"Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Graphic Design, Tenure-Eligible / UMKC School of"

Hiring Department

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Media, Art and Design

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is rated R1 by the Carnegie Research Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UMKC is located in an urban environment that provides excellent opportunities for scholastic success and collaboration in the Arts, Sciences, Healthcare, Engineering, and so much more: https://www.umkc.edu/.

In UMKC’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), our vast selection of courses – spanning the arts, humanities, and social sciences – offers a rich educational experience. https://shss.umkc.edu/

The department of Media, Art and Design (MAD) provides over 180 undergraduate students with the tools, skills, and experiences essential to a contemporary creative practice. MAD offers four B.A. programs – Art History; Film and Media Arts; Media, Art and Design; and Studio Art – as well as minors in Art History; Film Studies; Media, Art and Design; and Studio Art, and an undergraduate certificate in Museum Studies. Courses in MAD emphasize creative and critical thinking, visual/verbal communication practices, and collaborative methods for creating visual works. We serve a variety of students including non-majors, non-traditional students, and first-generation students.

The department’s own UMKC Gallery of Art engages the public by hosting visiting artists, scholars, and exhibitions, which supplement coursework and provide unique interactive learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Our faculty includes actively publishing art historians and film scholars, and nationally and internationally exhibiting artists and filmmakers. Faculty engage students in high-impact learning trips – from studio visits with local artists to trips to active art hubs across the United States. https://shss.umkc.edu/areas-of-study/media-art-and-design/index.html

Job Description

The Department of Media, Art and Design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is conducting a search for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in Graphic Design. This is a full-time, benefit-eligible, 9-month tenured or tenure-track position. Specifically, we are seeking applications from candidates who possess an understanding of the practical, historical, and professional aspects of graphic design.

Candidates should have a record of working within and across a combination of graphic design mediums, including, but not limited to, visual identity development, digital illustration, character design, storyboarding and user mapping, UI/UX and interaction design, motion design and animation, and packaging design. The candidate will participate in developing new curricula for graphic design studio courses, lead experiential learning opportunities such as client-based initiatives through the Student Design Lab and work to connect students to community design partners. The candidate’s portfolio of personal, professional, and student work should demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively teach graphic design. Teaching responsibilities will primarily be in-person in a studio/workshop format, but experience with online teaching is a plus.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate an exceptional approach to their own creative research, developing and maintaining a national and international reputation through projects, writings, lectures, and other creative or academic outlets. The candidate will complement existing design faculty specializing in social practice, community design, experimental publishing, and intermedia art/design.

The selected candidate will have a fundamental role in shaping the future of the Department of Media, Art and Design (MAD) at UMKC and its flagship major, Media, Art and Design (B.A.).

The ideal candidate will make best use of the physical proximity and professional connections to museums, studios, and design organizations in the Kansas City area, working to offer students opportunities for internships, access to local and visiting artists, and enrichment programs and workshops to enhance their education.

Our academic schedules and workload provide for a positive work/life balance.

Qualifications

An M.F.A. in graphic design or an M.F.A. or Ph.D. in a related field is required. Candidates currently completing an M.F.A or Ph.D. will be considered, but the degree must be awarded by August 1, 2026.

Application Materials

For consideration, you must apply online at https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/; click in Academic Positions Job Opening ID 57602.

Please complete the online application form and provide

• a cover letter that addresses your qualifications, teaching philosophy, and approach to creative scholarship
• a current CV with full contact information for three academic and/or professional references
• a portfolio of student work (10 to 15 pieces, 11MB max file size)
• a portfolio of professional/academic work (10 to 15 pieces, 11MB max file size)

For uploaded materials, please limit the document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.).

If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.

Reasonable accommodation may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.

We will request educational transcripts for applicants who progress to the finalist stage. A Criminal Background Check is required for the candidate hired.

Questions about the position can be directed to the search committee via Professor Elijah Gowin at gowinp@umkc.edu.

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin 12/1/25 and continue until a qualified candidate is hired.