Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
University, MS, US, 38677
Note for Current UM Employees
Current employees must apply internally via connectU > connectu.olemiss.edu
Position Description
The Department of Art & Art History at The University of Mississippi invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design to begin August 21, 2025. This is a full-time, tenure-track position and requires an MFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design, or related terminal degree in the field at the time of appointment. The department is looking for an accomplished practicing designer and critically engaged educator to complement the expertise of existing faculty in the area, supporting ongoing curriculum development and contributing innovative approaches and subjects to a vibrant and growing graphic design program.
We seek candidates who will possess a strong understanding in both traditional and contemporary design practices with knowledge in emerging media and technologies. The candidate will help broaden and advance the interactive component of the graphic design program. Area of expertise may include but are not limited to: Design for Web and Mobile Platforms, Applied UI/UX, Immersive media and AR/VR, Motion Graphics, Informational Graphics, Way-Finding Systems, AI integration, or other related areas of Interactive Design. All Candidates should possess a technical mastery of industry-standard technologies and software, including the Adobe Creative Suite and have a strong foundation in typography & hierarchy.
Candidates will work with undergraduate students in both the BA in Art and the BFA in Art, emphasis in Graphic Design, as well as with graduate students pursuing the MFA in Studio Art with a focus on mentoring students through the development of portfolios in a variety of industry-related fields. The primary responsibilities for this position include sustaining an active creative practice, teaching and curriculum development, student advising, and performing service appropriate to the position including recruitment, facilities management, and participation in shared governance.
About the Department
The Department of Art & Art History is committed to fostering students’ creativity through the development of critical-thinking skills combined with intellectual inquiry. With a focus on academic excellence, creative exploration, and scholarly investigation, our students and faculty learn, evaluate, and exchange their knowledge of art history, art, and design, in an inclusive environment. Students experience a range of perspectives that prepare them for real-world practice in today’s complex world. As a community of artists and scholars we strive to be engaged global citizens as a means to propose and build new visions for the future, while examining expectations of being human in the 21st century. The department currently enrolls 130 majors with 21 full time faculty and offers a BA and BFA in Studio Art, BA in Art History, and MFA in Studio Art.
Our Department recognizes and is committed to the importance of fostering a welcoming environment for all in teaching, research, and service and maintains an enthusiasm for making the most of the opportunities to promote inclusivity in our Department, our academic field, and the broader community. Our Departmental goals are supported by the larger mission and strategic commitment to access and opportunity at the University of Mississippi and in the College of Liberal Arts.
Position Details
Appointment: 9 Month
Assignment Type: Tenure Track
Minimum Qualifications
This is a full-time, tenure-track position and requires an MFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design, or related terminal degree in the field at the time of appointment.
Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.
Application Procedures
Applicants should complete the University’s online application form AND submit the following materials through the application portal at https://careers.olemiss.edu/:
- A letter of intent detailing your qualifications and¬ interest in the position (Upload under Cover Letter)
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (Upload under Resume)
- A One-page research/creative activity statement (Upload under Additional Documents)
- A Portfolio of 20 images of your professional design work submitted as either a multiple-page PDF or a PDF with an external link to an online portfolio. All video, web and interactive work should be embedded in the PDF, or accessible through external links provided in the PDF. (Upload under Additional Documents)
Applicants who proceed beyond the initial screening may be asked to submit additional materials. Review of applications will begin January 15, 2025. The position will remain open until an adequate pool has been established. More information about the department can be found at art.olemiss.edu. Please direct inquiries about this position to Professor Tyler Barnes, Chair of the Search Committee (tsbarne1@olemiss.edu).
About the University of MS & Oxford, MS
Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi (UM), affectionately known to alumni, students and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi's flagship university. Included in the elite group of R-1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. The University of Mississippi, consistently named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For,” is located in Oxford, MS, which is ranked one of the “Top 10 Best College Towns.” With more than 24,000 students, UM is the state's largest university and is ranked among the nation's fastest-growing institutions. The University of Mississippi, which has aggressively implemented many health and wellness initiatives for its more than 2,900 employees, has consistently been named one of Mississippi’s Healthiest Workplaces.
Touted as the “Cultural Mecca of the South”, creativity abounds in Oxford as musicians, artists and writers alike find inspiration in Oxford’s rich history, small town charm and creative community. Oxford is a one-hour drive south of Memphis, TN and is known as the home of Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. Over the years Oxford has also been known for offering exceptional culinary experiences and as the home of the University of Mississippi and the Ole Miss Rebels, there is always something here to immerse yourself in. Oxford has also been featured as a literary and arts destination in such publications as The New York Times, Southern Living, Condé Nast Traveler, and GQ. Among other cultural activities, annual events include the Oxford Film Festival, a thriving local music scene, and the Ford Center Performing Arts Series. Oxford is a vibrant university town, filled with unique shops and galleries, eclectic restaurants and clubs, historic landmarks, and comfortable inns.
About the University
The University of Mississippi, the state’s flagship university, is also its largest, with a student body of approximately 24,710 students, including 20% students of color and students from over 80 countries. UM is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions and has been consistently recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The university has an R-1 Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification. The university recently launched its new strategic initiative, EmpowerNow.
About the Area
Mississippi provides a rich environment for creativity and research. The university is located in Oxford, home to a vibrant literary and arts scene, about an hour south of Memphis and three hours north of Jackson, MS. Each year the community hosts the Oxford Film Festival, the Double Decker Music Festival, and the Oxford Blues Festival, among other gatherings, and UM sponsors the Oxford Conference for the Book and a yearlong performing arts series at the Gertrude C. Ford Center among its many cultural events.
• UM Department of Art and Art History: https://art.olemiss.edu/
• UM University Museums: https://museum.olemiss.edu/
• Visit Oxford: https://visitoxfordms.com/
• Yoknapatawpha Arts Council: https://oxfordarts.com/
• Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce: https://oxfordms.com/chamber-of-commerce/
Background Check Statement
The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
EEO Statement
Nearest Major Market: Oxford Mississippi