Truman State University
Assistant Professor of Design (Fall 2026)
Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri, United States, 63501
Posting Details
Position Information
Position Title Assistant Professor of Design (Fall 2026)
Job Responsibilities
The School of Arts and Humanities at Truman State University seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position to begin August 2026.
This position is a full-time, nine-month appointment located on Truman's campus in Kirksville, Missouri. In addition to the duties and responsibilities described below, faculty are expected to contribute to the campus culture of the Liberal Arts and Sciences and interdisciplinarity by teaching in the University's core curriculum (The Dialogues) and contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives and coursework as needed.
Position : The Truman State University Department of Art and Design is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor who will teach courses within the design program in both face-to-face and online modalities, as well as courses that support the department and University. We seek an inventive colleague with outstanding visual skills in graphic design, with additional experience in animation, 3D modeling, video production design, and/or game design. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to contribute to the department and teaching within a liberal arts and sciences setting.
The ideal candidate will also be able to clearly demonstrate a commitment to the Liberal Arts mission of Truman State University and will have an affinity for working at a selective, public liberal arts university located in a largely rural area. Therefore, community service in the form of educational outreach, arts advocacy, and support for community arts is also desirable.
Responsibilities: Teach Design, Animation, 3D Modeling, video production design, and/or game design Teach additional Art courses, as well as courses that support Truman's general education program Student Advising University service Other duties as assigned Benefits : Truman offers a comprehensive benefits package including life, health, and disability insurance, retirement contributions, paid sick leave, and a stipend for moving expenses. Paid parental leave and a tuition discount are available for eligible employees after one year. More details:
https://hr.truman.edu/benefits/ .
Program:
The Department of Art and Design includes the areas of Studio Art, Art History, and Design, and provides liberal arts experiences for non-art majors. The department has ten full-time faculty members and a student body averaging 50 majors. Degrees offered: BFA: Design (face-to-face and online), BFA: Studio Art, BA: Art (with tracks in Art History and Studio Art).
The University : Truman State University is home to a vibrant educational community. Our approximately 3,000 students thrive in a challenging, yet supportive, academic environment. More than 25% engage in significant undergraduate research and creative projects. Nearly 40% gain leadership experience, and nearly half go on to graduate or professional school.
Founded in 1867, Truman focuses on student learning outcomes and emphasizes high-impact experiences such as internships, research, and study abroad opportunities. Truman has the highest overall graduation rate among the state's public four-year colleges and universities. For nearly three decades, Truman has been recognized as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest regional category by U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly consistently ranks Truman as one of the best master's universities in the nation. For more information about our mission and values and to see additional rankings and acknowledgments, visit
truman.edu/about .
The Community:
Located in northeast Missouri, Kirksville is a cultural and economic hub in the region. In addition to being the home of Truman, Kirksville is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine and features a medical school, dental school, and community college. The Kirksville School District is consistently recognized for academic excellence. The community takes pride in several annual events including the Red, White and Blue Festival, the Red Barn Arts and Craft Festival, and the FLATS Trail Half-Marathon. The charming downtown area features an arts center, local shops, and restaurants, and it is the site of numerous community events including weekly farmers' markets and summer concerts on the courthouse lawn. Just a few minutes outside of town is beautiful Thousand Hills State Park with hiking and biking opportunities surrounding the 700-acre Forest Lake. Kirksville offers easy access by car to Kansas City, St. Louis, and Des Moines. Daily flights from Kirksville Regional Airport to Chicago O'Hare provide quick access to one of the country's major metropolitan areas. More information about Kirksville can be found at
visitkirksville.com .
Required Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Terminal degree in Design, Animation, 3D Modeling, Game Design, or closely related professional field(s) by the start date. Ability to teach graphic design, 3D modeling, animation, video production design, and/or game design Extensive knowledge of digital design production, processes, and software, such as, but not limited to, the Adobe Creative Cloud Ecosystem, Blender, Maya, Unity, and/or the Unreal Engine Experience with alternative design production, platforms, and applications such as time-based media, VR, and/or audio Demonstrated evidence of professional or scholarly activity Commitment to collegiality within the learning community Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
Teaching or professional experience in design, modeling, animation, video production design, and/or game design Ability to teach new media courses Evidence of teacher/scholar approach to teaching Ability to mentor undergraduate research and create transformative learning experiences Evidence of commitment to liberal arts education with undergraduate student development and accomplishment Evidence of, or demonstrated potential for, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in undergraduates Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills Ability to teach in other areas as needed, including art foundations and general education topics for the wider university Posting Detail Information
Posting Number F118P
Open Date 10/07/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Faculty applications are supported by Interfolio.
To apply for this position, please click
HERE .
Complete applications must include:
a letter of application (which addresses the required and preferred qualifications for the position, and a statement discussing the applicant's teaching philosophy and commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and student development); current curriculum vitae; professional creative portfolio; a sustainable research/scholarship/creative activity plan that includes a mentorship philosophy for engaging undergraduate students in your scholarly pursuits; student work portfolio (if available); contact information for three references (including phone number and email address); and official or unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts (official graduate transcripts are required at the time of hire).
All materials must be submitted in PDF format.
Review of applications will begin 11/20/2025 and will continue until the position is filled. If hired, applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States, official graduate transcripts, or documentation of degrees if transcripts are not available. Final candidates are required to successfully pass a background check. Questions about this position may be directed to the chair of the Department of Art and Design, Aaron Neeley, ( aneeley@truman.edu ). Please include "Design Search" in the subject line.
Salary Salary is commensurate with experience.
Non Discrimination Statement
Truman State University is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring, promotion, or any other employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or Missouri law. We are committed to fair and equal treatment in all aspects of employment. Inquiries about these policies may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Officer, 660-785-4354, and
titleix@truman.edu .
Truman is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate form or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources, McClain Hall 101, 100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501, 660-785-4031 or
hrstaff@truman.edu .
Position Information
Position Title Assistant Professor of Design (Fall 2026)
Job Responsibilities
The School of Arts and Humanities at Truman State University seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position to begin August 2026.
This position is a full-time, nine-month appointment located on Truman's campus in Kirksville, Missouri. In addition to the duties and responsibilities described below, faculty are expected to contribute to the campus culture of the Liberal Arts and Sciences and interdisciplinarity by teaching in the University's core curriculum (The Dialogues) and contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives and coursework as needed.
Position : The Truman State University Department of Art and Design is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor who will teach courses within the design program in both face-to-face and online modalities, as well as courses that support the department and University. We seek an inventive colleague with outstanding visual skills in graphic design, with additional experience in animation, 3D modeling, video production design, and/or game design. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to contribute to the department and teaching within a liberal arts and sciences setting.
The ideal candidate will also be able to clearly demonstrate a commitment to the Liberal Arts mission of Truman State University and will have an affinity for working at a selective, public liberal arts university located in a largely rural area. Therefore, community service in the form of educational outreach, arts advocacy, and support for community arts is also desirable.
Responsibilities: Teach Design, Animation, 3D Modeling, video production design, and/or game design Teach additional Art courses, as well as courses that support Truman's general education program Student Advising University service Other duties as assigned Benefits : Truman offers a comprehensive benefits package including life, health, and disability insurance, retirement contributions, paid sick leave, and a stipend for moving expenses. Paid parental leave and a tuition discount are available for eligible employees after one year. More details:
https://hr.truman.edu/benefits/ .
Program:
The Department of Art and Design includes the areas of Studio Art, Art History, and Design, and provides liberal arts experiences for non-art majors. The department has ten full-time faculty members and a student body averaging 50 majors. Degrees offered: BFA: Design (face-to-face and online), BFA: Studio Art, BA: Art (with tracks in Art History and Studio Art).
The University : Truman State University is home to a vibrant educational community. Our approximately 3,000 students thrive in a challenging, yet supportive, academic environment. More than 25% engage in significant undergraduate research and creative projects. Nearly 40% gain leadership experience, and nearly half go on to graduate or professional school.
Founded in 1867, Truman focuses on student learning outcomes and emphasizes high-impact experiences such as internships, research, and study abroad opportunities. Truman has the highest overall graduation rate among the state's public four-year colleges and universities. For nearly three decades, Truman has been recognized as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest regional category by U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly consistently ranks Truman as one of the best master's universities in the nation. For more information about our mission and values and to see additional rankings and acknowledgments, visit
truman.edu/about .
The Community:
Located in northeast Missouri, Kirksville is a cultural and economic hub in the region. In addition to being the home of Truman, Kirksville is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine and features a medical school, dental school, and community college. The Kirksville School District is consistently recognized for academic excellence. The community takes pride in several annual events including the Red, White and Blue Festival, the Red Barn Arts and Craft Festival, and the FLATS Trail Half-Marathon. The charming downtown area features an arts center, local shops, and restaurants, and it is the site of numerous community events including weekly farmers' markets and summer concerts on the courthouse lawn. Just a few minutes outside of town is beautiful Thousand Hills State Park with hiking and biking opportunities surrounding the 700-acre Forest Lake. Kirksville offers easy access by car to Kansas City, St. Louis, and Des Moines. Daily flights from Kirksville Regional Airport to Chicago O'Hare provide quick access to one of the country's major metropolitan areas. More information about Kirksville can be found at
visitkirksville.com .
Required Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Terminal degree in Design, Animation, 3D Modeling, Game Design, or closely related professional field(s) by the start date. Ability to teach graphic design, 3D modeling, animation, video production design, and/or game design Extensive knowledge of digital design production, processes, and software, such as, but not limited to, the Adobe Creative Cloud Ecosystem, Blender, Maya, Unity, and/or the Unreal Engine Experience with alternative design production, platforms, and applications such as time-based media, VR, and/or audio Demonstrated evidence of professional or scholarly activity Commitment to collegiality within the learning community Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
Teaching or professional experience in design, modeling, animation, video production design, and/or game design Ability to teach new media courses Evidence of teacher/scholar approach to teaching Ability to mentor undergraduate research and create transformative learning experiences Evidence of commitment to liberal arts education with undergraduate student development and accomplishment Evidence of, or demonstrated potential for, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in undergraduates Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills Ability to teach in other areas as needed, including art foundations and general education topics for the wider university Posting Detail Information
Posting Number F118P
Open Date 10/07/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Faculty applications are supported by Interfolio.
To apply for this position, please click
HERE .
Complete applications must include:
a letter of application (which addresses the required and preferred qualifications for the position, and a statement discussing the applicant's teaching philosophy and commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and student development); current curriculum vitae; professional creative portfolio; a sustainable research/scholarship/creative activity plan that includes a mentorship philosophy for engaging undergraduate students in your scholarly pursuits; student work portfolio (if available); contact information for three references (including phone number and email address); and official or unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts (official graduate transcripts are required at the time of hire).
All materials must be submitted in PDF format.
Review of applications will begin 11/20/2025 and will continue until the position is filled. If hired, applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States, official graduate transcripts, or documentation of degrees if transcripts are not available. Final candidates are required to successfully pass a background check. Questions about this position may be directed to the chair of the Department of Art and Design, Aaron Neeley, ( aneeley@truman.edu ). Please include "Design Search" in the subject line.
Salary Salary is commensurate with experience.
Non Discrimination Statement
Truman State University is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring, promotion, or any other employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or Missouri law. We are committed to fair and equal treatment in all aspects of employment. Inquiries about these policies may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Officer, 660-785-4354, and
titleix@truman.edu .
Truman is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate form or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources, McClain Hall 101, 100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501, 660-785-4031 or
hrstaff@truman.edu .