Universities of Wisconsin
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design - Tenure Track
Universities of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States, 54481
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Position Title: Assistant Professor of Graphic Design - Tenure Track
Job Category: Faculty
Employment Type: Regular
Job Profile: Assistant Professor
Job Duties:
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, with the position beginning August 2026. This position offers a distinct opportunity to develop productive interdisciplinary practice and contribute to program growth within a stable, nationally recognized institution.
UWSP is one of only approximately 30 universities in the entire country to hold comprehensive national accreditation from all four major fine arts associations: the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This elite status demonstrates that the arts are non-negotiable pillars of the university's mission, ensuring a stable environment for your professional growth and tenure success.
The position is housed within the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) and the dynamic School of Design and Communication (SDC), a structure intentionally designed to foster the genuine cross-pollination necessary for modern, convergent design practice. The SDC strategically unites diverse yet synergistic areas: Graphic Design, Art and Art History, Communication, Media Studies, and a CIDA-accredited Interior Architecture program.
We are seeking an innovative designer to prepare students for the complex, emerging challenges of the 21st century. This position is strategic, offering a significant opportunity to influence the SDC's future growth and identity. The new faculty member will collaborate in defining the program's trajectory, particularly at the intersection of visual communication, media studies, and spatial design.
This role is ideal for a candidate interested in developing research in hybrid areas, such as: Environmental Graphic Design, Wayfinding, and Branded Environments
(in collaboration with Interior Architecture). UX/UI, Motion Graphics, and Interactive Media
(in collaboration with Communication and Media Studies). Social Practice and Activist Art, Exhibition and Installation Design, Public Art, Material-Driven Branding and Packaging
(in collaboration with Fine Art) UWSP provides a robust framework to support faculty scholarship and creative practice.
Comprehensive Makerspace:
The 200,000-square-foot Noel Fine Arts Center (NFAC) serves as a comprehensive creative engine. It integrates spacious digital, drawing, and printmaking studios with well-equipped sculpture, ceramics, and wood shops. This unique combination empowers faculty to pursue ambitious, material-driven research that transcends purely digital output. Protected Research Time:
The position includes an institutional directive for faculty to dedicate focused, protected time to their creative practice within this collaborative campus makerspace. This transforms the NFAC from a simple resource into a supported pathway for developing a significant body of work. Institutional Support:
Success is further supported by resources like the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning (CITL) and access to system-wide innovation funds and professional development grants. UWSP is actively committed to creating a welcoming and equitable culture. COFAC maintains a five-year Action Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, including in Faculty Recruitment and Development, and system-wide strategies are in place to support the retention and tenure progression of individuals from under-represented groups.
The university is rooted in the supportive community of Stevens Point, which provides a restorative environment conducive to deep creative focus. This location is a retreat while also serving as a strategic hub, offering a productive work-life balance while maintaining convenient access to major art markets. Madison and Green Bay are less than two hours away, and the urban centers of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago are within driving distance, ensuring faculty can readily engage with gallery networks, museums, and professional communities.
This is an invitation to build a meaningful career, contribute to a growing program, and develop curriculum for future interdisciplinary teams empowering them with the skills to manage and lead with an entrepreneurial mindset.
We are seeking candidates who are passionate about teaching, the primary focus of this position. The teaching load is four courses per semester (4/4). Classes meet twice a week for 1 hour and 50 minutes. Along with the prioritized teaching load, service and on-going scholarship is expected. An interest in teaching coursework for existing or potential programs in the SDC is important.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Department:
School of Design & Communication
Required Qualifications:
MFA in Graphic Design or equivalent terminal degree required Technical expertise with industry software is expected. Capacity to work with image and text, context and content relationships. Effective written and verbal communications skills. Must have the capacity to teach at all levels of an undergraduate Graphic Design program. Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to utilize current and emerging digital platforms. A demonstrated ability to teach visual communication with an awareness of identity and cultural dialogue and its relevance to graphic design. An ability to teach some of the following: design foundations, typography, branding, marketing, promotions, public relations, copywriting, social media practice, illustration, book arts, time-based work, environmental graphic design, wayfinding, information design, publication, package design, user experience, and entrepreneurial approaches. Professional industry experience. Capacity to develop and write curriculum collaboratively. How to Apply:
After you submit your application, you are unable to edit it, so please be sure to include all application materials.
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Applications received by 01/05/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.
Files must be complete to be considered. Submission in PDF format is preferred for all attachments. Please include the following documents:
Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience Resume/Curriculum Vitae Teaching Philosophy Statement Contact information for three professional references Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts may be required of finalist) Curated PDF portfolio of 20 student work samples Curated PDF portfolio of at least 20 professional or creative work samples
Contact Information:
Name: Cary Elza
Email: celza@uwsp.edu
If you have any questions regarding the application process, need special arrangements, or if you submitted your application with missing materials, please call or email:
Human Resources
Email: human.resources@uwsp.edu
Phone: 715-346-2606
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. UW-Stevens Point does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you to supply three (3) professional references/one (1) of which being a current or former supervisor. (Preference to supply five (5) professional references/two (2) of which being a current or former supervisors.) Your references will be required to answer questions regarding misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Special Notes:
Through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point stimulates intellectual growth, provides a liberal education, and prepares students for a diverse sustainable world. The university is committed to creating a safe, inclusive learning community for all faculty and staff from a variety of backgrounds. Visit https://www.uwsp.edu/join-uw-stevens-point/ for more information about UW-Stevens Point. To learn about the Stevens Point (aka Point) area fun, jobs, housing, education, quality of life, and bragging rights, visit www.stevenspointarea.com.
Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at 715-346-2606 or hr@uwsp.edu.
The safety and success of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. You may obtain the complete report at https://www3.uwsp.edu/protsv/Pages/Clery.aspx
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
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.
Position Title: Assistant Professor of Graphic Design - Tenure Track
Job Category: Faculty
Employment Type: Regular
Job Profile: Assistant Professor
Job Duties:
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, with the position beginning August 2026. This position offers a distinct opportunity to develop productive interdisciplinary practice and contribute to program growth within a stable, nationally recognized institution.
UWSP is one of only approximately 30 universities in the entire country to hold comprehensive national accreditation from all four major fine arts associations: the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This elite status demonstrates that the arts are non-negotiable pillars of the university's mission, ensuring a stable environment for your professional growth and tenure success.
The position is housed within the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) and the dynamic School of Design and Communication (SDC), a structure intentionally designed to foster the genuine cross-pollination necessary for modern, convergent design practice. The SDC strategically unites diverse yet synergistic areas: Graphic Design, Art and Art History, Communication, Media Studies, and a CIDA-accredited Interior Architecture program.
We are seeking an innovative designer to prepare students for the complex, emerging challenges of the 21st century. This position is strategic, offering a significant opportunity to influence the SDC's future growth and identity. The new faculty member will collaborate in defining the program's trajectory, particularly at the intersection of visual communication, media studies, and spatial design.
This role is ideal for a candidate interested in developing research in hybrid areas, such as: Environmental Graphic Design, Wayfinding, and Branded Environments
(in collaboration with Interior Architecture). UX/UI, Motion Graphics, and Interactive Media
(in collaboration with Communication and Media Studies). Social Practice and Activist Art, Exhibition and Installation Design, Public Art, Material-Driven Branding and Packaging
(in collaboration with Fine Art) UWSP provides a robust framework to support faculty scholarship and creative practice.
Comprehensive Makerspace:
The 200,000-square-foot Noel Fine Arts Center (NFAC) serves as a comprehensive creative engine. It integrates spacious digital, drawing, and printmaking studios with well-equipped sculpture, ceramics, and wood shops. This unique combination empowers faculty to pursue ambitious, material-driven research that transcends purely digital output. Protected Research Time:
The position includes an institutional directive for faculty to dedicate focused, protected time to their creative practice within this collaborative campus makerspace. This transforms the NFAC from a simple resource into a supported pathway for developing a significant body of work. Institutional Support:
Success is further supported by resources like the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning (CITL) and access to system-wide innovation funds and professional development grants. UWSP is actively committed to creating a welcoming and equitable culture. COFAC maintains a five-year Action Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, including in Faculty Recruitment and Development, and system-wide strategies are in place to support the retention and tenure progression of individuals from under-represented groups.
The university is rooted in the supportive community of Stevens Point, which provides a restorative environment conducive to deep creative focus. This location is a retreat while also serving as a strategic hub, offering a productive work-life balance while maintaining convenient access to major art markets. Madison and Green Bay are less than two hours away, and the urban centers of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago are within driving distance, ensuring faculty can readily engage with gallery networks, museums, and professional communities.
This is an invitation to build a meaningful career, contribute to a growing program, and develop curriculum for future interdisciplinary teams empowering them with the skills to manage and lead with an entrepreneurial mindset.
We are seeking candidates who are passionate about teaching, the primary focus of this position. The teaching load is four courses per semester (4/4). Classes meet twice a week for 1 hour and 50 minutes. Along with the prioritized teaching load, service and on-going scholarship is expected. An interest in teaching coursework for existing or potential programs in the SDC is important.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Department:
School of Design & Communication
Required Qualifications:
MFA in Graphic Design or equivalent terminal degree required Technical expertise with industry software is expected. Capacity to work with image and text, context and content relationships. Effective written and verbal communications skills. Must have the capacity to teach at all levels of an undergraduate Graphic Design program. Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to utilize current and emerging digital platforms. A demonstrated ability to teach visual communication with an awareness of identity and cultural dialogue and its relevance to graphic design. An ability to teach some of the following: design foundations, typography, branding, marketing, promotions, public relations, copywriting, social media practice, illustration, book arts, time-based work, environmental graphic design, wayfinding, information design, publication, package design, user experience, and entrepreneurial approaches. Professional industry experience. Capacity to develop and write curriculum collaboratively. How to Apply:
After you submit your application, you are unable to edit it, so please be sure to include all application materials.
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Applications received by 01/05/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.
Files must be complete to be considered. Submission in PDF format is preferred for all attachments. Please include the following documents:
Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience Resume/Curriculum Vitae Teaching Philosophy Statement Contact information for three professional references Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts may be required of finalist) Curated PDF portfolio of 20 student work samples Curated PDF portfolio of at least 20 professional or creative work samples
Contact Information:
Name: Cary Elza
Email: celza@uwsp.edu
If you have any questions regarding the application process, need special arrangements, or if you submitted your application with missing materials, please call or email:
Human Resources
Email: human.resources@uwsp.edu
Phone: 715-346-2606
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. UW-Stevens Point does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you to supply three (3) professional references/one (1) of which being a current or former supervisor. (Preference to supply five (5) professional references/two (2) of which being a current or former supervisors.) Your references will be required to answer questions regarding misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Special Notes:
Through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, UW-Stevens Point stimulates intellectual growth, provides a liberal education, and prepares students for a diverse sustainable world. The university is committed to creating a safe, inclusive learning community for all faculty and staff from a variety of backgrounds. Visit https://www.uwsp.edu/join-uw-stevens-point/ for more information about UW-Stevens Point. To learn about the Stevens Point (aka Point) area fun, jobs, housing, education, quality of life, and bragging rights, visit www.stevenspointarea.com.
Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at 715-346-2606 or hr@uwsp.edu.
The safety and success of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. You may obtain the complete report at https://www3.uwsp.edu/protsv/Pages/Clery.aspx
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
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.