Assistant Professor of Graphic Design – Tenure Track

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Stevens Point (WI); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision/life insurance

Tax-advantaged savings accounts

Wisconsin Retirement System pension fund

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, starting January 2027. The successful candidate will engage in undergraduate teaching and help shape a vibrant Graphic Design program. Responsibilities include teaching a 4/4 course load, mentoring students, and maintaining an active design practice.

This full-time position offers a salary ceiling of $70,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated technical expertise with industry standard software.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with image and text, context and content relationships.
• Capacity to develop and write curriculum collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Teach a 4/4 undergraduate course load in Graphic Design.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and academic advising.
• Maintain an active design or studio practice.

Skills

Technical expertise with industry standard software

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Teaching capacity in undergraduate Graphic Design

Education

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) or equivalent terminal degree

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title

Assistant Professor of Graphic Design – Tenure Track

Job Category

Faculty

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Assistant Professor

Job Duties

The Graphic Design unit at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point welcomes applications for a tenure‑track Assistant Professorship in Graphic Design, beginning in January 2027. The position offers the opportunity to teach in and help shape a vibrant program at a student‑centered teaching institution. The successful candidate should be an innovative graphic designer who is invested in preparing students for the complex, emerging challenges of the 21st century. This position focuses heavily on undergraduate teaching in a program that integrates comprehensive technical training with a rigorous critical approach. The department, housed in the School of Design and Communication in the College of Fine Arts and Communication, is a strong, devoted community of practicing artists and designers committed to its students and collegiality. The ability to interface with faculty and students in Media Studies, Professional Communication, and Graphic Design is a significant aspect of the position. The new faculty member will collaborate in defining the trajectories of both the program and department, particularly at the intersection of visual communication and media studies.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach a 4/4 (1 hour 50 minute meeting times twice a week) undergraduate course load (typically 12 credits or 4 courses per semester). Classes include B.F.A. students, as well as non‑majors, and are typically 3 credits each. Candidates are expected to be able to teach introductory, intermediate, and advanced Graphic Design courses.
• Work collaboratively and serve as an active instructor and advisor.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and academic advising to undergraduate students.
• Maintain an active design or studio practice that meets tenure expectations for creative research and scholarships at a comprehensive teaching institution.
• Participate in service activities at the department, college, university, and community levels. Seek opportunities to integrate undergraduate students into creative research or community‑based design projects.

Compensation

The Assistant Professor of Graphic Design is a full‑time, academic year (9‑month), salaried position. UWSP has recently reassessed salaries across campus; this position (9‑month) salary now has a ceiling of $70,000, commensurate with qualifications and teaching experience. In addition to this, the position offers a comprehensive benefits package, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax‑advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. To learn more about the benefits package, review the FASLI Benefit Quick Guide. Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.

Required Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree or equivalent terminal degree in Graphic Design or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated technical expertise with industry standard software.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with image and text, context and content relationships.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to teach at all levels of an undergraduate Graphic Design program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to utilize current and emerging digital platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to teach visual communication with an awareness of identity and cultural dialogue and its relevance to graphic design.
• Demonstrated ability to teach any 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.

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.