Tuesday December 15 2026. The position will remain open until filled. The anticipated appointment date is August 2027.

The College and Department
The Department of Visual Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design to offer the BA BFA MA and MFA in Art and the BA and MA in Art History. CSUF is located about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles in metropolitan Orange County. The Department of Visual Arts comprises approximately 3000 undergraduate art majors 24 graduate students 28 full-time faculty and 80 part-time instructors. A full range of fine arts and professional programs is offered and the nationally recognized Begovich art gallery is located in the Visual Arts complex. Grand Central Art Center a 45000 sq. ft. graduate studio residence and exhibition facility is located 15 minutes from the main campus. For more information about the Department of Visual Arts and the College of the Arts please refer to the website: Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $5405 to $11994 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring salary is $6884 - $7022 per month.

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and addition the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work ( research grants moving expenses startup funds and an initial reduced teaching load may be available.

CSUF Benefits
An excellent comprehensive benefits package includes health/vision/dental plans; spouse domestic partner and dependent feewaiver; access to campus childcare; and a definedbenefit retirement through the state system and optional tax-sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits please visit Candidates
California State University Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff management or faculty positions.

For tenure-track faculty positions California State University Fullerton is currently not sponsoring H-1B applicants subject to the $100000 fee established by the Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers issued on September 19 2025. Individuals in the U.S. who hold a valid lawful nonimmigrant status visa can have a petition filed on their behalf to change their status to H-1B without being subjected to the fee. For example the fee does not apply to an H-1B petition filed by an individual presently in the U.S. who is an F-1 J-1 or O-1 status holder.

CSU Policies
The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 revised July 21 2017 as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who selfdisclose.

Notice of Non-Discrimination based on Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. It requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the State of California.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicants current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.