Assistant Professor

Position Description

The Department of Art & Design+ in the School of Design, Architecture + Art at North Dakota State University invites applications and nominations for a 9-month, full-time, benefited tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position will provide leadership in areas of programmatic need, such as UX/UI design, branding, packaging, typography, and/or emerging technologies/AI.

The Graphic Design program is part of an interdisciplinary integrated department with studio arts, design, merchandising and education. Graphic Design has existed at NDSU for approximately seven years and has demonstrated sustained growth, exceptional student outcomes, and increasing regional and national recognition. Based on this success, the program transitioned from an emphasis within Art to a standalone degree in Graphic Design. Over the past four years, NDSU students have earned the lion's share of regional ADDY awards, and graduates consistently secure strong professional placements, forming an active alumni network connected to the program. These outcomes reflect the strength of the curriculum, mentorship, and professional alignment, positioning NDSU as the definitive destination program for design studies in the region.

The Department is housed within a robust School that includes Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Apparel Design, Studio Arts, Art Education, and Graphic Design/Illustration. With more than 750 students with 80 graduate students in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the school is the largest of its kind in the immediate region and has state-of-the-art downtown facilities.

The successful candidate will play a leadership role in advancing professional practice, undergraduate education, and creative research within a student-centered, professionally oriented program. Teaching responsibilities include three undergraduate courses per semester in areas such as branding and packaging, typography, UI/UX design, graphic design history and theory, etc.

Faculty responsibilities also include scholarly research and creative activity, advising capstone and thesis students, supporting internships, participating in departmental design initiatives, shared studio management, etc. Additional expectations include holding regular on-campus office hours, attending program and departmental meetings, serving on committees, assisting with student recruitment, and contributing to student learning assessment.

Applicants must hold an MFA in Graphic Design, Communication Design, or a closely related field, or an MA in a related field with significant professional experience appropriate to the rank.

Primary Responsibilities

Teaching and Advising (Approximately 65%)

Teach three (3) courses per semester at the undergraduate level.

Instructional areas may include UX/UI, branding, packaging, typography, foundations and emerging technologies.

Advise upper-level undergraduate students

Mentor thesis and capstone students via Baccalaureate process

Engage in curriculum development and assessment.

Professional Practice Leadership

Oversee professional practice initiatives.

Foster industry engagement, internships, and experiential learning.

Ensure alignment with contemporary professional standards.

Research / Creative Activity (20%)

Maintain an active program of research, creative activity, and/or professional practice.

Contribute through exhibitions, publications, or professional work

Service (15%)

Participating in departmental, college, and university service duties

Minimum Qualifications

MFA in Graphic Design, Communication Design, or a closely related field; or MA/MS in a related field with significant professional experience appropriate to a tenured appointment.

Demonstrated commitment to effective teaching, student mentorship, and curriculum development.

Active commitment to research, scholarship, and/or creative activity appropriate to the discipline.

Ability to teach across core areas such as UI/UX design, layout and visual systems, branding and packaging, typography, graphic design history/theory, and professional practices.

Demonstrated expertise in contemporary design applications and the ability to adapt to new technologies and remain current with contemporary design practices.

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

One (1) or more years of full-time university-level teaching experience.

Experience in professional design practice.

Expertise in one or more of the following: UI/UX, community-centered design, sustainable design, emerging technologies/AI, Letter Press/Printmaking or product design.

Ability to support interdisciplinary and foundational coursework, and/or lead a community design studio providing real-world, community-engaged learning experiences.

Required Documents

Cover Letter – containing the following: statement of interest, research agenda (scholarship and/or creative activities), teaching pedagogy

Curriculum vitae

Design and Research Portfolio – An electronic or web portfolio of individual creative and scholarly work plus examples of student coursework from teaching (25 page max. and 10MB max.). A link to an online portfolio may be added.

Contact information for 3 references, including name, position, employer, email address, phone number and your professional relationship with them.

Screening will begin: 2/27/26

We collectively acknowledge that NDSU, a land grant institution, on the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples in addition to many diverse Indigenous Peoples still connected to these lands. We honor with gratitude Mother Earth and the Indigenous Peoples who have walked with her throughout generations. We will continue to learn how to live in unity with Mother Earth and build strong, mutually beneficial, trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples of our region. (see ).

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university – with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include, wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. Our main campus is located in Fargo, ND with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the state.

NDSU is the best college in ND, according to Money Magazine (September NDSU was named a 2019 Best Value College by Forbes. Fargo made 's top 10 list of cities to find a job and ranked at #11 for best places to live overall.

NDSU is an ADVANCE institution and Carnegie High Research Activity Institution.

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. §

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information:

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at or