CSU Post-doc: Visiting Assistant Professor of Art in Graphic Design

Position Summary:The Department of Art is seeking applications from current MFA students or post-graduates in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering at Colorado State University Fort Collins. This opportunity is available under the MOU to “Establish a Postdoctoral Opportunity between Adams State University and Colorado State University.” Primary responsibilities include teaching courses in graphic design, general education, and studio arts as determined by background and experience, as well as other duties assigned by the School Director and commensurate with the needs of the Department. The teaching load is 12 credits per semester.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with diverse faculty, staff, and students within the School of Visual and Performing Arts, and across campus. Candidates should demonstrate that they possess (1) a commitment to student-centered instruction, (2) a commitment to furthering the university’s mission of Inclusive Excellence

Mission of the Department

Our goal is to produce graduates with the ability to make connections between artmaking and all aspects of their lives, whether through continued practice as artists or other avenues of creativity and expression. Curricular revisions aim to provide students with breadth and depth of experiences in 2D, 3D, and Digital/Lens-based media that prepare students to tackle any career path they choose. Faculty support students from all backgrounds and experiences so they can thrive and grow as creative individuals. As a cultural hub for the visual arts in the San Luis Valley, the art department provides space for all to explore and enjoy the visual arts. We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies.

Minimum Qualifications

● Master of Fine Arts from Colorado State University by the start date

● A strong focus on teaching, including demonstrated college-level teaching, and professional experience in Graphic DesignDirect experience with curriculum development

● Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching and student-centered learning

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

● Commitment to valuing equity, treating cultural and linguistic diversity as assets, and promoting inclusiveness

● Ability to treat others with respect, civility, and courtesy and to work honestly, effectively, and collegiality with employees, students, and the community. This includes the ability to use appropriate conflict management skills to effectively manage any disagreement that might arise or to bring the disagreement to management for assistance in productive resolution when the situation requires.

Preferred Qualifications

● Teaching and/or professional experience in one or more of the following: motion graphics/animation, web design, digital media, or interaction design

● Ability to mentor students beyond the classroom setting in preparation for their thesis capstone exhibition

● Willingness to participate in CSU teaching professional development options prior to start date

● Willingness to participate in Adams State professional development related to teaching and pedagogy

● Knowledge of design history and its significance to current trends in practice ● Skills in communication with an ethnically and culturally diverse population including first generation and non-traditional students

● Ability to work in the interdisciplinary, collaborative liberal arts setting

● Ability or experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations, and first-generation college students.

● Ability or experience in the recruitment and/or retention of underrepresented students, including students of color.

● Commitment to professional development, scholarship, and service to the university and community.

● Demonstrated self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation towards teaching.

● Demonstrated decision-making that is informed by research, data, and theory and that leverages students' unique cultures, experiences, and background as strengths.

Salary and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $49,656 – $52,752 for a traditional 9-month academic-year appointment, commensurate with experience and education. The salary range reflects the level of the highest degree attained and assumes the minimum for an entry-level Assistant professor position to the maximum for an individual with significant experience.

In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit Opportunities for supplemental contracts may be available.

Required Documents (details below):

Completed applications should include the following:

● A detailed cover letter of application addressing teaching interest/experience as well as how professional interests and goals align with Adams vision and values.

We encourage applicants to discuss their commitment to scholarly and/or creative excellence.

Additionally, we seek to learn how scholarly/creative excellence is interwoven with their approach to service, teaching, mentoring, and affirming diverse perspectives.

● Curriculum Vitae

● Teaching Statement: (include sample course syllabi) in addition to describing your approach to teaching in general, please address the following questions:

What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting art students who have been historically marginalized in (enter discipline)?

What role should art faculty play in student success?

● Diversity Statement: please address the following questions:

Describe how your life experiences, identities, and/or professional commitments have shaped your approach to enacting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)?

How does teaching at a small HSI with a sizable population of first-generation university students set in a rural environment align with your teaching interests/experience and professional goals?

● Transcripts of all college-level work (Copies accepted. Official transcripts required upon hire.)

● Two sample project/assignment descriptions (one for each beginning and one for intermediate/advanced level) and a course semester schedule for one course as you would teach it

● Ten images of student work with assignment descriptions (PDF preferred) or link to digital portfolio

● Ten images of personal work (PDF preferred) or link to digital portfolio

● Three professional references: name, job title, and contact information (email, phone); at least one should be in a supervisory role.

Basic applications (resume, cover letter, transcripts) must be submitted at:

However, additional materials may be sent directly via email as needed to: Charise Mixa, Administrative Assistant to the Department of Art,

Inquiries: Prof. John Taylor, Chair, Art Search Committee, Only complete applications will be considered. Review of completed applications will begin immediately and continue until closed. Priority is given to applications received before May 15, 2024. This appointment begins in August 2024.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, Director Ana Guevara, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at These procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.

Adams State University is dedicated to fostering Inclusive Excellence and especially encourages applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented populations. Given the university’s mission and student body composition, the institution is committed to increasing the diversity of its professional staff and is actively seeking qualified applicants who have experiences, skills, and/or personal attributes that augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff; we will give particular consideration to qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings or who possess varied language skills and have a record of successful experience in engaging diverse communities and student populations. Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at

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