Academic ConnectRanked by Animation Career Review as one of the top 50 Public Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S., the SHSU Animation curriculum is built on a foundation of fine art courses, emphasizing creativity and experimentation along with technical ability. The program engages students with current and historical trends in animation and includes courses in the History of Animation, 2D Animation, 3D Modeling and Animation, 3D Character Animation and Experimental Animation.
Over 50% of the student body are first-generation college students. The Department of Art is experiencing sustained enrollment growth. About 650 undergraduates major in Graphic Design, Studio Art, Photography, and Animation, and we offer an MFA in Art and Social Practice.
The Dana G. Hoyt Fine Arts Building includes state-of-the-art lecture halls and classrooms, studios, computer labs, and galleries. In addition to the University Art Gallery on campus, the Department exhibits student work at a Satellite Gallery in downtown Huntsville and has MFA studios in the Natural Science and Art Research Center a few blocks away. Sam Houston State University is located 70 miles north of Houston in Huntsville, TX, surrounded by the Sam Houston National Forest.
The Department of Art at Sam Houston State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure track, Assistant Professor of Animation starting Fall 2025.
Duties include teaching a 2/3 course load, service on departmental committees, and an expectation of sustained, peer-reviewed creative activity or research.
Applicants should submit the following documents: a cover letter, detailed CV, artist's statement or description of creative activity, a statement of teaching philosophy, unofficial transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, names and contact information of three references, samples of personal work, samples of student work- – for time-based media work examples, please provide URLs for each specific project within the PDF document.
Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your online application; however, official college transcripts will be required for finalists for this position.
Review of applications will begin immediately, and the search will remain open until the position is filled.
Please note: References provided in the References section of the application will receive an automated email reference request at the time the application is submitted.
Candidates must possess an MFA or terminal degree in Animation or a related field and demonstrate outstanding potential in research and/or creative activity.
Applicants should be able to teach beginning courses in 2D and/or 3D Computer Animation and should have expertise in one or more of the following areas: 2D animation, 3D character animation, stop motion animation, 3D modeling and rigging, and the 3D shading and rendering pipeline.
Teaching experience at the undergraduate level is preferred. Industry experience and teaching undergraduate foundation courses in digital art and drawing is also an asset.
About Sam Houston State University For more than 140 years, Sam Houston State University has been preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement. Its motto, "The measure of a Life is its Service," resonates among its 22,000 students, eight colleges and well beyond its historical roots through research, creative endeavors, service learning, volunteering and more. SHSU is an inclusive institution whose mission is to provide high quality education, scholarship, and service to students. With over 90 bachelor degrees, 50 master’s, and 11 doctoral programs—including the nation’s first Ph.D. in forensic science, SHSU provides an exceptional college experience for every student: traditional or non-traditional; first generation; international; or online. Service to self and others is paramount at SHSU and reflected in all university organizations and programs. In fact, the university was named to USA Today’s Top 50 in the U.S. for “commitment to civic engagement and global awareness,” in addition to being classified a "Community Engaged Campus" by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. This honor, bestowed to only 311 public institutions nationwide, acknowledges the university's significant commitment to service. Sam Houston State University has a small town feel with large scale opportunities. Located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas, Huntsville provides area residents with a sense of community and belonging, although just an hour drive north of Houston. Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Sam Houston State University is an "at will" employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code § 51.215. Member The Texas State University System