Assistant Professor of Art & Design (tenure track)

Position Summary:

The Department of Art & Design at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado is seeking applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor in the field of Communication Design. Our department offers majors in Communication Design, Studio Art, and K12 Art Education as well as a minor in Art History and a certificate in Museum Studies. We strive to cultivate an accepting environment that empowers students to ask questions, think critically, take risks, and develop intellectual and creative curiosity. The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate dedication to teaching and mentoring and will possess a depth and breadth of both theoretical and practical knowledge in design.

Job Description:

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: ​

• Instruct three courses each semester in the areas of graphic design, digital foundations, or other courses as assigned.
• Plan and prepare teaching materials, including lectures, projects, Canvas courses, and other academic resources.
• Participate in service to the department and college, including curriculum development, academic advising, and committee work.
• Pursue ongoing professional activity in design.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508
• Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• MFA or other terminal degree in graphic design, communication design, or closely related field conferred by August 2026.
• Record of professional practice in design.
• Maintain current knowledge of and proficiency in relevant design software including Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and other industry-standard creative apps.

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• Record of teaching at the undergraduate level.
• Knowledge of and ability to teach branding and advertising design.
• Practical understanding of and ability to teach screen-based design and/or motion design.
• Awareness of contemporary industry trends and professional practices and their importance to students.
• Knowledge artificial intelligence’s role in graphic design and its incorporation into career practice in ways that prepare students for success in a changing field.
• Awareness of ethical and social responsibility in design including sustainable practices, community-based design, and improvement of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility in the field.
• Willingness to cultivate relationships with industry stakeholders and interest in collaborating with community and professional organizations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Instruct three courses each semester in the areas of graphic design, digital foundations, or other courses as assigned.
• Plan and prepare teaching materials, including lectures, projects, Canvas courses, and other academic resources.
• Participate in service to the department and college, including curriculum development, academic advising, and committee work.
• Pursue ongoing professional activity in design.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508
• Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

This position reports to the Chair of the Art Department

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended pe