Instructional Assistant Professor of Digital Media

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 Instructional Assistant Professor of Digital Media beginning August 21, 2025. This permanent full-time, non-tenure-track, position requires an MFA in Studio Art, or other terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience in a related field at the time of appointment. Candidates will possess a commitment and ability to teach a combination of Digital Foundations, including Digital Imaging, and others in the Expanded Media track based on the candidate’s experience. In addition to teaching a 3/3 load, this individual will handle the management and oversight of analog and digital facilities used by the Imaging Arts, Digital Media, and Graphic Design areas. This includes providing clear, consistent and transparent communication between all faculty teaching in these spaces, maintaining updated inventory systems, overseeing equipment & equipment management systems, recruiting, managing and training student monitors, implementing and overseeing health and safety protocols, and more. 

Candidates will work with undergraduate non-majors and majors in the BA in Art, the BFA in Art, as well as with graduate students pursuing the MFA in Studio Art. The primary responsibilities for this position include teaching courses at both the lower and upper division, providing management and oversight to the departmental computer and imaging arts labs, mentoring students, and performing service appropriate to the position including recruitment, facilities management, and participation in shared governance.  

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. 

Position Details

Appointment: 9 Month

Assignment Type: Non-tunure Track

Minimum Qualifications

This permanent full-time, non-tenure-track, position requires an MFA in Studio Art, or other terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience in a related 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 at https://careers.olemiss.edu/ AND submit a cover letter and updated Curriculum Vitae. Applicants who proceed beyond the initial screening may be asked to submit additional materials. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2024. 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 Bryce Heesacker, Chair of the Search Committee (bsheesac@olemiss.edu). 

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 Department 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. 
 

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.

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. 

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

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.