Chair, Department of Art and Design, Associate or Full Professor, Tenured

The Department of Art & Design at the University of North Dakota is seeking an Associate or Full Professor in any studio art or art history. Candidates must hold either an MFA in a studio art or PhD in art history and have a record of accomplishments that merit tenure and rank. This is a 9-month, tenured position with an additional part-time summer contract while serving as Chair, contingent on availability of funding. 

The Department of Art & Design is housed in the College of Arts & Sciences and currently offers an MFA in Visual Arts, BFAs in Visual Arts and Graphic Design, a BA in Visual Arts, and minors in Art History, Graphic Design, and Visual Arts. The department is the recipient of a generous annually recurring endowment from the Myers Foundations that supports a robust visiting artists program, curation of art exhibitions, and resources to enhance student teaching and learning among other activities. 

Established in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the oldest research university in North Dakota. Founded with a strong liberal arts foundation, it is the state’s flagship university and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having very high research activity. UND offers degrees in more than 225 fields of study and enrolls nearly 16,000 students. It is the home of the state’s only School of Law and School of Medicine. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has major initiatives in rural and public health, and Aerospace is home to one of the first and largest unmanned aerial vehicle programs in the world. 

UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a vibrant college town of over 57,000 people located on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota. Short commutes, a great public-school system, high-quality medical facilities, low crime, ample parks and theaters, and a cost of living below that found in large American cities are some of Grand Forks’ advantages. Ranked as one of the top 5 Best Small College Towns, and America’s Best Hockey Town, Grand Forks offers stellar quality of life without the metropolitan hassles. 

UND and the College of Arts & Sciences value diverse perspectives and seek applicants to help students succeed. The University of North Dakota is supportive of dual-career assistance both within the University and the local community. Please contact UND’s Recruiting Manager, Hannah Whalen (Hannah.Whalen@UND.edu), to explore dual-career opportunities. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

The successful applicant will receive a contract with an approximate distribution of 20% teaching (1/1), 20-30% research/creative activity, 10-20% service, and 40% administration effort (while serving as Chair). More specific duties and responsibilities for this position include: 

• Perform all administrative duties as Chair of the Department of Art & Design in accordance with department, college, and university policies such as faculty and staff management and evaluation, budget management, curriculum oversight, course scheduling, filing NASAD (re)accreditation and program assessment reports, etc. 
• Be responsible for alumni relations including all administrative duties related to the stewardship of the Myers Foundations (e.g., Chair of the UND Myers Foundations Committee, composing an annual report, attending the annual conference, etc.), as well as collaborating with UND Alumni Association & Foundation development officers to build strong relationships with potential donors to support activities in the department 
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in either a studio art or art history 
• Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students 
• Serve as a catalyst for attracting and supporting graduate students in the MFA in Visual Arts Program 
• Work collaboratively with the Department Art & Design’s faculty to achieve consistent and high-quality learning and research/creative activities environments 
• Establish a solid and productive research program with emphasis in areas of specialization, including seeking extramural funding to support individual and collaborative projects aligned with the UND LEADS Strategic Plan. 

Required Competencies 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• The ability to teach, inspire, and mentor students 
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students 
• Time management and organizational skills 
• Competent in using technology and the ability to adopt new tools for both on-campus and online course delivery. 

Minimum Requirements 

• Terminal degree (an MFA in a studio art or PhD in art history) 
• Record of accomplishments that merit tenure and rank of Associate or Full Professor 
• Successful completion of criminal history background check. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Leadership experience in an academic environment (e.g., as Chair or in equivalent leadership roles), including management of human and fiscal resources, and departmental facilities 
• Familiarity and experience with NASAD accreditation procedures and requirements  
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels in studio art and/or art history 
• Experience with teaching and course development for in-person and online environments, including asynchronous delivery methods 
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and supervising BFA/MFA research/creative projects 
• Record of peer-reviewed presentations and publications in quality journals and/or book presses; or success as a practicing artist with established exhibition/creative activities record 
• Record of involvement in seeking extramural funding 

To Apply 

For full consideration, applications must be received by November 12, 2026 and include the following materials: 

• Curriculum Vitae 
• Cover Letter detailing your interest in the position, your qualifications, and leadership philosophy 
• Research/Creative Activities Portfolio appropriate to the candidate’s discipline: research agenda and writing sample (15-20 pages); or artist statement and 15-20 examples of current studio artwork 
• Teaching Portfolio appropriate to the candidate’s discipline: Statement of Teaching Philosophy, 2 sample syllabi (1 introductory level and 1 advanced or graduate level), sample assignments/course materials, student evaluations, and/or student work samples (no more than 15) 
• List of three (3) references with contact information 
• Unofficial transcripts. Please note that the selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts upon hire.    

Position is open until filled. 

Questions can be directed to the Department Chair, Lucian Stone at lucian.stone@und.edu.