Faculty - Graphic Design (Adjunct)

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College seeks an innovative part-time Graphic Design Instructor. This role involves teaching in-person courses across campuses and developing a dynamic curriculum.

We require a candidate with a Master’s degree in a relevant field and advanced mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud. Ideal instructors will mentor diverse students, preparing them for careers in the creative economy or further academic pursuits.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Fine Arts or Graphic Design from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated professional practice in graphic design, typically 2–3+ years preferred.
• Provision of a digital portfolio displaying design work.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, student-centered instruction.
• Collaborate on curriculum development and program growth.
• Provide advanced instruction in Adobe Creative Suite.

Skills

Adobe Creative Cloud

Graphic Design

Curriculum Development

Student Mentorship

Education

Master's Degree in Fine Arts or Graphic Design

Graduate-level credit hours in Art or Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Position Summary

Rowan‑Cabarrus Community College’s Department of Art & Design is seeking an engaging, innovative, and collaborative part‑time Graphic Design Instructor to join an evolving Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Advertising and Graphic Design program. This role offers the opportunity to teach in‑person courses across both our North Campus in Salisbury and South Campus in Concord, depending on semester needs. Our program is small, dynamic, and positioned for intentional growth. We are looking for an educator with strong curriculum insight who is eager to partner directly with the Department Chair to shape, build, and expand the program’s reach and impact. The ideal candidate is an industry expert with advanced mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud, with a specific emphasis on Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Because our department houses Fine Arts (AFA) and Graphic Design (AAS) together, many of our students double‑major to earn both credentials. The incoming instructor must possess the versatility to mentor a diverse student population, preparing them for both direct entry‑level employment in the creative economy and seamless transfer into related four‑year BFA or design programs.

Responsibilities

• Deliver highly engaging, student‑centered, in‑person instruction that bridges foundational design principles with current industry workflows.
• Collaborate closely with the Department Chair on strategic curriculum development, recruitment, and programmatic growth.
• Provide advanced instruction in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), fostering technical precision alongside creative problem‑solving.
• Support a diverse student body with varied career goals, offering guidance on portfolio building for both professional workforce entry and academic transfer pathways.
• Value and foster the natural overlap between fine art studio practices and commercial graphic design.
• Successfully prepare, manage, and deliver course content to achieve course objectives, accommodate diverse learning styles, and meet student learning outcomes.
• Actively engage students and provide prompt feedback in an objective, respectful, and effective manner.
• Communicate and follow course syllabus content in accordance with directions provided and administrative guidance.
• Work collaboratively with the College’s support services to identify and address students’ academic support needs.
• Utilize College technology for the delivery of instruction and completion of operational processes; this includes but is not limited to the College’s learning management system, email and calendaring solution, document management system(s), student information system, and employee portals.
• Meet deadlines, including maintaining and submitting accurate class records, employee records/requests, and other assigned tasks.
• When applicable, ensure laboratories are appropriately stocked with required supplies and equipment is in safe operating order.
• Facilitate a positive, student‑centered, and professional environment among students, faculty and staff.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Fine Arts (MFA) or Master’s Degree in Graphic Design from a regionally accredited institution.
• Alternatively, a Master’s Degree in a related field (e.g., Arts Administration, Visual Communication, or Media Arts) accompanied by at least 18 graduate‑level credit hours specifically in Art, Studio Art, Art History, or Graphic Design.
• Demonstrated professional practice in graphic design, commercial art, or an active studio art practice (typically 2–3+ years preferred).
• Advanced, demonstrable expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud programs, with an absolute mastery of Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
• Provision of a digital portfolio displaying both personal professional design work and/or student work.
• Previous experience with curriculum alignment, course mapping, or assisting in programmatic updates.
• Prior experience teaching diverse student populations within a community college setting, including mentoring both career‑bound and college‑transfer students.
• A strong background that explicitly bridges foundational traditional studio practices (like drawing, 2‑D design, or printmaking) with digital execution.
• Excellent organizational skills and reliability, with experience working in shared studio space and meeting departmental deadlines.

Optional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience in student representation at art exhibitions.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with faculty and staff.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Rowan‑Cabarrus Community College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.