Assistant Professor, Art & Design Job at Jacksonville State University in Jackso

Overview

Jacksonville State University is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position in Visual Communication/Graphic Design at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. The selected candidate will be expected to teach a 3/3 load at all levels of visual communication design from undergraduate to graduate, fully engage in departmental duties, committee work, campus activities, and scholarship/creative activity.

Responsibilities

• Teach a 3/3 load across undergraduate to graduate levels in Visual Communication/Graphic Design.
• Engage in departmental duties, committee work, campus activities, and scholarship/creative activity.

Department & Programs

The Department of Art + Design at Jacksonville State University is NASAD-accredited and offers an MFA in Visual Communication Design and BFA degrees in Studio Art with concentrations in Ceramics, Illustration, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, and Printmaking. The department also offers a BA in Art History and Art Minors in Studio Art, Photography, and Art History.

Program Context

The Visual Communication/Graphic Design program at JSU is competitive and fosters a culture of passion, craftsmanship, and an atmosphere of play. Both graduate and undergraduate design students have earned regional, national, and international awards.

Qualifications

• MFA or MDes from a regionally accredited institution in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related design degree.
• Experience using current Adobe Creative Suite.
• Broad understanding of contemporary design practice and theory; mastery of formal design principles, typography, and layout in both personal and student work.

Physical & Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to work with students in studio and labs; prepare and present assignments; evaluate student work in progress; advise and mentor students during office hours; willing to move between buildings on campus for meetings.

Instructions to Applicants

To demonstrate a record of professional and creative accomplishment, provide a digital portfolio with 20 samples of creative work and 20 samples of students’ work (in PDF or URL format). Send PDFs or URLs to blafferty@jsu.edu. If student samples are unavailable, please explain in the cover letter. Applications must be submitted online with a curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching philosophy, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts.

Application Timeline

Review of applications will begin November 17, 2025, with on-campus interviews beginning in January 2026. The position has an anticipated start date of August 1, 2026.

About JSU

Located in the Appalachian foothills of northeast Alabama, JSU serves more than 10,300 students from 63 countries. It is a learning-centered university that aims to challenge students academically and prepare them for global engagement. JSU offers 113 academic programs and six colleges on a 459-acre campus, including online programs.

Clery Notice

Clery Notice: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, and crime reporting is available online at: https://www.jsu.edu/police/docs/CleryAnnualReport.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

Jax State is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Advertised: Sep 11 2025 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: Nov 16 2025 Central Standard Time