Assistant Professor, Communication Design, UC Blue Ash College

Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Professor, Communication Design, UC Blue Ash College Posting Start Date: 5/4/26 Work Arrangement: Onsite

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.

About UC Blue Ash

The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is one of the largest regional colleges in Ohio. The college is in Blue Ash, Ohio, fifteen miles north of the uptown campus, on 135 acres in a park-like setting. We offer primarily associate degrees in career and transition programs, as well as general education courses and technical baccalaureate degrees to approximately 5,100 students. We value excellent teaching and personalized student support to help students achieve their goals, whether the goal is to enter a career or to continue their education. The college is a recipient of the Cincinnati Business Courier 2021 Best Places to Work award.

Job Overview

The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty Assistant Professor position in Communication Design. The emphasis of this position is on effective teaching at the undergraduate level. The Department of Art and Visual Communication currently has six (6) full-time faculty members and eleven part-time instructors. Its Applied Graphic Communication associate degree program averages about seventy-five majors, with an additional 150 - 200 students enrolled in non-major studio and lecture courses.

Essential Functions

• Teach undergraduate Foundation, Design, and Art studio courses and first- and second-year undergraduate courses (an average of 12 contact hours per term both in-person and virtual) in Fall and Spring terms. The primary content area for this position is Design Foundations, such as but not limited to: Aesthetics, Drawing, Typography, and Photography. Will also teach courses such as but not limited to non-major courses and/or courses in Digital Media, User Experience and User Interface (UX/UI) Design as needed by the department.
• Participate in course and curricular development, including but not limited to contributing to curricular revisions and updates including further integration of UX/UI into applicable courses, as well as to program growth and development. This will include developing courses in areas such as, but not limited to, Digital Media, User Experience and User Interface Design.
• Participate in governance and service to the department and institution through participation on department, college, and university committees and other opportunities. Service examples include but are not limited to student portfolio and Capstone exhibitions and review, department representation at recruitment events, and/or college art gallery management, which would include, but not be limited to, management of student associates, setting the calendar, and curating exhibitions.
• Participate in ongoing professional activities in two subcategories: (a) professional development and (b) research, scholarship, and/or creative activity. These activities can include presenting, publishing, or exhibiting peer-reviewed work in the areas of Art, Design, and/or the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Minimum Requirements

Prior to the effective date of the appointment, all of the following are required:

• MFA In Design or a related field OR a Master's Degree in Communication Design or a related field.
• At least eighteen (18) hours of graduate coursework in the area of Information Technology.
• One (1) academic year of teaching college-level studio courses in Design or a related field.
• One (1) year of professional graphic design or related experience in the design industry.

Application Process

Applicants must apply online at https://jobs.uc.edu. Refer to REQ #102409. Upload the following documents to your application:

• Cover letter conveying how your experience relates to the position, the college's mission, and our emphasis on teaching
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Digital presentation of artistic portfolio, plus twenty examples of student work (file presentation or link to online portfolio).
• Unofficial copy of graduate transcripts for both:
  • MFA in Design or a related field OR a Master's Degree in Communication Design or a related field
  • 18 hours of graduate coursework in the area of Information Technology
• List of three (3) professional references with addresses, email, and phone contact information

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. UC Benefits Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

Salary Information: Starting at $63,000

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

Vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities

To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our Careers Page.