"Assistant Professor of Art & Design (tenure track)"

Position Summary

The Department of Art & Design at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado is seeking applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor in the field of Communication Design. Our department offers majors in Communication Design, Studio Art, and K12 Art Education as well as a minor in Art History and a certificate in Museum Studies. We strive to cultivate an accepting environment that empowers students to ask questions, think critically, take risks, and develop intellectual and creative curiosity. The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate dedication to teaching and mentoring and will possess a depth and breadth of both theoretical and practical knowledge in design.

Job Description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Instruct three courses each semester in the areas of graphic design, digital foundations, or other courses as assigned.
• Plan and prepare teaching materials, including lectures, projects, Canvas courses, and other academic resources.
• Participate in service to the department and college, including curriculum development, academic advising, and committee work.
• Pursue ongoing professional activity in design.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508
• Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience

• MFA or other terminal degree in graphic design, communication design, or closely related field conferred by August 2026.
• Record of professional practice in design.
• Maintain current knowledge of and proficiency in relevant design software including Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and other industry-standard creative apps.

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience

• Record of teaching at the undergraduate level.
• Knowledge of and ability to teach branding and advertising design.
• Practical understanding of and ability to teach screen-based design and/or motion design.
• Awareness of contemporary industry trends and professional practices and their importance to students.
• Knowledge artificial intelligence ’s role in graphic design and its incorporation into career practice in ways that prepare students for success in a changing field.
• Awareness of ethical and social responsibility in design including sustainable practices, community-based design, and improvement of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility in the field.
• Willingness to cultivate relationships with industry stakeholders and interest in collaborating with community and professional organizations.

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility

This position reports to the Chair of the Art Department

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Light to moderate lifting is required

Travel

Less than 5% is expected for this position

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Exempt
• Full Time 1.0 FTE
• Permanent
• 9 Month Position.
• Typical Work hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Salary

The salary is $60,000, and a comprehensive benefits package

Application Process

A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position, include a link to recent design-related personal work (10-15 examples), also include a link to portfolio of student design work, if applicable (10-15 examples
• Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application Deadline

Application materials received by 11:59 p.m. on January 11, 2026, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango