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 period of time.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Light to moderate lifting is required

Travel:

Less than 5% is expected for this position    

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Exempt
• Full Time 1.0 FTE
• Permanent
• 9 Month Position. 
• Typical Work hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Salary

The salary is $60,000, and a comprehensive benefits package

Application Process 
A complete application packet includes: 

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Notice to Prospective Employees:
 The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report.  The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

• Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy

• Sexual assault policy

• Campus security policies

• Campus/community resources

• The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment

• Where to find registered sex offender information

• Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years

• Reporting crimes

 
 The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at:   www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request.   You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.

Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Discrimination Questions?

Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone, Director of Compliance
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?    
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7049 mgillman@fortlewis.edu

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.