Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

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Position Title:

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

Job Category:

Faculty

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Assistant Professor

Job Duties:

The Department of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin-Superior invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design. We seek an innovative educator and leader committed to excellence in undergraduate teaching, contemporary design practice, and collaborative program development. As Graphic Design Program Lead, the successful candidate will teach and advise students, provide academic leadership, and cultivate strong community and industry partnerships that expand internship opportunities, strengthen workforce connections, and ensure the program remains responsive to evolving professional trends.

The Art and Design Department offers a 60-credit Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design designed to prepare students for success in the dynamic creative communications industry. The program emphasizes concept development, technical expertise, collaborative design and project management, community engagement, and entrepreneurial thinking. Built on a strong liberal arts foundation, the degree combines hands-on, experiential learning with real-world professional experiences, equipping graduates with the skills, adaptability, and confidence needed to thrive in diverse design careers.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department: Art and Design

 

Full-Time: 100%, tenure-track faculty, 9-month ongoing appointment, one vacancy

 

Job Responsibilities:

• The undergraduate teaching load is 24 credits per academic year. Department of Art and Design classes include BFA students.
• Develop and teach undergraduate courses in the Graphic Art major, contributing to shared foundational coursework and cross-disciplinary offerings within the Department of Art and Design.
• Mentor students in their creative and professional development, including portfolio preparation, design competitions, student organizations, and direction of the department's internship course.
• Serve on committees within the Department and the University at large starting the second year of employment.
• Starting in the second year of employment, advise Graphic Design students, assisting them in creating “graduation plans” to complete university and department graduation requirements.
• Meet departmental and university teaching, research and service expectations.
• Responsible for preparing and executing an annual personal development program to enhance your course content knowledge and teaching effectiveness skills.
• Scholarship and creative activity expectations grounded in scholarship of teaching and learning, graphic design, and/or digital media.

Additional duties specific to the position:

• Cultivate relationships with industry and community partners to develop a range of internships, client-based projects, and professional networking opportunities for students.
• Work cooperatively with Technology Services and other Art and Design faculty to maintain digital media lab and its corresponding technologies in the UW-Superior Art and Design department.
• Evaluate and revise curriculum, course materials, delivery methods, department policy, and digital resources as changes in the field and teaching environment warrant, working in conjunction with department members and the Department Chair to enhance student academic and career success.
• Teach online sections of courses when needed.
• Assist the department and university to recruit and enroll students who are a good fit for our culture, mission, and vision.
• Attend all required departmental and university events such as semester staff meetings, faculty meetings, etc.
• Perform other appropriate and reasonably required duties as assigned by your supervisor.

 

Other Duties:

• Complete required trainings and professional development as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design or closely related field of study completed by the start date of the position
• At least one year of professional experience in the field of graphic design, demonstrated through a portfolio of client-based, agency, in-house, or freelance work that shows range across typography, branding, layout, and digital design applications.
• Three years of college or university level teaching experience in Graphic Design or a closely related discipline by the start date of the position, including full-time, part-time, adjunct, or graduate-level instructional appointments.

 

Desirable Qualifications:

• At least three years of professional experience in graphic design, demonstrated through a portfolio of client-based, agency, in-house, or freelance work that shows range across typography, branding, layout, and digital design applications.
• At least one year of experience managing client relationships and/or creative output within a design team setting — as an art director, project manager, or creative lead — including responsibility for scheduling, client communication, quality control, and mentoring or directing the work of other designers.

 

Compensation: Salary range for this position is: $59,000 - $65,000 annually. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.

University of Wisconsin-Superior is a gold-level certified employer recognized by Family Friendly Workplaces.

Starting Date: August 25, 2027

Contact Information:

For additional information about UW-Superior, visit www.uwsuper.edu;

For additional information about this position, contact Mike Lueck at [email protected].

 

Application Process:

Review of all complete applications will commence at 4:30pm on October 26, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

 

How to Apply:

Click the “Apply” button to begin the application process or visit https://www.uwsuper.edu/about/employment/. You will be prompted to log in or create a Workday account to continue.

Important: The application includes only one attachment field. Please upload all required documents in that single field—either as one combined file or as multiple files attached in the same upload area.

Applications will not be considered complete unless all required materials are submitted.

1.) Cover Letter/Teaching Philosophy: Applicants should include a discussion of their working knowledge of graphic design history and current theoretical and professional discourse in the field.

2.) Curriculum Vitae

3.) Unofficial transcripts of all degrees earned

4.) Digital Portfolio or Website: Minimum of 10 pieces of professional and client-based work demonstrating graphic design proficiency, team/client management experience, and creative research, including engagement with digitally based or expanded media practices.

5.) Student Work Portfolio: A portfolio of student work from your teaching experience (minimum 10 pieces) related to graphic design; related examples from outside graphic design are also welcome.

 

Due to system limitations, applicants may upload no more than five (5) attachments. Please combine documents where appropriate.

UW-Superior, A Superior Place:

The University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identities of ‘final candidates’ must be revealed upon request. According to the Attorney General, ‘final candidates’ under Wisconsin law means the five candidates who are considered most qualified for the position. See Wis. Stat. Sec. 19.36(7)(a).

Employment will require a criminal background check, and if you have prior work history within the last seven years with Universities of Wisconsin or State of Wisconsin agencies, a personnel file review check for employee misconduct. It will also require your references to answer questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University reserves the right to check references with notice given to the candidates at the appropriate time in the process.

Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

For UW-Superior campus safety information and crime statistics, review the Annual Security Report or contact the University Police Department Safety at 715-394-8114 for a printed copy.

UW 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.